Summary
- A leak suggests Call of Duty 2026 might not update Warzone if Verdansk doesn't retain or gain players.
- The potential disconnection between premium title integration could mark a significant change for the game.
- The success of Verdansk's return to Warzone could be crucial for maintaining player interest and the title's future.
A new report from a reputable leaker hints at potential bad news for the future of Call of Duty: Warzone, particularly impacting the game’s 2026 schedule. This follows the recent delay of Season 3 for Call of Duty: Warzone and Black Ops 6, raising concerns among fans of the free-to-play battle royale.
The evolution of the Call of Duty franchise has seen constant shifts in content, including maps, weapons, modes, and features. In many cases, this content is either reused, modified to fit different development teams’ titles, or scrapped entirely, sometimes resurfacing unexpectedly in future projects. With the introduction of Warzone, these instances have become more frequent, primarily because its integration with premium Call of Duty titles has become a key selling point – especially since Warzone itself remains free to play. This has occasionally caused delays in the release of large-scale Warzone maps, extending the lifecycles of existing ones. In other cases, maps have been abandoned altogether. This pattern extends beyond just maps – events, weapons, modes, and other content have also faced similar treatment, either being repurposed, delayed, or left behind.
Call of Duty: Warzone Leaks Returning Verdansk POIs
A new Call of Duty: Warzone leak potentially reveals all the Verdansk POIs set to return to the popular battle royale map.
According to a report shared on Twitter by reputable Call of Duty leaker TheGhostOfHope, Call of Duty 2026 – which is reportedly being developed by Infinity Ward and set in the Modern Warfare universe – may not include a major update for Warzone if the return of Verdansk “fails to retain current/returning players." If this scenario unfolds, it could disrupt the established schedule where content from the annual premium title is integrated into Warzone, creating a unified experience for players. This uncertainty raises questions about the battle royale’s future.
Warzone’s Future May Be at Risk if Verdansk’s Return Falls Short
While Warzone has faced delays and cancelations in content updates, there has never been a situation as extreme as the possibility of losing integration with the premium title. Such a scenario would force players to seek alternatives to continue enjoying the game. This long-standing tradition of connectivity between Call of Duty titles has remained intact since Warzone’s launch alongside Modern Warfare (2019), continuing through to Black Ops 6 – spanning over five years and six different games in the franchise.
To avoid this situation, the success of Verdansk’s long-awaited return to Warzone could be crucial – something Activision appears committed to achieving. To accomplish this, the company is reportedly bringing back content from the original version of the free-to-play game, including operators, weapons, and features, aiming to recreate what many consider the game’s peak experience. Adding to the suspense, Black Ops 6 and Warzone's Season 3 has been delayed by nearly 15 days, the timeframe in which Verdansk is expected to return. This extended wait has only intensified player expectations, as many eagerly await the map’s comeback and its potential impact on Warzone’s future.
This situation could put the battle royale title at a crossroads – Activision must ensure Warzone's Verdansk update performs to maintain or grow the game’s popularity and player base. If it fails, the consequences could be significant. However, much remains uncertain, as development changes could still occur before Verdansk’s impact becomes clear and before Call of Duty 2026 arrives.
Call of Duty: Warzone
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 80 /100 Critics Rec: 78%
- Released
- March 10, 2020
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Drugs, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Infinity Ward, Raven Software
- Publisher(s)
- Activision
- Engine
- IW 8.0 & IW 9.0 (Warzone 2.0)
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
WHERE TO PLAY
Welcome to Call of Duty®: Warzone™, the massive free-to-play combat arena which now features Urzikstan, Rebirth Island and Fortune’s Keep.
Turn the Heat Up
Prepare to take the battle to a new metropolis in the all-new Urzikstan map, the new big Battle Royale map. Jump in to celebrate the epic return of Rebirth Island and Fortune’s Keep, two Resurgence maps that are sure to excite veterans and newcomers alike.
Loot For Rewards
Discover supply boxes and complete contracts to build your arsenal and gain a tactical advantage.
A Game Pass Core subscription is not required to play Call of Duty®: Warzone™. All other online modes still require Game Pass Core.
A mobile phone number may be required to be linked to your Activision account to play Call of Duty®: Warzone™.
- Cross Save
- YES
- Franchise
- Call of Duty
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- no
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- November 16, 2022
- PS5 Release Date
- November 16, 2022
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter, Battle Royale
- Platform(s)
- Xbox One, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- How Long To Beat
- 30-36 hours
- X|S Optimized
- YES
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
