Verdansk Boosts Warzone, Here to Stay, Say Developers

It’s undeniable that Verdansk has injected new vitality into *Call of Duty: Warzone*, arriving at a pivotal moment. Previously, the online community had branded Activision’s five-year-old battle royale as "cooked," but the nostalgic return of Verdansk has shifted the narrative. Now, the internet is buzzing with claims that *Warzone* is "back." Despite the dramatic event where Activision metaphorically nuked Verdansk, it seems to have little impact on its resurgence. Players who cherished *Warzone* during the lockdown period are flocking back to the iconic map that started it all, while long-time fans who remained loyal through the game’s ups and downs over the past five years are proclaiming that *Warzone* is now more enjoyable than it has been since its explosive debut in 2020.

This return to fundamental gameplay was a strategic choice made by the developers at Raven and Beenox. Pete Actipis, the game director at Raven, and Etienne Pouliot, the creative director at Beenox, collaborated across studios to revitalize *Warzone*. In an extensive interview with IGN, they delve into their approach to this revival, highlight the success of Verdansk's Casual mode, and discuss whether they considered restricting operator skins to mil-sim styles to recapture the 2020 vibe. Most importantly, they address the burning question on everyone’s mind: Is Verdansk here to stay?

Read on to uncover the full story.