For Call of Duty: Warzone, there are numerous theories about how the map is evolving or whether there might soon be a completely new map. MeinMMO author Maik Schneider can hardly wait to see how the Battle Royale continues after the recent statements from a developer.
What were those statements? During a charity stream for “Juneteenth” last Friday, June 19, two employees of Call of Duty: Warzone talked a bit about the future of the Battle Royale. Present were:
- Taylor Kurosaki – Narrative Director at Infinity Ward
- Jeff Leach – Voice actor for Ghost
Together with some streamers, they played a few rounds in the new realism mode, casually discussing the BR map Verdansk and also confirming the release of the cult operator Soap.
Especially interesting were the statements of “Narrative Director” Kurosaki, who explicitly rejected a new map in Warzone. But still, I am more curious than ever about how Warzone will continue.
Because aside from the new map “Urzikstan”, many of the speculations currently circulating could indeed become reality – Kurosaki: “You just have to wait, […] we have some big changes and big surprises on the horizon”.
Here are two English gameplay videos from the stream, where Kurosaki chats with Leach about the future of Warzone:
What can be seen in the videos? In the first, short clip, you can hear the two talk about the completion of the legendary “Modern Warfare” unit “Task Force 141”. Leach suggests that Soap would be coming soon, and Kurosaki adds: “He is definitely on the way”.
The second video is about 2 minutes long, and Leach asks several questions about Verdansk and the development of the game. Kurosaki provides some interesting answers and clarifies: “We are not done with Verdansk yet”.
What did Kurosaki say about the current map? In his statement, he commits to Verdansk and makes it clear that we will be on the BR map for a while longer. Specifically, he said:
- “Verdansk has just begun to reveal its secrets”
- “There are still many places to discover and mysteries to solve”
- “The story [of Verdansk] is right here, it’s everywhere on the map, it’s under your feet”
- “Verdansk still has many stories to tell”
- “You just have to wait, […] we have some big changes and big surprises on the horizon”
Why is this so exciting? The way Call of Duty drives the story of Warzone forward is something very special. Several factors come together that hype me:
- The complexity of the previous adjustments
- Countless players investing a lot of time into discovering the secrets
- The connection of story and gameplay
All you have to do is look at the developments around the bunkers.
- Since the release of Warzone, they have been considered the biggest secret
- With the opening of the bunkers, a tricky Easter egg was introduced that even offers a reward
- Additionally, the bunkers are loot vaults, thus also changing the gameplay
- Inside the bunkers, there are more secrets and locked doors
They connect story with new gameplay, a significant Easter egg involving nuclear bombs, and there’s even a blueprint as a reward when you solve the puzzle around bunker 11. They also leave plenty of secrets open for further speculation and fuel the rumors with their cutscenes.
By now, I am almost inclined to classify all data findings and leaks as “very possible” – be they underground transit stations, a flooding of the map after a dam break, or the introduction of a party mode into the Battle Royale.
What I previously absolutely did not want to believe was, by the way, the timely introduction of a new map. And exactly this seems to be off the table for now after Kurosaki’s statements. I am really curious about what crazy changes are coming our way in the next weeks and months.
Do you see it the same way, or does it annoy you that we actually only know what’s coming through leaks and vague statements from the developers?
