Since the release of the new map “Verdansk ’84”, Call of Duty: Warzone shines in a new light. The weapon meta is much better, the map is quite different in many locations, and the lighting conditions on the new map have changed as well. However, the new lighting disturbs many players – the lead developer of visual effects has now responded.
What is it about? Season 3 of Call of Duty: Warzone brought many strong changes and improved the Battle Royale. There was new content, refreshing changes in the weapon meta, and with the Mid-Season Update, a cool event featuring two action heroes from the 80s started.
However, not everything has gone smoothly. Many players have been complaining since the introduction of the new map “Verdansk ’84” about issues with lighting during matches:
- In dark areas, the game is too dark
- In bright areas, Warzone is too bright
- The transition between areas with different lighting conditions is too harsh
- When looking from dark areas to bright areas, visibility is poor
- Strong sun glare disrupts visibility
- The lens effect when aiming towards the sun is very strong
YouTube videos about the right graphic settings and filters were as popular at the start of the new map as tips on the best weapons in Warzone. And at least regarding the strong lens effect when aiming towards the sun, there is a response from a senior Warzone developer, who is personally taking care of the matter.
“Now I know what I have to do on Monday”
What did the developer respond to? On Twitter, Warzone developer Reed Shingledecker responded to an article from the US news site “Dexerto”. Shingledecker, as Lead VFX Artist for Warzone, is responsible for some of the visual effects. On Twitter, he wrote:
Is this true? Is the sun lens effect in Verdansk ’84 bothering you? I can simply tone it down if needed. […] Looks like I know what I have to do on Monday.
Reed Shingledecker on Twitter (via CharlieIntel)
What happened next? However, many players wanted more than just an adjustment of the lens effect. The developer Shingledecker’s Twitter account was flooded with requests for better visibility. There were complaints about a haze effect that overlays the field of view when looking from a dark area to a brighter area (via reddit) – the thread creator says: “Visibility is awful”.
Meanwhile, Shingledecker’s Twitter account is no longer accessible. The developer also issued a statement that he has no control over many aspects of lighting in Warzone, but then his Twitter account disappeared:
There seems to be some confusion about which adjustments I have control over. I can only adjust the brightness of the lens effect on the screen. […] I have NO control over the haze, sun glare, or the actual brightness of the sun.
Reed Shingledecker on Twitter (via CharlieIntel)
You can therefore expect that the lens effect when aiming will be adjusted soon. However, Shingledecker has no influence over further changes to the lighting conditions in Warzone. The developer refers to the Twitter account of “@RavenSoftware” – if you have feedback about the lighting, you can share your thoughts with the development studio under the hashtag #Warzone.
Players wish for new lighting like on Rebirth Island
The lighting problem on Verdansk ’84 is perceived by many players as solvable, and therefore there is currently a lot of feedback on the topic. This is also because the second map of Warzone – Rebirth Island – received new lighting conditions with the Mid-Season Update of Season 3:
The entire map is now significantly brighter and many places are better illuminated. There are also fewer issues with differing brightness levels. Players now hope for this as well for Verdansk:
Tweet translation: “The lighting like on Rebirth Island after the Mid-Season Update of Season 3 would be the best, if possible. I really love the lighting there.”
Currently, no further statements from the developers regarding the lighting conditions in Verdansk ’84 can be found. However, player criticism has reached the Warzone creators, and it is likely that further adjustments to the lighting in Verdansk will be made. As long as there are pitch-black spots in Verdansk, you can continue to rely on dark skins in Warzone that give you advantages in the dark.
