It's undeniable that Verdansk has breathed new life into Call of Duty: Warzone at a critical juncture. With the internet previously labeling Activision’s now five-year-old battle royale as "cooked," the nostalgia-driven return of Verdansk has dramatically shifted opinions, with many now proclaiming Warzone to be "back." Despite the dramatic nuking of Verdansk in the game's storyline, it hasn't deterred players. Both returning players, who fondly recall Warzone as their lockdown entertainment, and those who have remained loyal through the game's ups and downs over the past five years, agree: Warzone is now more enjoyable than it has been since its explosive debut in 2020.

This rejuvenation was a deliberate choice by developers Raven and Beenox, who aimed to bring the game back to its roots. In a comprehensive interview with IGN, Pete Actipis, game director at Raven, and Etienne Pouliot, creative director at Beenox, delved into the collaborative efforts across multiple studios to revitalize Warzone. They discussed the strategy behind the return, the triumph of Verdansk's Casual mode, and whether they contemplated restricting operator skins to mil-sim styles to recapture the 2020 vibe. Crucially, they also addressed the burning question on everyone's mind: is Verdansk here to stay?

Read on to discover more about these developments and the future of Call of Duty: Warzone.