The Call of Duty franchise hit a milestone in March 2020 with the launch of Warzone, a battle royale that reshaped the gaming landscape. Now, five years on, fans are still jumping into the action. To mark the anniversary, Raven Software is bringing back Verdansk, the map that started it all. But this nostalgic celebration comes with a surprising twist: Call of Duty almost ventured into the battle royale genre years earlier than anyone expected.
Call of Duty’s Missed Opportunity in Battle Royale
Recent discoveries have unveiled an intriguing “what if” for Call of Duty fans. Assets from Call of Duty: World War II (WW2) suggest Activision was toying with the idea of a battle royale mode as early as 2017. These files, uncovered by X user Lierrmm, showcase fragments of an unreleased battle royale map. Had this vision materialized, it would’ve predated Warzone and even Blackout—the mode that debuted with Black Ops 4—by a year.
Released in 2017, WW2 marked a return to traditional “boots-on-the-ground” gameplay after years of advanced movement mechanics dominating the series. Pairing this gameplay style with a battle royale set during World War II could’ve been revolutionary. This was before Fortnite and PUBG turned the genre into a global sensation. The blend of historical weaponry and grounded combat mechanics could have created a unique take, steering the franchise in a bold new direction.
What Fans Say About the Lost Mode
The gaming community is abuzz with speculation and frustration over what could have been. A World War II-themed battle royale with an arsenal of period-specific weapons and straightforward mechanics might have set Call of Duty apart from its competitors. For many, the discovery of these assets feels like uncovering a hidden chapter of gaming history—a glimpse of a potential turning point that never came to fruition.
Blackout: The First Taste of Battle Royale in Call of Duty
Fast forward to 2018, and Call of Duty finally introduced its first battle royale mode with Blackout in Black Ops 4. While groundbreaking at the time, Blackout was a different beast compared to the Warzone experience players know today. It abandoned the loadout system that has since become synonymous with the franchise, instead focusing on scavenging for attachments to customize weapons on the fly. This dynamic added unpredictability and variety to each match, forcing players to adapt to the equipment they found.
The Blackout map also stood out, blending locations from iconic Black Ops games into one sprawling arena. It was a fresh, innovative take on battle royale, yet it struggled to achieve the widespread appeal of Warzone. Many fans look back on Blackout fondly, viewing it as a missed opportunity that laid the groundwork for the runaway success that would follow.
Why Did Blackout Fall Short?
Several factors played into Blackout’s relative underperformance:
- It was locked behind a full-price game, unlike the free-to-play Warzone.
- The lack of crossplay limited its player base, making it harder for friends on different platforms to team up.
- Its reliance on scavenging for attachments, while innovative, was less appealing to casual players compared to Warzone’s streamlined loadout system.
Despite its limitations, Blackout remains a fan favorite for its creativity and the nostalgic value of its map design.
Verdansk’s Return: A Celebration of Warzone’s Legacy
In 2025, Warzone celebrates its fifth anniversary by reintroducing Verdansk into the rotation. For long-time players, it’s a chance to revisit the map that defined Warzone’s early days. From the towering skyscrapers of Downtown to the chaotic battles at Superstore, Verdansk holds a special place in the hearts of millions.
This move also reflects the enduring appeal of battle royale games. Even as new modes and maps emerge, there’s something timeless about the original experience. Verdansk’s return is more than a nostalgia trip—it’s a testament to the longevity of Warzone and the community that continues to keep it alive.
As fans prepare to drop back into Verdansk, the resurfaced news about WW2’s abandoned battle royale offers a fascinating glimpse at what could’ve been. Call of Duty has seen many twists and turns in its storied history, but one thing remains clear: the franchise knows how to keep players coming back for more.
