Verdansk Boosts Warzone, Developers Confirm Its Staying

Verdansk’s return has undeniably injected fresh energy into *Call of Duty: Warzone*, and it arrived just in time to revive interest in the long-running battle royale. After five years, many across the internet had already written off Activision’s iconic free-to-play shooter as “cooked.” But then came Verdansk — a nostalgic trip back to the map that started it all. The result? A dramatic turnaround. Now, the same corners of the web that once declared *Warzone* dead are proclaiming it “back,” and for good reason.

Even though Verdansk was famously nuked in a dramatic in-game event, its legacy never truly faded. Players who once flocked to *Warzone* during lockdowns are now returning, drawn by the familiar layout and gameplay rhythm of the original map. Meanwhile, loyal fans who’ve stuck around through every iteration say the game feels more enjoyable now than at any point since its explosive 2020 launch.

This reinvigorated, back-to-basics approach wasn’t accidental — it was a strategic move by developers Raven Software and Beenox. Pete Actipis, *Warzone*’s game director at Raven, and Etienne Pouliot, creative director at Beenox, played central roles in this revival. Together, they helped lead the multi-studio collaboration that brought Verdansk back into the fold.

In an exclusive interview with IGN, Actipis and Pouliot shared insights into the design philosophy behind Verdansk’s return, the unexpected success of the Casual mode, and whether the team ever considered restricting operator skins to a more military-simulated (mil-sim) aesthetic for authenticity. They also tackled one of the most pressing questions from the community: Is Verdansk here to stay?

Read on to discover the full story behind *Warzone*’s resurgence and what lies ahead for one of gaming’s most enduring battle royales.