Has The Caldera Update Killed Call of Duty: Warzone?
When Warzone first launched in March of 2020, it was rapidly recognised as a game-changer for the battle royale genre. It was widely regarded as one of the best titles in the space, and within weeks, it had amassed millions of users. As time went on, Warzone experienced a rocky roadmap that became studded with controversy and upset. Now, after almost two years in the market, the all-new Caldera update has come to the platform – but has it killed Call of Duty: Warzone?
There’s no huge secret surrounding the fact that Activision has found itself in hot water in recent months. It has been a difficult time for the organisation, which has been plagued by intense scrutiny following a wave of deceptive, malicious behaviour. However, opinions regarding Activision and Raven Software continue to plummet as Warzone careens downwards into a pit of endless failure.
Has the Caldera update killed Call of Duty: Warzone?
Did We Even Ask?
In recent weeks, top-tier content creators and Warzone professionals have voiced their concerns about Warzone. While fans were crying out for a brand new map, they weren’t expecting the delivery of one to be so overwhelmingly broken. Since the Caldera update dropped in early December, the entire platform has been riddled with bugs, issues, and exploits. Furthermore, following the introduction of the game’s first anti-cheat measure, Ricochet, it seems that hackers are still an issue within Warzone.
It’s worth stating that Warzone was far from perfect before Caldera was introduced. Throughout the last year, Raven Software, the developer of Warzone, has made countless blunders in its delivery and execution of updates. Ultimately, it reached a breaking point, with many world-class creators abandoning Warzone for titles like Apex Legends.
Now, less than one month after the launch of Caldera, it seems like this is happening all over again. There were countless changes made to the Warzone formula – the least of all being the core map itself. Fans are now left standing open-mouthed, gobsmacked at the sheer destruction being wrought on the battle-royale title. There are many players crying out against the changes, with the majority suggesting that they didn’t even ask for these changes to occur.
History Is Doomed To Repeat
Let’s address the claim that another mass exodus is set to occur.
In the last few days, top creator Nickmercs has lashed out against Warzone, pleading for creators to return to the Apex Legends platform.
It was also just days ago that TimTheTatman, one of the best Call of Duty streamers in the world, claimed that since the Caldera update, the game ‘feels dead’. He expressed immense fear for the future of Warzone, which has been a home for him and his fellow streamers for almost two years.
His criticism was made clear in a recorded discussion:
I don’t see anyone on the maps anymore – everything takes so long to do. You actually battled other people on Verdansk (the old map). This new map just feels dead, always. It’s the way the map plays … it must be the map design. That’s really worrying.
Elsewhere, a string of bugs and exploits have left top professional Warzone players writhing in disappointment. For instance, Aydan, arguably the world’s most prolific Warzone pro, has expressed his complete lack of interest in playing Warzone:
These concerns all combine to creator a serious sense of dread and unease for the future of Warzone. It certainly didn’t need any more bad press, but instead of updating the game in favour of the fans, Raven Software has left them crying out for a return to previous form. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but this intense bout of disappointment may throw Warzone into an irredeemable pit. Furthermore, this also does not bode well for the future of the World Series of Warzone, due to undergo a second season in 2022.
We’ll just have to watch this space.
