The upcoming 2025 rendition of Verdansk in Call of Duty: Warzone promises to deliver a visually enhanced experience while staying true to the original design produced by Infinity Ward. The map has been reimagined with global lighting improvements to enhance realism, and players can mark their calendars for Verdansk’s return on April 3.
Plans for the comeback of Verdansk have been eagerly anticipated since its initial launch in March 2020. This map’s return was officially teased at the COD Next event in August 2024 when Activision hinted at future developments for the ever-popular free-to-play game. At that time, specifics were scarce, though it was confirmed that the map would draw inspiration from the 2020 version crafted by Infinity Ward, known for Modern Warfare (2019). Four years later, the Call of Duty team has unveiled that Verdansk’s 2025 update will introduce several modifications to refresh and refine the experience for current players.
In a recent social media announcement, Call of Duty’s developers laid out the exciting updates awaiting players with the Warzone Season 3 update, expected to drop on April 3. The layout of Verdansk remains familiar, but the reimagined map benefits from “more detail and higher definition,” thanks to cutting-edge technology upgrades. This project has been a collaborative venture involving Beenox, Raven Software, and High Moon Studios, each team committed to honoring Infinity Ward’s benchmark design.
One highlight from the behind-the-scenes insights reveals that Verdansk’s lighting has been overhauled to give a more lifelike appearance, while keeping the nostalgic vibe that veterans of the game cherish. Enhancements include a high-resolution sky, better light bounce, reflections, and meticulous attention to the quality and accuracy of light transitions between indoor and outdoor settings. Additionally, there’s now improved depth backlighting and shadows, thanks to revamped materials that create a more natural look. In another video, which was later taken down, it was revealed that some areas would offer more cover options to shield players from exposure when navigating Verdansk’s strategic points.
Some fans may have hoped for an unaltered return of the original Verdansk, but it’s reassuring to see the dedication to leveraging modern technology to breathe new life into the classic map. This revamp ensures vivid visual fidelity without losing the beloved map’s contours. Players itching to dive back in will truly appreciate these updates when they debut with Season 3, maximizing the strategic potential and visual splendor of the refreshed Verdansk.
