Raven Software has revealed that Call of Duty: Warzone is now testing a larger number of players in its Battle Royale mode, raising the limit from 120 to 150 players on the Urzikstan map. The test is one of the developer’s normal experiments to optimize gameplay and make preparations for future updates, and could indicate that the Verdansk map will be brought back with Season 3.
The adjustment to player counts was announced in a recent post from Raven Software, in which the developer revealed that the test will be used to try performance, match flow, and player feedback. It is not the first time that Warzone has tested player counts. Older builds of the game used to tweak lobby sizes by map layout and community feedback, with developers fine-tuning the experience to deliver balanced pacing.
Adding testing 150 players has also raised speculation among fans that Verdansk might be back after a long break. Verdansk is among the biggest maps in the franchise and initially had 150-player lobbies when it last made a comeback in 2021. The highly balanced map layout and quick gameplay made it a favorite among the fans, and its comeback would be appreciated by the fans.
Warzone’s current map, Urzikstan, allowed for 100 players on day one and in mid-2024, ramped up support to 120 players. This latest change might be reacting to player outcry that the experience must be more energetic and exciting. Additional players place more emphasis on more fights taking place, rendering downtime between encounters greater and game loop length reduced.
Raven Software assured gamers that they will monitor closely during the test phase and tweak if necessary. If the tweak works, the higher player count could become a norm in future patches.
With the rumored return of Verdansk and ongoing integration with Black Ops 6, Warzone appears to be gearing up for one of its biggest seasons yet. Fans can expect more information in the weeks ahead as the developers refine the experience and reveal their long-term plans for the game.
