Call of Duty: Warzone is a free-to-play battle royale
video game released on March 10, 2020, for the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC.
The game is a part of the 2019 title Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, but does not
require purchase of it. Warzone was developed by Infinity Ward and Raven
Software and published by Activision. Warzone allows online multiplayer combat
among 150 players set in the fictional city of Verdansk, and features both
cross-platform play and cross-platform progression between both games.
Gameplay
Warzone features two game modes: Battle Royale and
Plunder. While battle royale is a genre popularized by games like Fortnite, the
"plunder" gameplay mode is related to the in-game currency mechanic
and is unique to Warzone. It is the second main battle royale installment in
the Call of Duty franchise, following the "Blackout" mode of Call of
Duty: Black Ops 4 (2018). Warzone differs from Black Ops 4 by reducing reliance
on equipable gadgets and instead encouraging the accumulation of a new in-game
currency called Cash. Warzone supports up to 150 players in a single match,
which exceeds the typical size of 100 players seen in other battle royale
titles.
The battle royale mode is similar to other titles in
the genre where players compete in a continuously shrinking map to be the last
player remaining. Players parachute onto a large game map where they encounter
other players. As the game progresses and players are eliminated, the playable
area shrinks forcing the remaining players into tighter spaces. In Warzone, the
non-playable areas become contaminated with a green gas that depletes health
and eventually kills the player if they do not return to the safe playable area.
Unlike other titles, Warzone introduces a new respawn mechanic, a greater
emphasis on vehicles, and a new in-game currency mechanic.
By Santiago Sandoval, Step 10.
