game news Call of Duty Warzone 2: Map, AI, news, the developers tell us everything!
Yes, during the latest Call of Duty Next, Activision and Infinity Ward studio finally lifted the veil on Warzone 2.0, the sequel to the famous free-to-play Battle Royale. First, it’s still free to play, second, you’ll benefit from all of Modern Warfare 2’s gameplay enhancements. To find out more, we were able to chat with Eric Biessman and Jack O’Hara, Senior Creative Director respectively at Raven Software and Game Director. in Infinity Ward (several teams are prepared for this project). As you can see, we have a lot of interesting information. Hop, on the track!
After Verdansk and Caldera, what is your goal with the Warzone 2.0 map?
Eric Biessman, Senior Creative Director (Raven Software):
“That’s a very good question. I think the most important point is that we always want to offer new gameplay! We learned from the last 3 years about Warzone, what people liked and didn’t like. And by reviewing With this information, we know we want smoother handling, multiple ways to engage players When you go to Al Mazrah (new Warzone 2.0 map – free-to-play scheduled for November 16, 2022 on PC and consoles, editor’s note) you see, it is a summary of our best learning”.
“Also, the biggest change (in Warzone 2.0, editor’s note) is the water. From the point of view of the maps, now you can swim, there are boats”.
Jack O’Hara, Game Director (Infinity Ward):
“(For Warzone 2.0, editor’s note) we have new technology for water, also for terrain, so we’re excited about Al Mazrah, but when we were doing the first Warzone, we were developing a lot of tools along with the creation of Verdansk (map cult of the previous game, editor’s note). This time we had all the tools from the beginning. So we were able to take more time to prepare the map, be more judicious, try more things. It allowed us to sit down and plan the map from the beginning, its various infrastructures, the paths that lead to the points of interest (…) and how these differ from each other.”
“We have, for example, the Casco Viejo, a corner surrounded by high walls that gives interesting and dense urban fights. Then there is also the Village of Sawah, half under water, with a whole part demolished on the sides. You walk with the water up to your chest, you can take vehicles since the water is quite deep. Then you can go to the Caves, with a boat to explore the underground. We were able to give a lot of variety within each game space.”
We understand that Al Mazrah would be the largest map!
Eric Biessman, Senior Creative Director (Raven Software):
“You could do a size comparison, but I don’t have a good way to report it. It’s bigger (than Verdansk or Caldera, editor’s note). I am sorry ! (laughs).”
In Warzone 2.0, you bet on the AI. Can you explain us?
Eric Biessman, Senior Creative Director (Raven Software):
“We wanted to create more threats, more activities for the player (…) When you fall on the map, there are AI scattered all over the terrain, if you enter a building, you will be able to fight them. It’s your story, your decisions, right? If you try and there are repeat shots, your opponents (real players, editor’s note) will know you’re close. You can also try a more discreet approach. The AIs get the best loot because crates and items on shelves and floors are much more common in buildings than in the deserted city.”
“As the game progresses, you will unlock “Strong Holds”, places planned up the river with AI. It’s like a little quest. You enter it, destroy all the AI, defuse a bomb, then you will be rewarded with a key to enter the “Black Site”. Here, the idea is the same, it’s populated by AI, except there’s a boss. If you win against him, you will get a special reward. That’s how he’s evolving on that side.”
“As for the Gulag, we are experimenting with a character called Jailer. He is a secondary threat. The goal, in the Gulag, will sometimes be to take out the other team (new to Warzone, note). It’s 2v2, the Jailer shakes things up a bit (…) he’s there to threaten and challenge the players, even if the goal is still to beat the other team and get their place back in the game.”
Jack O’Hara, Game Director (Infinity Ward):
“At launch, between the Battle Royale experience and DMZ (recently announced sandbox mode, editor’s note), I think people will already have a lot to do! Then we have other things to come during the seasons. We have teams that started working on Season 2 six months ago. We will always seek the highest quality in terms of content. We will update the game every season as much as possible.”