22 February 2023 , 10:00
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A data leak hints that a new Resurgence map for Warzone 2 is coming with Season 4, in addition to further Modern Warfare 2 updates and confirmation of Call of Duty 2023.
Activision towers has sprung a leak, and the resulting information includes fresh details about what Warzone 2 players can expect from forthcoming seasons – including mention of a new “small map” likely named Saba. So says an internal schedule detailing Call of Duty's planned content rollout, which points towards an initial May launch before following up with the 'Haunting of Saba' Halloween event in October.
The revealing data breach was first picked up by Twitter user @vxunderground, who shared images (which you can see on Reddit ) showcasing a timeline of content that Activision plans to roll out across Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone 2 between March and November. The documents date back to December of last year, but only now have come to surface, with the info allegedly obtained through a single employee’s HR Activision account. The leaked information has since been backed up by reputable insider Tom Henderson (via Insider Gaming).
Most of note in the Call of Duty leak was Activision’s release schedule for future seasons of the two shooters. Warzone 2 Season 2 recently got underway with the arrival of a new operator and new Ashika Island Resurgence map. However, judging by the following dates, it won’t be long before there are more reasons to drop in. Seasons 3 through 6 are allegedly expected to roll out like so.
- Season 3 – March 15 to May 15
- Season 4 – May 15 to July 16
- Season 5 – July 17 to September 14
- Season 6 – September 15 to November 8
The Season 4 section of the timeline makes mention of “1 Small Map” that is most likely a new Resurgence map for Warzone 2. This would bring Activision’s live-service offering more in line with what the original Warzone offered during its final few months; namely one huge Battle Royale map, and two Resurgence maps. Existing players are always looking for more ways to get into the action quicker, so this would be music of the ears of many. If not a Resurgence map, there’s a slight chance “Small Map” may refer to a new Shipment-sized location for the Modern Warfare 2 PvP.
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There are seven additional maps set to arrive before October in total, the leak suggests, consisting of both new, remastered and one that is “licensed”. The latter indicates that another crossover with a high-profile IP – similar to the Godzilla vs Kong Operation Monarch event – is coming soon.
The leak even makes mention towards Activision’s plans for Call of Duty 2023 codenamed “Jupiter”, which is now rumoured to be a fully-fledged annual release developed by Sledgehammer Games rather than a premium Modern Warfare 2 DLC. Similar to the forthcoming seasons, too, documents detail the rollout plan for Jupiter, though certain codenames remain a mystery:
- Jupiter “GL4” – April 7 to April 28
- Jupiter Alpha – May 26 to June 2
- Jupiter “GL5” – June 9 to June 30
Of course, none of the leaks have been confirmed by Activision, and with the information dating back to December there’s every chance plans might change. Regardless, it doesn’t look like Warzone 2 and Modern Warfare 2 players will need to wait long for more things to chew on. The rumoured promise of another small Resurgence map to sit alongside Ashika Island would be eaten up, in particular.
War, what is it good for?
Warzone players have made their preference for smaller maps designed with close-quarters skirmishes in mind known for a while now. That’s why the best thing Activision can do to put Warzone 2 on par with the original is to commit to a new Resurgence map as the leak heavily indicates, maintaining the excitement with the Halloween event later this year.
I personally will always be a Call of Duty campaign man at heart, so mention of “Jupiter” is of more interest to me than anything related to Warzone 2. That particular codename does make me fear that whatever sub-series Sledgehammer Games is supposedly making will move events back to space, but where else do you go after rebooting the contemporary aesthetic with the recent Modern Warfare reboots?
Regardless of where Call of Duty 2023 is set, I’m happy there’ll be another action-packed six-hour campaign to enjoy at the end of the year.