TheCall of Dutyfranchise is bigger than it has ever been before, as the rise of Call of Duty: Warzonehas allowed the series to reach a larger audience than ever before. The free-to-play nature of the battle royale game has found incredible success, with word-of-mouth constantly spreading via fans, streamers, and celebrities. A high player count andthe always-solid IW8 enginehave given the mode a good foundation to build from, while unique features like the Gulag have given it personality. However, some fans still preferCall of Duty’s first attempt at a battle royale mode.
TheCall of Dutyseries experimented with the genre back in 2018’sCall of Duty: Black Ops 4, with the mode quickly gaining a loyal fan base due to its unique features and mechanics. Unfortunately,Call of Duty: Warzone’s success has seen the mode abandoned, something that feels more clear than ever before due to the recent Ural Mountains leaks. With a Blackout follow-up supposedly scrapped forCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, and a map seemingly ready to go, perhaps Activision should revisit the idea and revive the fan favorite mode.
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Pro: A Brand-New Map
For some time now, players have been led to believe thatCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’s Fireteam maps would be used to forge a proper battle royale map. Not only did leaks say as much, but this is exactly what was done with the Ground War maps inCall of Duty: Modern Warfare. Apparently, this was the plan, withCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold Warmeant to havea sequel to Blackoutthat saw players fighting through the Ural Mountains. Treyarch-specific mechanics such as swimming and water-based vehicles would supposedly be included, immediately setting the map apart from Verdansk.
Not only would the map supposedly have 250 players, but players have actually seen the mini mapdesign for the Ural Mountains. Boasting a similar color pattern to the first Blackout mode’s map, the bright location would serve as a solid change of pace from the dark and dreary Verdansk. Further, the map leaned into a more absurd design philosophy, with cities and forests seen just a few hundred feet from snow-covered mountain tops. From ski slopes to a retreat-like Sanatorium and a detailed Zoo, the map seems to have had an impressive amount of variety. If Blackout came back, so could this scrapped map.
Con: Killing The Warzone Craze
From a business perspective, it does make sense why Activision shut down the Blackout follow-up. The company had no idea thatCall of Duty: Warzonewouldbecome the success that it has, and now that it is such a massive hit, compromising that success via a similar game mode could be a mistake. IfCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold Warfans did get a Blackout sequel, there is a chance they could stick with the mode instead of playingCall of Duty: Warzone. With the games meant to be integrated going forward, another battle royale offering that is exclusive to one title instantly gets in the way of that.
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Pro: Returning Blackout Mechanics
Part of what makes Blackout so popular is its unique mechanics, something that Activision could lean into if the mode returned. This way, it could be marketed as a completely different experience fromCall of Duty: Warzone, allowing both battle royale offerings to thrive. Blackout’s use of Zombies, for example, was much more refined thanCall of Duty: Warzone’s. Occasional mini boss fights, Mystery Box rewards, andZombies-exclusive Wonder Weaponsmade the PvE areas feel meaningful. Players also knew exactly which areas to avoid and go to for fights with the undead, as each was themed around a specific Zombies map or area.
Beyond just Zombies, Blackout’s Specialist gear added another layer to gameplay. Players could pick up powerful killstreak weapons like the War Machine or Sparrow, while tools like the Grappling Hook and Sensor Darts allowed for crafty approaches to fights. The lack of loadouts also made the process of building up a weapon essential.Unlockable characters like Edward Richtofenand Alex Mason gave players tough missions to focus on in their games, offering far more meaningful rewards than just some XP, Calling Cards, or emblems. Further, with less weapons to manage and a dedicated studio working on the game, Blackout received consistent updates that brought balance changes and new content. The same could happen if the mode returned, with Treyarch making the new version of the mode even better due to feedback from the first Blackout release.
Con: Too Much Of The Same
Still, while Blackout andCall of Duty: Warzonedo have very different styles and mechanics, they are in the same exact genre — something that instantly makes the former’s comeback less likely. There are alreadyplenty of battle royale gamesavailable, something that could instantly lead to less interest in a Blackout comeback. While tons of gamers still love to play battle royale titles, a growing number of players is burnt out with this style of gameplay. Activision surely knows this, making its decision to axe the mode even more understandable.
With the battle royale genre oversaturated as is, throwing another mode into the mix could see it getting lost in the sea of great battle royale games. Further, assuming that it would be added toCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, there is the tough task of asking players to pay a premium price tag just to play the Blackout follow-up. WithCall of Dutyfanshaving access toCall of Duty: Warzonefor free already, convincing players to buy a fully priced title just for more battle royale content seems like an uphill battle. Even if players do prefer Blackout’s gameplay loop over the juggernaut that isCall of Duty: Warzone, it is tough to beat a free-to-play game with a similar level of quality.
Call of Dutyfans that were desperate for250 player matchesand a fully original map are understandably let down by the rumors about Ural Mountains being scrapped. The further news that a Blackout follow-up was also stopped in its tracks stings even more, as there are many that still love to play the original. The decision is understandable, however. Love it or hate it,Call of Duty: Warzoneis the top priority for the franchise at the moment, and Blackout challenging for the game’s throne is something that Activision likely does not want to risk. As such, while it would be great toCall of Dutybring back Blackout due to its many strengths, it seems very unlikely.
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