The Call of Duty shop has officially confirmed the release of a new merchandise collection inspired by the Verdansk battle royale map from Call of Duty: Warzone. This collection gives players the opportunity to own items themed around what many consider one of the best maps in Call of Duty: Warzone history.
In 2022, during Modern Warfare 2's lifecycle, Call of Duty introduced an online merchandise and apparel store, allowing players to purchase officially licensed franchise items. This included clothing and items featuring designs inspired by various game modes, such as Zombies, Multiplayer, and Warzone. Additionally, the CoD Store has provided exclusive in-game content as bonuses with certain purchases, granting buyers special rewards like weapon camos and other cosmetic items.
Recently, Twitter user maaxiim_s discovered that the Call of Duty shop is preparing to release a collection themed around Verdansk, the original Call of Duty: Warzone map that is making its return to the game after nearly three years. This discovery came when a pop-up appeared in the shop, announcing the collection along with a countdown that confirmed its release on March 10. This date coincides with the fifth anniversary of Warzone, as the game originally launched on that day in 2020.
The Verdansk-themed merchandise is being released to celebrate both its return to Call of Duty: Warzone and the game’s fifth anniversary. However, it also suggests that the map’s return to the free-to-play battle royale is near. Verdansk is reportedly set to return with Warzone‘s Season 3 update, expected to start on March 20. The merchandise release in the store ten days before could serve as an ideal launch point for the marketing campaign, possibly designed to generate hype and encourage as many players as possible to dive into the game and experience the map.
It’s no secret that Activision is reportedly looking to capitalize on the return of Verdansk in Warzone, especially after the game’s post-launch content integration with Black Ops 6 led to player losses due to stability issues and the rampant hacking situation. This strategy could not only provide players with items they can use in their daily lives but also highlight Verdansk’s long-awaited return. To achieve this, the publisher of the free-to-play Call of Duty title is reportedly preparing plenty of nostalgic in-game content, including iconic Modern Warfare weapons, operators, and features, intending to offer players an experience similar to the original.