Activision has just made a major announcement before the upcoming Call of Duty update.
Black Ops 6 Season 3 is launching a day earlier than planned, but it will be free for 24 hours.
PC and console players can try the update from April 2, the official Call of Duty account announced on X (formerly Twitter).
At the same time, the game’s free-to-play counterpart, Warzone, will go offline before its original map, Verdansk, returns.
There’s also another freebie up for grabs. Players who open Warzone during that time can grab the Kilo 141, a fully-automatic assault rifle, for no cost.
To be clear, the new season is still launching two weeks later than planned. Perhaps this is Activision’s way of making up for that delay.
We already knew this was a make-or-break season for Call of Duty, especially after the backlash over recent gameplay changes.
But with the surprise early launch, a free 24-hour window, and the highly anticipated return of Verdansk, it’s clear Activision is pulling out all the stops to win players back.
The latter is the main highlight; Verdansk isn’t just making a comeback — it’s getting a full-fledged makeover.
Activision says the renowned Warzone map has been “rebuilt from the ground up” using new technology while staying true to its original layout and nostalgic feel.
Expect a serious visual upgrade, with better textures, improved rendering, and higher-quality graphics. For instance, grass, foliage, mud, and water now boast more realistic physics, making the environment more dynamic than before.
Lighting has also received a significant overhaul. A brand-new high-resolution skybox, improved light bounces, and enhanced reflections mean smoother transitions between interiors and exteriors.
Shadows and backlighting have also been refined to add depth, particularly in areas like the prison, where atmospheric lighting plays a key role.
The revamped Verdansk is a joint effort by Beenox, Raven Software, and High Moon Studios to ensure the map remains faithful to Infinity Ward’s original vision.
While everything looks shinier, Activision promises that gameplay hasn’t been tampered with —the classic layout and feel of Verdansk remain intact.
© The Standard Ltd