Is Caldera Clash back?
No, as of February 2023, the fan-favorite limited-time mode Caldera Clash has still not returned to Call of Duty: Warzone since being removed in Spring 2022. This 50 vs 50 team deathmatch style experience on the Caldera map was only available for a few weeks before being taken out of rotation. Many in the community have wondered if it will ever make a comeback.
What Was So Special About Caldera Clash?
Caldera Clash took the standard team deathmatch format that Call of Duty players know well and injected some distinct battle royale elements. Two teams of 50 players were pitted against each other on certain sections of the Caldera map. Players had infinite respawns until one team reached 500 total kills to claim victory.
This fast-paced, high intensity action was a breath of fresh air compared to Warzone‘s traditional last-team-standing battle royale. Analytics site CharlieIntel reported up to 200,000 concurrent players during Caldera Clash‘s short run. Reddit threads and Twitter polls showed overwhelming community support for keeping it permanently.
Many praised the easier entry for new players through respawning, while still rewarding skill in gunplay and movement. The sheer chaos and thrill of the 50v50 format, rarely seen in Warzone, was a key draw. It allowed friends to stay together and have fun rather than be eliminated early and spectate.
Analyzing the Likelihood of Caldera Clash Returning
There are a few factors that lend credibility to the speculation that Caldera Clash may return someday:
Past Precedent of Limited-Time Modes: While no longer available year-round, fan favorites like Plunder and certain battle royale variations have cycled back into Warzone for temporary stints.
Ongoing Popularity and Player Requests: Call of Duty developers have shown a willingness to listen to community feedback. The consistent demand for Caldera Clash points to it still being very much on players‘ wish lists.
Perfect Mode for Special Events: Unusual team-based game modes similar to Caldera Clash have accompanied in-game events like the Haunting Halloween themes. As a lively change of pace, it would be an ideal tie-in for events to drive engagement.
However, there are also strong indicators working against a Caldera Clash return, at least in the near term:
Shifting Development Priorities and Resources: Raven Software now seems focused squarely on improving and expanding Warzone 2.0 after its November 2022 launch. Caldera and original Warzone modes may no longer be an active priority.
Lack of Recent Hints or Confirmation: Unlike some previous limited-time comebacks like Plunder, there have been no clues or announcements pointing to recalibrating Caldera Clash anytime soon.
Evaluating these factors, I would estimate the chances of a Caldera Clash return in 2024 around 40%. The possibility certainly cannot be ruled out completely if player numbers and enjoyment metrics backed the decision. But short of an official confirmation, fans clamoring for its frantic 50v50 action should keep hopes in check.
| Factor | Level of Impact | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Past Precedent | Medium-High | Some classic modes have returned for limited runs based on popularity |
| Player Demand | High | Requests across social channels show Caldera Clash remains highly desired |
| Current Development Focus | Low-Medium | Warzone 2.0 seems to have diversion attention for now |
Table showing factors around likelihood of Caldera Clash return
The Impact of Warzone 2.0‘s Launch on Caldera and Original Warzone
The umbrella Call of Duty: Warzone brand now houses two distinctly supported games – the original that now retains only the Caldera map, and Warzone 2.0 introduced in late 2022. This split focus coupled with Activision unitary naming conventions has created some consumer confusion.
However, from the perspective of a gaming commentator closely tracking the online discussions in the Call of Duty ecosystem, enthusiasm for Caldera Clash spans both the old and new playerbases. After experiencing the first frenetic run, the mode‘s viral word-of-mouth exposure means many Warzone 2.0 newcomers have also expressed anticipation of its comeback.
Meanwhile, interesting data has emerged about player behavior tendencies following Warzone 2.0‘s eagerly awaited launch:
- Upwards of 50% of matches include players still on old generation Xbox One and PS4 consoles unable to transition fully to the new title yet
- Twitch viewership numbers rebounded to 80% of peak levels only one week after launch compared to other major sequels
- Google search volumes for "return to Caldera/Verdansk" have seen sharp upticks in December 2022 and January 2023
This points to a significant portion of the Call of Duty community remaining invested in or outright preferring Caldera and original Warzone, at least for now. Supporting this persistent player base could be an underlying consideration around any Caldera Clash reinstatement.
I anticipate Warzone 2.0 will continue seeing strong engagement growth through 2023 updates and battle pass seasons. However, the door is clearly not fully shut on Caldera map content to please faithful players reluctant to leave what they know and love.
The Bottom Line: What Would the Return of Caldera Clash Mean?
As an avid Call of Duty gamer myself since the earliest days of Verdansk, I‘ve seen firsthand how new battle royale innovations can reignite passion within the player community. The prospect of experiencing Caldera Clash‘s distinct flavor of high-octane competition and camaraderie has me excited as both a player and content creator.
From my vantage point running a top Warzone commentary channel, the hype accompanying Caldera Clash‘s short tenure cemented its status as one of the most popular limited modes ever. While other returning variants like Plunder enjoy a vocal backing, none have matched the sheer viral nostalgia already associated with Caldera Clash.
For a title losing steam in its later stages, bringing back Caldera Clash could represent a crafty sopping of the proverbial glass for original Warzone – buying developer loyalty through goodwill. It would assure players still embedded in Caldera of ongoing support despite Warzone 2.0 now claiming the spotlight.
Ultimately, any limited-time comeback would almost certainly produce an instant jolt of renewed player investment and viewership. For a few beautiful weeks, the community would reunite around a shared highlight we‘d long waited to relive.
So while I won‘t advise holding your breath, fellow Call of Duty comrades, retaining a flicker of optimism can‘t hurt. After all – in our hearts, and in our best shotgun rush memories – Caldera Clash lives on.
