Warzone Update Sparks Controversy Among Players with Area 99 Alteration

In a bid to enhance game flow and minimize third-party disruptions, Call of Duty: Warzone has downsized the number of players in Area 99—a move that’s sparked a mix of opinions among fans. Though it wasn’t launched in tandem with Black Ops 6, this latest version of Warzone has quickly regained its grip on the gaming world.

Season 1 of Call of Duty: Warzone is brimming with fresh content, from a host of new operators to various map updates including the return of Urzikstan and Rebirth Island. Introducing Area 99—a Treyarch-crafted map nestled in Nevada’s desert—it promises "intense, tactical combat" thanks to its numerous points of interest and compact design. Yet, players haven’t uniformly embraced it, and the recent update tweaks have only added to the community’s divided sentiments.

The November 25 update saw tweaks to Area 99’s player cap informed by developer data insights. Adjustments were noticeable across all game modes: maximum player count for Quads and Duos dipped from 44 to 40, Trios now max out at 42, and Solos decreased from 45 to 40.

Community feedback on the Area 99 playlist changes has been varied. While some players anticipate that fewer competitors might make gameplay less hectic and decrease immediate respawn fatalities, others are disenchanted, preferring the nostalgia and dynamics of Rebirth Island.

Beyond player limits, the update squashed several lasting bugs, notably fixing the bothersome automatic gas mask removal animation. Also, the update disabled the Akimbo attachment for Black Ops 6 weapons and tweaked audio levels, reducing sounds from operators carried over from Modern Warfare 2 and 3.

Call of Duty: Warzone November 25 Update Patch Notes

Playlist

Following a review of internal feedback, player counts on Area 99, our newest Resurgence map, have been slightly lowered. The change details are:

• Quads: From 44 reduced to 40
• Trios: Down from 45 to 42
• Duos: From 44 to 40
• Solos: Reduced from 45 to 40

These modifications aim to better pace matches and diminish third-party skirmishes, giving players more opportunities to gather loot and compile their Loadouts. We will keep gauging feedback and data to refine further if necessary.

General

• Operator Audio: Trimmed the volume of apparel and gear noises for carry-forward operators from Modern Warfare 2 and 3 to match Black Ops 6.
• High Mantle Speed: Increased the pace of mantling high ledges for smoother movement.

Weapons

• The Akimbo attachment is now disabled for Black Ops 6 weapons.

Firing Range

• Players using a controller can now inspect weapons with a double tap left on the D-Pad.

Bug Fixes

• Addressed an issue where the Gas Mask’s removal animation could trigger unintentionally.
• Ensured player controls aren’t disrupted by the Gas mask during engagements.
• Resolved a bug allowing some weapons to have 9 attachments.
• Fixed a glitch that affected Battle Pass progression visibility post-match.

As these changes roll out, we’re eager to reveal more about forthcoming Warzone updates.