Yesterday, Raven Software rolled out the Season 3 Reloaded update for Call of Duty: Warzone. However, the developer unexpectedly removed the popular Black Ops Royale mode. Consequently, the Call of Duty community is furious.
Black Ops Royale: A Short-Lived Nostalgia Trip
Raven Software added Black Ops Royale to Warzone on March 12. The mode drew heavy inspiration from the classic Blackout mode in Black Ops 4. Therefore, it stripped away standard Warzone mechanics to offer a traditional experience. Players navigated the map without a gulag, custom loadouts, or buy stations. Furthermore, the mode required manual healing.
Despite its popularity, Raven Software axed the mode on April 30. Ultimately, Black Ops Royale survived for less than two months.
The New Playlist Rotation
The mid-season patch introduced a completely refreshed playlist. Thankfully, Raven Software kept the big map rotation intact. Players can currently drop into both Avalon and Verdansk. Previously, last-generation console limitations prevented this feature.
Currently, the playlist options include:
- Battle Royale & Casual (Quads): Avalon, Verdansk
- Resurgence & Casual (Solos, Duos, Quads): Haven’s Hollow, Rebirth Island
- Hot Pursuit (Solos, Quads): Avalon
- Ranked Play Resurgence (Trios): Haven’s Hollow, Rebirth Island
Massive Community Backlash
Fans fiercely criticized the Season 3 Reloaded update immediately after it went live. Players specifically blasted the abrupt removal of Black Ops Royale. Furthermore, the community voiced intense anger over the lack of Solo options for standard Battle Royale. Currently, standard Battle Royale strictly limits players to teams of four.
Content creator HusKerrs publicly slammed the update. He criticized the total lack of big map modes for solo players, duos, and ranked competitors. Other users quickly echoed this sentiment across social media. One fan called the removal a “HUGE L”, while another stated the developer deleted the game’s absolute best mode. Raven Software regularly faces heavy backlash for removing Solos from rotation, and this latest update clearly continues that controversial trend.
