‘Call of Duty: Warzone Pacific’: New Caldera map goes live for everyone next week with 15 drop zones

Next week is going to be huge for “Call of Duty: Vanguard” and “Warzone” players as it is when the integration of the free-to-play and paid multiplayer games will start to take shape. One of the highlights of the upcoming update is the release of a new map named Caldera, which Sledgehammer Games just revealed will have 15 drop zones going live next week as well.

Caldera is the highlight of a blog post published on Tuesday where developers refer to the location as “Paradise” and the home of “Call of Duty: Warzone.” Caldera will not just replace Verdansk, its release will also set off a slight name change for the free-to-play game, which will be officially called “Call of Duty: Warzone Pacific” starting next week.

As mentioned, Caldera will feature 15 distinct areas with diverse topographical features and layouts. The map features a variety of locations situated in a naval base, jungle, port dock, mining area, agricultural villages, sprawling cities, beach resort, and an airfield, among others. There is also a location right at the peak of a dormant volcano named Peak.

There are also areas in Caldera that house sophisticated military structures, such as the Shark’s Lair. Because it is a submarine pen, this part of the map is located by the eastern coast of the “Call of Duty: Warzone Pacific” map and features an underground tunnel system that players can explore to search for supplies and contracts.

All 15 drop zones will be available to “Call of Duty: Warzone Pacific” players even if they do not have “Vanguard.” But those who purchased the 2021 game will have an early access privilege on Wednesday, Dec. 8, for 24 hours. That means they can explore these new Caldera locations before they become crowded. “Warzone” players can enter the map on Thursday, Dec. 9.

The launch of Caldera and “Call of Duty: Warzone Pacific” on Dec. 8 will also mark the beginning of Season One, which will bring 38 core weapons from “Vanguard” to “Warzone” players. “At the start of the season, cross-progression between Vanguard and Warzone will be enabled, allowing you to rank up through Seasonal Prestige and unlock new content through the Battle Pass and Challenges,” the developer wrote.