The latest Call of Duty: Warzone update has removed the 200-player battle royale mode that made a splash when it was added as a limited time feature, but has replaced it with an equally exciting gameplay variant in Stimulus Trios, which ramps up the speed of the game considerably. Call of Duty: Warzone has found a niche for itself among the many battle royale titles available on the market today, with a large player count in its battle royale features as a selling point that is complemented by a rotating roster of playlist options that keeps multiplayer fresh.
Developer Infinity Ward has been consistent with providing updates that make each Call of Duty: Warzone season compelling for fans to continue playing, and Season 4 Reloaded has been no exception to that process. Warzone 200-player battle royales were perhaps the flashiest addition since the mode added 50 more players to the game's already gargantuan 150 player standard battle royales, but Season 4 Reloaded also introduced Juggernaut Royale as a limited time mode, too. Both modes were popular while they were around, though it's unclear if Infinity Ward has plans to add either as a permanent fixture at some point in the future.
Now that Call of Duty: Warzone 200-player battle royale mode has been removed, Infinity Ward announced on Twitter that its departure would simultaneously add Stimulus Trios to the playlist. Stimulus Trios is already making waves as a game mode thanks to its focus on faster, higher kill count play. Stimulus Trios removes the Gulag and instead has players respawn instantly as long as they have the money required to do so, and the result is a much more frantic style of play. This is the first time Stimulus has been made available in a team format, with the mode previously only seen in Solo.
Stimulus Trios has been well-received so far and has once again reinvigorated the Call of Duty: Warzone community. While limited time modes has been a source of frustration for some, it's also worth noting that the model has functioned extremely well in creating excitement from fans, too. Modes tend not to overstay their welcome and create anticipation for their return, helping create the sort of gameplay loop that has made other titles like Fortnite (though that game implements it somewhat differently) have such staying power.
Of course, it's sad to see Warzone 200-player battle royale mode leave. The sheer number of players involved in the mode was captivating at times, and victories felt especially well-deserved. Given the Call of Duty: Warzone coverage the mode got and how impressive it sounds when it's being discussed, though, it's likely that players haven't seen the last of Warzone's 200-player battle royale mode.
Call of Duty: Warzone Season 4 Reloaded is out now.
Source: Infinity Ward/Twitter