New Warzone Map: Urzikstan | Release Date, Tac-Map, All POIs & Gameplay Changes

We've already been shown the new Warzone map coming with MW3's integration: Urzikstan. This is a big map that will be used for both Warzone and Zombies.

We've actually been to Urzikstan many times in recent CoD lore. The fictional country of Urzikstan is located where Georgia is in real life, east of the Black Sea and just south of Russia.

However, the creatives behind the Call of Duty story have been very liberal with their portrayal of Urzikstan in the past; sometimes it really does feel like a country neighboring Russia, but in a lot of other games they're clearly using Urzikstan as an analogue for Syria. They use it for whatever they need at the time, and this time they need it to look like Verdansk.

In this article, you can check out all the info we've been able to confirm about the new Warzone map, Urzikstan. Check back regularly if you don't want to miss anything.

New Warzone Map Urzikstan: Release Date

The new Warzone map Urzikstan will be released on Wednesday, December 6 at 9 am PT (12 pm ET / 5 pm GMT / 6 pm CET). This is when Modern Warfare 3 Season 1 will begin, and we usually get the new big map each year with the first season of the new game, since that is when MW3 will be integrated into Warzone.

Full Tac-Map Of Urzikstan

At CoD Next 2023 we got to see the new Urzikstan map, and it looks like a denser version of Verdansk:

We are very excited to play this puppy.

All Locations On The New Warzone Map Urzikstan

Here are some of the first images we were shown of the POIs on Urzikstan.

Urzikstan POI: Zaravan City

Urzikstan POI: Zaravan City Highrise

Urzikstan POI: Sorokin Industrial

Urzikstan POI: Popov Power

Urzikstan POI: Shahin Manor

Urzikstan POI: Low Town

Urzikstan POI: Old Town

Urzikstan POI: Orlov Military Base

Urzikstan POI: Urzikstan Cargo

Urzikstan POI: Quadri Shopping Center

Urzikstan From Above

It's remarkable how similar this map looks to Verdansk.

New Warzone Map Gameplay Changes

With the integration of MW3 and all its weapons, we will also get several gameplay updates in Warzone that reflect the faster pace and higher skill gap of the latest CoD. Here are the specific gameplay changes you can expect:

• The Return of Movement: You move and climb a lot faster, and slide-cancelling is back.
• Free Perks: By default, you will have faster weapon swap and can use two primary weapons in your Loadout, no need for an Overkill vest.
• Backup Pistol: You get a dedicated pistol when swimming or scaling ladders or hanging from ledges, regardless of your Loadout.
• Manual Gas Mask: You now have the ability to manually decide when to equip the Gas Mask.
• Experimental Gas Grenade: The Tear Gas Tactical has been upgraded to inflict gas damage, which can now be countered by wearing a Gas Mask.
• Dedicated Ammo Slots: There are new backpack slots specifically designed for storing ammo, ensuring quick and convenient access. These slots will automatically receive ammo as you find it. Extra ammo can still be stored in the general-purpose backpack slots.
• Loot Rarity: Weapons, equipment, killstreaks, and more will now be color-coded to indicate their value and rarity, as well as whether a weapon is part of a "Custom Loadout."
• Contract Activation Laptop: Contracts can now be initiated by interacting with larger, more easily noticeable laptops scattered throughout the map.
• Updated Tac Map Icons: The entire Tac Map has been revamped to provide a more user-friendly experience, featuring a variety of easily distinguishable new icons.
• Classic Red Dots: The traditional minimap with red dots indicating unsuppressed weapon fire is making a return in Call of Duty: Warzone. Operators will briefly appear as red dots when firing unsuppressed weapons.
• Improved Loot Distribution: Players will now observe enhanced loot distribution and spacing when opening Supply Boxes or eliminating enemies, reducing the chances of loot overlap and making it easier to identify loot.

These are all very positive changes, and we expect them to be well-received.

Urzikstan Gulags: Different Versions Of The Same Map

There will be one Gulag map in Urzikstan, but there will be different versions of it that you can potentially get. Here they are:

• Standard Gulag: Start with two random weapons and grenades.
• Locked & Loaded: Start with an SMG, an AR, full plates and grenades.
• Night Mode: In this version of the Gulag it's dark, and you are using night vision.

There is one new Gulag rule that applies to all versions: if it reaches overtime, then instead of a flag appearing in the middle of the map, a zip-line that goes straight up appears in the middle of the map instead. To win, you have to kill your opponent or ascend out of the Gulag via the zip-line.

This is a better idea than last year's Gulag, we can all agree.

This is all the current info we have about the next Warzone map. We hope you found it helpful. If you are interested in our first thoughts about Modern Warfare 3, take a look at our MW3 Review.