Call of Duty is experiencing a significant decline in its player base, with monthly active users dropping to 92 million in the second quarter of 2023, down from 98 million in the first quarter. This six million decrease highlights the franchise's struggle to maintain player engagement.

Former professional player Scump has voiced concerns about this downturn, noting that players are "abandoning CoD" amid issues like rampant cheating and problems with Ranked Play. He expressed surprise, especially after Microsoft's acquisition of Activision, expecting smoother operations post-acquisition.

In response to these challenges, Activision plans to reintroduce the classic Verdansk map to Call of Duty: Warzone in spring 2025. Verdansk, the original map from Warzone's 2020 launch, has been absent since 2021. Its return aims to rekindle interest and nostalgia among players, potentially revitalizing the game's popularity.

The reintroduction of Verdansk is part of a broader strategy to enhance player engagement. Additionally, a new Resurgence map, Area 99, is set to debut in Season 1, offering fresh content to the community.

As Call of Duty approaches its 20th anniversary in October 2023, the franchise faces the challenge of addressing player concerns and reinvigorating its offerings to maintain its position in the gaming industry.