Call Of Duty is gearing up for a massive shakeup as Season 3 approaches, with the return of the fan-favorite Verdansk map and a surprising reappearance of Jason Hudson in the latest cinematic. Alongside this, players are eagerly awaiting the new Zombies map Shattered Veil, while early 2025 player stats reveal a shift in momentum for Black Ops 6. With major updates, teasers, and industry moves from familiar names like Jason Blundell, the FPS world is bracing for a wild month ahead.

Season 3 cinematic teases Black Ops comeback with Hudson and Adler

Call of Duty is once again making major waves in 2025 as season 2 wraps with one of the most story-rich cinematics the franchise has seen in years. The short film, which launched this past week, delivers multiple surprises and sets the stage for a pivotal shift in the current Black Ops 6 narrative arc.

Frank Woods returns in voiceover, Russell Adler is back on screen, and shockingly, Jason Hudson makes a return that nobody saw coming. Hudson, long believed to be dead, appears alive and well in a cutscene that hints at the secretive Avalon storyline. This move marks the biggest lore expansion since Cold War, and longtime fans of the Black Ops franchise are already trying to piece together how Hudson fits into the modern-day canon.

The cinematic strongly suggests that season 3 will lean even heavier into classic Black Ops storytelling. To see the full breakdown and fan analysis, the original source video can be viewed here.

Verdansk officially returns—map looks nearly identical to 2020

Possibly even more exciting for players is the official reveal of the next Call of Duty Warzone map: Verdansk. A new overhead image confirms that the fan-favorite battleground is returning in season 3, and early impressions suggest it’s a near 1:1 recreation of the original 2020 version.

This is huge news. Verdansk was removed in 2022 and replaced with several new maps that never quite hit the same nostalgia note. Its return shows Activision is finally listening to its player base. According to reports, this version of Verdansk will stay faithful to its original layout, with iconic POIs like Downtown, Superstore, and Hospital seemingly unchanged.

What’s also interesting is the characters being featured in Verdansk’s promotional image. It includes operators from multiple time periods—1984, 1991, 2022—and even those considered dead, like Jason Hudson. While this raises continuity questions, it could point to a bigger multiverse narrative unfolding across both multiplayer and campaign modes.

The community has responded positively to the return, especially with Activision toning down the more extreme Operator skins in favor of grounded, military aesthetics that fit the map’s original feel.

Learn more about Hudson’s return to Black Ops from Inkslasher on YouTube.

Player count rankings show surprising slip for Black Ops 6

Despite all the excitement surrounding Verdansk and narrative developments, the current numbers show that Black Ops 6 has dropped to the number four most played game of 2025 so far. According to February’s stats, Call of Duty HQ still holds the number two spot on PlayStation and remains the top played title on Xbox. But as a standalone entry, BO6 slipping down the list is unusual.

Traditionally, the newest Call of Duty release holds a top-three spot for almost the entire year. This early dip suggests a weaker-than-expected start for BO6, but that could shift dramatically if season 3 lives up to expectations. The return of Hudson and Verdansk might be exactly what’s needed to recapture player interest heading into the second quarter of the year.

New Zombies map ‘Shattered Veil’ revealed without a trailer

For Zombies fans, there was both hype and disappointment this week. After days of teaser images showing eerie, broken-down locales, the name of the next Zombies experience was officially revealed: Shattered Veil. However, no trailer, cinematic, or gameplay was released alongside the announcement.

The map’s name and vibe suggest a return to the darker, more mysterious settings that fans love. But with no footage yet, players are left guessing about new mechanics, wonder weapons, or whether the map ties into existing lore. The lack of information is frustrating for the Zombies community, but it’s likely Activision is saving a full reveal for a coordinated marketing push next week.

Jason Blundell resurfaces with new studio under PlayStation

In related news, former Zombies legend Jason Blundell—responsible for some of the best Zombies maps of all time—has launched a brand-new first-party studio under the PlayStation umbrella. The studio, named Dark Outlaw Studios, is shrouded in mystery, but fans are already speculating whether it could produce a spiritual successor to Zombies.

The studio’s logo is giving off major Shadowman energy, though Blundell clarified in early comments that this isn’t a new Zombies title. Still, the return of such a key creative mind is welcome news for players who miss the depth and creativity of early Treyarch-era storytelling.

Anti-cheat war spreads across Valorant and COD

Cheating continues to plague the multiplayer world, not just in Call of Duty but in other titles like Valorant. Mixwell, a former pro player, made headlines after saying Valorant is now “literally unplayable” due to cheaters—even in stacked ranked lobbies.

In response to ongoing cheat issues, Activision has stepped up enforcement, and for the first time is launching legal action against cheat developers. This move sets a new precedent and could lead to major industry shifts in how Anti-Cheat is handled. It’s no longer just about banning players—Activision wants to end the businesses behind the cheats themselves.

If this legal push is successful, it may give studios across the industry a model for cleaning up multiplayer environments on a larger scale.

CS:Legacy mod recreates classic Counter-Strike 1.6

Counter-Strike 1.6 turns 25 years old this year, and a dedicated community mod named CS:Legacy is aiming to recreate that iconic version of the game. The mod is already generating buzz, staying true to the original maps, guns, and mechanics while running on modern systems.

Historically, Valve has been lenient with fan-made mods, but if Legacy gains more traction than CS2, there’s always the risk of takedowns. For now, though, the mod is one of the most promising throwback projects in recent memory.

Ubisoft holds the line as Assassin’s Creed Shadows gets mixed praise

Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Ubisoft’s newest entry, has landed with an 81% on OpenCritic. It offers more of what fans saw in Valhalla and Odyssey—this time in a Japanese setting—but critics are calling it repetitive. Gameplay remains solid, but environments feel samey and some players are already feeling burnout.

With Ubisoft struggling after a poor Star Wars title launch and pressure mounting from possible EA or Microsoft acquisition offers, this could be a make-or-break moment. They’re reportedly holding off all external offers until May to see if Shadows and Rainbow Six Siege X can stabilize the company.

PowerWash Simulator 2 and Atomfall add to April’s lineup

Two more games worth mentioning this week: PowerWash Simulator 2 and Atomfall. The former continues the chill vibes of the original and seems to be adding new tools and modes. The latter, however, is gaining early praise for its story and worldbuilding.

Atomfall features some clunky AI but makes up for it with clever puzzles and deep environmental storytelling. With early access gameplay already online, this could be a low-key hit once it fully launches.

As we move into April, all eyes are on Call of Duty season 3, Verdansk’s return, and whether Shattered Veil finally gets the trailer fans have been waiting for.

For more updates and leaks check us out at CODIntel.

FAQ’s on Hudson’s return

Is Jason Hudson really back in Black Ops?

Yes, Hudson appears in the season 2 cinematic, confirming his return.

Wasn’t Hudson supposed to be dead?

Yes, but his reappearance hints at a deeper twist in the storyline.

What role does Hudson play in season 3?

Details are unclear, but he’s tied to the Avalon mission arc.

Is Hudson playable in multiplayer?

Not yet confirmed, but likely in upcoming seasonal updates.

How does Hudson connect to Adler and Woods?

They’re longtime Black Ops allies, possibly reuniting for a major operation.