Activision has announced the release of open-source data for the Call of Duty: Warzone Caldera map. This move marks one of the largest in-game data sets ever released from the franchise, empowering players to utilize it in their own projects. The dataset, referred to as a Universal Scene Description (USD), enables detailed 3D simulations of the Caldera map, including its geometry and in-game character pathing. This OpenUSD data, representing the industry standard for such technology, will be available starting Wednesday.
Activision senior VP of software engineering Michael Vance highlighted the significance of this release, calling it “one of the largest publicly available OpenUSD data sets.” He described it as “extensive, in terms of world-size, scene graph depth,” collisions, and other facets. The Caldera map, renowned for its size, was deliberately chosen for this project. It stands as one of the largest maps ever created within the franchise, rivaling the original Warzone map and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare’s Verdansk. This substantial dataset clocks in at approximately 4GB.
The release of this data aims to empower developers with the potential for modding and AI training, while simultaneously contributing to the advancement of future Call of Duty development. As a mostly completed map that has proven its viability with the public, it represents a unique resource for such endeavors. Vance emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “We feel a constant need to improve the play experience and deliver even more richness and detail. Innovations that come from this data set release could give more freedom and flexibility for our content teams to find the most engaging scenarios for our players.”
The Caldera map was originally introduced in 2021 as part of the Warzone Pacific update. This expansive battle royale map encompassed 15 distinct areas, offering a plethora of exploration opportunities. Some of these areas drew inspiration from other multiplayer maps within the franchise. The Pacific update subsequently underwent a name change, becoming Warzone Caldera, but was ultimately discontinued in 2023 to pave the way for Warzone 2.0.
