Call of Duty: Warzone discourse has always been dominated by rumours and speculation. And the launch of Warzone 2.0 hasn’t stopped the hearsay. Now an unfounded rumour has people asking about a new Hashima Island Warzone map and the conspicuous absence of Rebirth.
Warzone 2.0 has changed the game in a number of ways by introducing new features like the re-jigged looting system, a 2v2 gulag, and split circles.
More subtle changes such as reduced time-to-kill, more aggressive AI, and the introduction of two and three plate armor vests have also mixed things up. And all these changes have resulted in a mixed reaction from players. Some love it – and others don’t.
Whatever you think of those changes, one noticeable absence from Warzone 2.0 is a Rebirth/Resurgence mode.
Rebirth Island was the first home of the original Warzone‘s Rebirth/Resurgence mode. It offered a quicker pace and more intense action than what could be found in Verdansk and Caldera.
Rebirth also included a crucial twist on the traditional Warzone battle royale formula: the ability to respawn after death. And it was incredibly popular.
In Warzone x Vanguard Season 5, Rebirth Island was replaced with Fortune’s Keep. While the latter map was comparatively short lived, it was still popular with fans.
Many players assumed that a brand new Rebirth map would debut with Warzone 2.0. But that didn’t happen. And now fans of that mode are left without a viable alternative.
However, a new rumour has fans hopeful that Rebirth/Resurgence will be coming back soon and that it will be set on a brand-new Hashima Island Warzone map.
So, is there any truth to this rumour? Is Hashima Island Warzone‘s new Rebirth map?
What is Hashima Island?
Before we look at the new rumour, let’s take a look at Hashima Island itself.
Just as Rebirth Island was modelled on the real-life Alcatraz Island, Hashima Island is rumoured to be the setting of the new Warzone Rebirth map.
Hashima Island is an island off the coast of Nagasaki, Japan. In the 19th century, coal was discovered there. And from the 1880s to the 1970s, it was home to undersea coal mines.
As Japan began to industrialise, people moved to the island for work. With its population growing, large concrete buildings were constructed to house workers and to provide facilities for them to use.
During World War II, Hashima Island was used as a site of forced labour to aid in the mobilisation effort. It is estimated that hundreds of people died on the island due to harsh working conditions.
By 1959, Hashima Island reportedly had a population of 5,259 inhabitants. However, by 1974 its coal resources were depleted. And this resulted in a mass exodus of the island’s population.
With nobody left on Hashima Island, it was abandoned for more than 30 years. Over time, it became derelict and the concrete ruins that remained became tourist attractions.
Since its re-emergence, Hashima Island has played host to thousands of tourists. It has also been featured in many popular movies, including Skyfall.
Hashima Island Warzone: Is It The New Rebirth Map?
With the backstory out of the way, let’s take a look at the latest rumour and find out if there will be a new Hashima Island Warzone map.
At this point, speculation about Hashima Island in Warzone has been floating around online for almost a year.
After the launch of Call of Duty: Vanguard shifted Warzone‘s setting to the Pacific Ocean, fans were hopeful that a new Rebirth map would follow suit.
In late 2021, one Reddit user wrote that Hashima Island “would make such a good” map for the Rebirth/Resurgence game mode. Twitter users also echoed the sentiment. However, nothing ever came of it.
With fans of Rebirth Island missing a viable alternative in Warzone 2.0, Hashima Island Warzone rumours have started to spread again. But where have they come from? And is there any truth to them?
Is Hashima Island Warzone‘s new Rebirth map?
As with everything online, it is best to take rumours with a pinch of salt. The new Hashima Island Warzone rumour appears to have started on TikTok. But there isn’t any official confirmation that it will be the new Rebirth/Resurgence map.
As mentioned, speculation about the abandoned island off the coast of Nagasaki has been rampant for months. But it is just that – speculation. Right now, there is no truth to the rumours. It is just content creators taking advantage of the idea to get views on TikTok.
While Hashima Island would certainly make for a cool setting and it is entirely possible, fans of Rebirth are just going to have to wait for an official announcement.
Would you like to see a new Hashima Island Warzone map? Let us know in the comment section and don’t forget to check out our other gaming articles…
