Call of Duty Vanguard Season 1 release time, date, maps, modes, Caldera early access

Call of Duty Vanguard publisher Activision is getting ready to release a new season of content.

Call of Duty Vanguard and Warzone Season 1 has a December 8 release date on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and PC.

According to Activision, the new season has a 5pm GMT launch time for fans living in the UK.

If you already own Call of Duty Vanguard – or purchase the game before December 8 – you can even play the new Warzone Caldera map before anybody else.

Needless to say, the new season features all manner of new content, including maps, weapons, game modes and rewards.

Available at the start of the new season, this includes Vanguard’s brand new Paradise map, which is set on a weapons testing site.

The Pacific Ocean map is described as a “medium-sized three-lane-style map featuring an underground tunnel and pools of toxic waste”.

Also launching alongside Season 1 is the Radar map, which is a reimagined version of the Dome map from Modern Warfare 3.

“This small radar station in the Pacific is built for fast-paced combat. Remember to not camp on the catwalks!” Activision explains.

Unfortunately, while it won’t quite be ready for launch on December 8, Season 1 also introduces the Control game mode.

Activision explains more: “Control mixes the limited-life nature of Search and Destroy with the objective style of Hardpoint and the elimination-centered gameplay of Team Deathmatch.

“Two teams alternate between attacking or defending two fixed capture zones on the map with limited respawns. Attackers either have to capture both zones or completely eliminate the Defenders before the time limit.

“Another, more respawn-heavy mode, is set to drop during for Festive Fervor, and any veteran since the Modern Warfare 3 days should be prepared to get in the zone for it…”

Zombies also gets a selection of new content, which should satisfy some of the mode’s critics. This includes a new Objective titled Purge.

“Eradicate the Augmentors from this plane of existence in Purge, the newest Objective coming to “Der Anfang.” These aethereal worms feed on the dimensional energy that powers Kortifex, and can only be stopped by capturing powerful Control Runes.

“But beware: the Augmentors will spawn waves of enemies as a defense mechanism as you attempt to purge them from our dimension.

“Prepare to take on this Objective among those already available from launch across all arenas, from Stalingrad to Shi No Numa.”

Fans can make things a little more exciting by purchasing the Battle Pass, which comes with plenty of new rewards.

The free Battle Pass contains three functional weapons, two new perks, and lots of new equipment. Indeed, there are said to be over 30 free items in total.

If you purchase the full Battle Pass, you’ll unlock Trident’s first operator, known as Francis “Kai” Lanakila. 

Then there are the Weapon Blueprints, including the Epic “Headhunter” Assault Rifle, the Legendary “Dirtdigger” LMG and the Legendary “Gargoyle” Sniper Rifle.