Challenges for Warzone 2 esports: JoeWo’s perspective on the impact of CDL limitations

JoeWoe outlined why it will be challenging for WZ2 video game to experience the same success as Warzone, whose viewership and competitive interest peaked in 2021. According to Stream Charts, warzone 1 saw a peak concurrent audience of 1.6 million people, and competitions were a significant contributor. More than 440,000 viewers watched the 2021 World Series of Warzone, according to Esports Charts. The website also kept track of a cumulative prize pool from all tournaments that year of almost $6.3 million.

Compared to Warzone 2, the highest viewership was just north of 55,000, and the total amount of money distributed fell precipitously to $49,000. Less general interest might result from a startling fall in the esports battle royal scene. JoeWo, a Warzone live stream, contends that CDL limitations make growing the Warzone 2 esports ecosystem more difficult.

Did Warzone esports suffer because of the CDL?

JoeWo asserted at a Pullze Check podcast taping that “the CDL has a chokehold on our game, and it’s sad.” He explained that more people watched Warzone tournaments during Warzone 1’s heyday with the Verdansk map than the CDL. Sponsors were eager to contribute funds, according to JoeWo, but CDL groups didn’t want the battle royale to divert attention from their league matches. An organization must spend $25 million to secure a place in the Call of Duty League. JoeWo considered it from the viewpoint of a company and questioned whether it was more advantageous to buy a club than to sign Warzone players.

Why would I ever spend $25 million for a CDL place and then have to pay inflated salaries to all of these guys when I can sign a few Warzone players who occasionally compete for the same money that the CDL does? The CDL legend Scump, who participated in the 2021 WSOW while still playing with OpTic, is a prime example. The former professional Call of Duty player won the Solo YOLO Tournament for $100,000. For comparison, teams received $200,000 for winning a CDL championship that year.

The following was added by JoeWo on Twitter: “Many of those (Warzone 1) tournaments stopped in Warzone 2 because we need CDL approval.” He asserted that sponsors are eager to arrange six-figure events, but Warzone prize pools have reached a monetary limit. As a result, CDL professionals are less likely to be interested in playing the battle royale.