From Nostalgia to Next-Gen: Single Developer Remakes Call of Duty 2’s Carentan with Ray Tracing

In a stunning showcase of solo talent and modern rendering technology, a single developer, known as tadpole3159, has meticulously remade the iconic multiplayer map Carentan from Call of Duty 2. This impressive project, which leverages NVIDIA’s powerful RTX Remix tools, goes far beyond a simple remaster, incorporating physically-correct materials, dynamic lighting, and full ray-traced reflections to create a level that looks and feels like a modern AAA title. The project was even featured at Gamescom 2025 as a winner of an NVIDIA-sponsored RTX Remix contest, highlighting its technical prowess and artistic vision.

For many veteran gamers, the name “Carentan” evokes a sense of nostalgia. The map, with its cobbled streets, war-torn buildings, and claustrophobic alleys, has been a staple of the franchise, appearing in multiple entries, including a popular remaster in Call of Duty: WWII. However, this fan-made project takes the familiar landscape and gives it a breathtaking visual overhaul. The developer, who is a lead artist at a UK-based game studio, has a professional background that is evident in the project’s attention to detail and technical execution. The work, which reportedly took around two months, is a testament to what is possible with modern tools and a singular vision.

The Power of RTX Remix: A New Era of Fan-Made Remakes

The “Carentan” remake is a prime example of the potential of NVIDIA’s RTX Remix, a platform that allows modders to remaster classic games with modern graphics techniques. The tool set works by automatically converting older DirectX 8 and DirectX 9 games to support ray-traced lighting, shadows, and reflections. The modder’s job is to go a step further, meticulously tagging assets with “physically-correct materials” to define how they should react to light. This means a cobblestone street will have a different level of roughness and reflectivity than a shattered glass window, and a puddle of water will realistically reflect its surroundings.

The result is a transformative experience. Videos of the project show Carentan in a new light, with dynamic shadows shifting realistically as the time of day changes. The developer has also added new, period-appropriate details and lush foliage, breathing new life into every corner of the map. This approach is in stark contrast to simpler remasters, which often rely on upscaled textures and basic lighting improvements. The RTX Remix tool, and projects like this, are ushering in a new era of fan-made remakes, where the visuals of beloved classic games can be brought in line with modern standards without the need for a massive development team.

Beyond Carentan: A Glimpse into the Future of Modding

The success of the “Carentan” remake is not just a win for Call of Duty 2 fans; it’s a powerful statement about the future of game preservation and modding. The technical demo, showcased by NVIDIA, also included other impressive RTX Remix projects, such as remasters for Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines and Painkiller. This growing community of creators is not just recreating old games; they are meticulously rebuilding them from the ground up, adding layers of visual fidelity that were previously unimaginable. This movement is a testament to the enduring appeal of classic games and the passion of the communities that surround them. The fact that a single person could achieve a result of this caliber signals a shift in the industry, where even solo developers can wield the power of next-gen technology to create truly stunning and memorable experiences.

As the RTX Remix toolset continues to evolve, with new features like a particle editor, the possibilities for these fan-made remakes are endless. The work of developers like tadpole3159 provides a captivating glimpse into a future where the classics we grew up with can be revisited with a level of visual fidelity that surpasses even our fondest memories.