Call of DutyZombies has experienced some major ups and downs in recent years, but its community remains loyal despite that. While some may be returning to older Zombies maps and games instead of playing the significantly differentCall of Duty: VanguardZombies, a love for the mode and the experiences it has provided remains. Often, that appreciation has turned into requests for a standaloneCall of DutyZombies game.
Recent rumors suggest thata separateCall of DutyZombies game could be dropping in 2023, serving as a stand-in for Treyarch’s next title. With the next Treyarch-madeCall of Dutysupposedly being pushed back to 2024, giving Treyarch a longer development cycle and time to master a new engine, it would make sense for aCall of Dutyspin-off to take its place. Fortunately, a Zombies game makes sense for more reasons than just theCall of Dutybrand needing another yearly release.
RELATED:A Call of Duty Zombies Fan is Making a Buried Outro Cutscene
Zombies Chronicles 2 Content Is Supposedly Ready To Go
While a standalone Zombies game has been leaked by reputable insiders such as Tom Henderson, so too has Zombies Chronicles 2. Last year, Henderson claimed that the remastered maps that would feature in the expansion were mostly finished, with Treyarch simply waiting for the right moment to release them. This is hardly the first time thatZombies Chronicles 2 has been rumored, as the expansion was supposedly meant to come alongsideCall of Duty: Black Ops 4at one point in time.
However, the supposedly finishedZombies Chronicles 2 mapsare in an interesting position, especially if they were made forCall of Duty: Black Ops 4.Call of Duty’s engine has evolved in recent years, and so has the gameplay. As such, it makes little sense to release Zombies Chronicles 2 content as part ofCall of Duty: Vanguard, as different systems like the approach to Perks mean entirely new assets would need to be created. While aCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold Warrelease would make a bit more sense, even that would have its hang-ups.
A standaloneCall of DutyZombies game could be the perfect way to drop Zombies Chronicles 2. Treyarch would not have to worry about updating the supposedly finishedremakes of TranZit, Buried, and Die Rise to fit a new engine and different systems. Further, the studio would not have to worry about Operators in a standalone game, meaning the maps could feature the Victis crew like they did originally. With time and resources already put into the map remakes according to several leakers, sitting on that content forever and never releasing it would make little sense. The rumored standalone Zombies game could be the perfect place to drop these updated maps, asBlack Ops Cold WarandVanguardwould be odd games to house the content.
CoD Zombies Has Grown Enough To Support Its Own Game
Aside from being a good way to release Zombies Chronicles 2, a standalone Zombies game would be a perfect way to keep the mode’s massive fan base engaged. While it is still treated like a third mode, the success of expansions like the original Zombies Chronicles cannot be ignored.TheCall of DutyZombies communitywould undoubtedly support a standalone game, purchasing a copy or buying cosmetics if a free-to-play approach was taken. Further, withCall of Duty: Vanguardbeing so divisive, a standalone game would be an excellent way for Activision to win fans back.
Over the years, Zombies has featured dozens of different maps, but no game has collected them all into one place. WhileCall of Duty: Black Ops 3brought some of the best maps to one game, making it the most complete Zombies experience thus far, it is still missing classic maps like Mob of the Dead as well as everything released afterBlack Ops 3. A standalone game could become the definitive Zombies experience, allowing fans of the mode to play every single map through a single application. With the file sizes for eachBlack Opstitle being so massive, and some older games not playable on current consoles, switching between games is not a viable option for many players.
A standaloneCall of DutyZombies game would also give Treyarch the opportunity to rectify some mistakes. A proper ending forthe Chaos storycould be provided, for example, as such a game could celebrate the mode’s entire history. Further, those that saw the Aether story’s conclusion as rushed could get an extra map that fleshes things out. A Great War map that features the original staves and sees players fight Dr. Monty could be incredibly memorable, and it is just one possibility. Treyarch could market the game as a celebration of Zombies’ past, giving the old storylines one last hurrah before continuing with the Dark Aether narrative inCall of Duty2024.
RELATED:Call of Duty: Vanguard Zombies’ Zaballa and Vercanna Could Be Signs of What’s To Come
The Potential To Take CoD Zombies In New Directions
Lastly, it is worth noting thata game focused purely onCall of DutyZombiescould allow the mode to evolve in far bigger ways than it normally can. As a third game mode, the resources dedicated to Zombies have always been limited. With a standalone game, though, that could change. Treyarch could be free to explore a number of new features, doing more with Zombies since there is no need to split attention between campaign and multiplayer.
This could result in something like the long-requested Zombies campaign. Thus far, the only attempt at this concept was seen inCall of Duty: Black Ops 3with Nightmares mode. However, Nightmares was essentiallyCall of Duty: Black Ops 3’s campaignwith Zombies thrown into the mix, as the same assets were reused and there were no unique levels. The story was also disconnected from any other Zombies narrative, giving fans little reason to care. With a standalone game, Treyarch could deliver a singleplayer or co-op campaign that is full of unique missions and fills in some gaps for the Aether or Dark Aether universe.
A deep map creator could be added to the console versions of the standaloneCall of DutyZombies game, giving players access to the endless variety of maps seen on PC. The community could keep the game alive for years to come, especially if they have access to tools from every Zombies map and mode.VR Zombies mapscould be another interesting feature, with Treyarch either giving the tool to creators or making official VR versions of classic maps. With the community needing something exciting afterVanguard, theCall of Dutyseries needing a 2023 replacement, and several map remakes supposedly being ready to go, next year seems like the perfect time for a standalone Zombies game to become a reality.
MORE:Call of Duty Zombies’ Map-Specific HUDs Need To Make a Return
