For a game that has not yet been officially revealed, gamers know a fair bit about the next Call of Duty title. Leaks and rumors have suggested that the game will be made by Sledgehammer Games, return to the World War 2 era, and take a gritty approach to war. Skill-based matchmaking systems are apparently in place, while the game is rumored to use the IW8 engine and have Call of Duty: Warzone integration. Despite all these rumors, though, nothing has come about regarding a Zombies mode for the game.
Call of Duty 2021 lacking Zombies is not impossible, as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2019 skipped out on the co-op survival mode. At the same time, it is hard to deny the mode’s popularity, as several attempts have been made in the past to replicate Treyarch’s success. As such, it is hard to tell if a Zombies mode will be included in the game, though if it does come, players should not be expecting something like Treyarch Zombies from the experience.
Why Call of Duty 2021 Will Likely Skip Zombies
At this moment, it seems unlikely that Sledgehammer's Call of Duty game will have a Zombies mode. With the sheer number of rumors about the game’s setting and mechanics, it seems likely that something would have been said about the mode by now. However, nothing has been said whatsoever, and this lack of discussion automatically implies that such a mode is not in the works. Considering that the next game is reportedly struggling to meet the Call of Duty standard, focusing purely on multiplayer and campaign content may be a wise idea.
Succeeding without a Zombies mode is possible, as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2019 thrived despite having a lackluster spec ops mode in its place. While official concept art has shown that some kind of a Zombies was planned for the latest Modern Warfare game, scrapping it may have been the right idea. After all, the attempts at making a Zombies mode on par with Treyarch’s own round-based survival have consistently come up short. On three separate occasions, Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer have tried Zombies modes, with all having differing degrees of success.
2014’s Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare saw the introduction of Exo Zombies, and the mode never really took off. Featuring a rough Pack-A-Punch system that saw players needing to level up their guns 25 times, with each upgrade being a marginal increase to damage, the mode was never able to thrive. While it featured some decent ideas and easter egg steps, its maps were all forgettable, as were all its characters apart from Oz. In 2016, Infinity Ward attempted to win fans over with Infinite Warfare Zombies, with the mode featuring a cartoony style and clunkier gameplay than Treyarch’s mode. While it had its strengths, like decent maps and an awesome “super easter egg” that rewarded players for beating every main quest, its Wonder Weapons were lacking, and the characters were uninspired.
2017’s Call of Duty WW2 was Sledgehammer Games’ last Call of Duty game, and intriguingly, it was the best attempt at copying Treyarch’s formula. Bringing back the Nazi Zombies title, the mode’s horror roots made it stand out, with grotesque creatures seen in every new release. While the story was not for everyone, and the maps were hit and miss, this mode did a lot right. A bonus survival map could be unlocked on release, easier versions of easter eggs were added for casual players, and an armor system much like Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War could be seen here. While experiments like Tortured Path did not work out, it was a solid mode — even if it could not compare to the original.
With three attempts missing the mark, Activision may want to keep Zombies exclusive to the Treyarch Call of Duty releases. Not only would it ensure that fans are especially excited for quality Zombies releases every few years, but it could give them a breather that yearly Zombies modes does not allow for. Beyond that, if the murmurs of a standalone Zombies game prove true, then players will be seeing plenty of undead-related content in the coming years anyway. Another Zombies mode may be overkill, and if it is lacking the polish of Treyarch’s versions like the other past attempts, it may not be worthwhile at all.
If Call of Duty 2021 Does Have Zombies...
While it would be great to see the next Call of Duty game get a fully unique co-op mode like Extinction from Call of Duty: Ghosts, there is a chance that Zombies is attempted once again. If it is, players should not expect something like what they have received with Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. First, the mode would be entirely separate from the Dark Aether universe, ensuring that weapons like the Ray Gun and characters like Samantha Maxis do not appear. Iconic perks like Juggernog and Quick Revive would not be available in their current forms, with the abilities needing to be renamed like in the other non-Treyarch Zombies modes. None of the mini bosses could be used, either.
Players should also only expect traditional survival from a non-Treyarch Zombies mode. Apart from The Tortured Path, all of Sledgehammer Games’ other attempts at Zombies maps have been survival-based. This means that Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’s Outbreak mode would likely not carry over, with the open world, objective-based gameplay remaining exclusive to Treyarch Zombies. Further, while a main quest easter egg will be included, players should only expect a handful of side easter eggs. Considering that there were fewer side objectives in Exo Zombies and WW2 Zombies, this pattern would likely continue. Music easter eggs with original Zombies songs are also unlikely.
With the next Call of Duty game’s setting rumored to be a traditional World War 2 or alternate history World War 2, there is a chance that WW2’s Nazi Zombies makes a return. The story ended on a fairly large cliffhanger, and while a celebrity cast was featured for all the maps, seeing them return would be interesting. With Zombies modes usually being made up of reused assets from campaign and multiplayer, a Call of Duty 2021 version of the mode would likely feature a DLC season full of locations from the second World War. As such, Sledgehammer Games picking up where the Call of Duty: WW2 left off seems possible — and it would be the first non-Treyarch Zombies mode to get a second run of content.
Still, this is purely speculation, as there is hardly any official information about 2021’s Call of Duty game. Call of Duty Zombies fans should remain focused on Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Season 3 and the Seasons that follow, as it could be the last Zombies content seen for a while. While the rumored standalone game is exciting, and there is a chance that Call of Duty 2021 has a Zombies mode, it seems even more likely that it will not. With it also unlikely to match the level of quality seen in Treyarch Zombies, this may be for the best, as Sledgehammer Games can double down on making sure the multiplayer and campaign deliver.
Call of Duty 2021 is in development for unspecified platforms.