While Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War has been one of the more divisive entries in the long running series, one part of the game has been heavily praised. Most Call of Duty fans seem to enjoy the latest take on Zombies, with smart mechanics like armor and perk upgrades pleasing players. However, while the Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War version of the iconic co-op mode is solid, that does not mean its perfect.
Alongside complaints about Operators and their lack of dialogue, the biggest issue with the game has been a lack of survival maps. While the experimental Outbreak mode can be considered a success, fans of traditional Zombies gameplay have had a rough several months. It has been five months since the last Survival map was added, with only two total Survival maps in the game. While this has been exciting, a recent rumor about Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’s year two content should give Zombies fans a reason to be hyped.
Adding To Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’s Low Survival Map Count
Despite all of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Zombies’ standout features, the mode has struggled in a way that is unlike any other Treyarch Zombies experience. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Zombies only launched with a single Survival map, with players having nothing to play beyond Die Maschine. The 2020 game marks the first time since Call of Duty: World at War where only one map was playable on day one. Call of Duty: Black Ops featured Kino and Five, while Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 offered TranZit and Die Rise. For Call of Duty: Black Ops 3, The Giant and Shadows of Evil were available, while the fourth Black Ops entry fittingly launched with four different maps.
While this led to the mode growing stale rather quickly, fans remained optimistic due to its solid mechanics. Firebase Z arriving earlier than expected only added to this optimism, as it seemed like fans were approaching a Season filled with fresh maps. Unfortunately, that has not been the case, with nothing coming in the five-month span between Firebase Z and Mauer Der Toten. While this light map count is likely caused by a mixture of the COVID-19 pandemic and a focus on Outbreak content, it is hard not to notice the lack of DLC maps for the game. By this point in the other Black Ops games, three post-launch Zombies maps would have been released. Going by the current schedule, the game will close out Season 6 with only four total Survival maps — the same number that Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 had at launch.
Fortunately, the rumor that Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War will keep being supported is promising. According to the reputable insider Tom Henderson, the game will get content long after its “cycle” has ended. With Activision reportedly pleased with the game’s post-launch revenue, fans can expect to see new content releasing beyond 2021. While it is unclear if this content will take the form of extra Seasons or some smaller drops, it is exciting. For Zombies fans, this opens up the possibility for more Survival maps, ranging from remakes to fresh ideas. With the game being supported for longer, the likelihood of extra Zombies locations debuting only increases.
Adding New Content To Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Zombies Beyond Survival Maps
While more Survival maps is undoubtedly what the game needs most, it is far from the only bit of content that could come for Zombies in Year 2. Treyarch could double down on some alternate game modes, doing a bit more than they have thus far. While LTMs like Jingle Hells and Cranked are fine, they are far from something that players could go back to endlessly. However, the Grief game mode from Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is different, and it is a prime example of something that could come to Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Zombies in the feature. Adding some permanent, alternate game modes that double down on replayability could be a great thing for the game’s future.
Outside of new modes, more Zombies-focused Operator bundles would be nice to see. Currently, Samantha Maxis only has her default skin and one alternate look available. It would be great to see her get more, with other characters from Zombies becoming playable as well. Alongside these features, the Gobblegum mechanic should make a comeback. The smaller boosts proved to be a lot of fun in Call of Duty: Black Ops 3, as players could use a mix of beneficial and silly candies in their packs. Gamers could also create their own Gobblegums, with the daily recipes giving them a reason to play every day. This feature continued to be prominent in Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, making it a bit odd to see it abandoned in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. However, if the game continues to get support beyond Season 6, the Gobblegum machine could still make a comeback.
Finally, there is Factions, a scrapped mechanic from Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Zombies. Announced during the reveal event for the 2018 game, this post-launch feature was meant to see players aligning with one of four groups. Once done, they would begin to complete special challenges for them, unlocking themed cosmetics that let them represent their faction. While it sounded like an interesting concept, it never saw the light of day. However, it would be great to see its potential realized in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. Players could align with Omega, Requiem, the Dark Aether, or Maxis and Ravenov, unlocking items themed around each. Much like the daily Gobblegum recipes, this could give players something to grind for and a reason to keep playing.
Zombies Chronicles 2 In Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
Still, with the game in desperate need of more Survival maps beyond Mauer Der Toten, it is hard not to ponder the potential of Zombies Chronicles 2. Players have been hoping to see this expansion ever since the original released, as it would bring back the fan favorite Buried and the cult classic Die Rise. It would also give Treyarch the chance to fix TranZit’s issues, something that gamers have wanted since 2012. With the consoles now offering the necessary technology to make TranZit work, annoying features like the fog could be stripped away.
Outside of these three maps, Zombies Chronicles 2 could offer some other locations. In Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, Mob of the Dead, Nuketown, and Call of the Dead were reimagined. However, Blood of the Dead, Alpha Omega, and Tag Der Toten played a lot differently from the originals. As such, a Zombies Chronicles 2 could restore the classic versions of these three maps, giving players proper remasters of each. Alongside this, TranZit’s small Survival maps could be included, with a separate Diner map coming to the game as well. Not only would this result in a nostalgia-filled expansion for old school Zombies fans, but also an instant fix for Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’s low map count.
With Treyarch hiding TranZit teasers as well as Buried and Die Rise references in Outbreak, the studio seems to be teasing fans about the possibility of such an expansion. While it would be hard to release such a DLC in the current Seasonal format, it could be the perfect thing for the game’s continued support. Such a DLC would keep Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Zombies fans playing for years, as many still enjoy playing the original Zombies Chronicles on Call of Duty: Black Ops 3. While Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’s support continuing beyond what was initially planned is great for multiplayer fans, it could mean a lot more for those that enjoy slaying the undead.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
