Summary
As time has gone on, theCall of Dutyfranchise has embraced and removed a wide variety of features. Before they were a form of monetization used to buy bundles from an in-game store, COD Points were an earnable in-game currency that players used to unlock camos and bet on wager matches. Deathstreaks like Final Stand, while annoying, were iconic. Perk Packages, Field Orders,customizable killstreaks like those inAdvanced Warfare- all are examples of bold ideas that faded away. Secret Zombies maps are yet another memorable gimmick that has been abandoned, but in 2024, that should change.
While many are focused on the imminent reveal ofCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3and what it could mean for the subseries, Zombies fanatics are patiently waiting for the mode’s resurgence in Treyarch’s next game. After a painful year of unpopular content withinCall of Duty: Vanguard, players are hoping thatCall of Duty2024 will be a return to form. To attract lapsed Zombies fans, Treyarch can bring back some old tricks, one of which being hidden Zombies maps unlocked by beating the campaign.
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The Surprise of CoD Zombies Map Rewards is Worth The Risk
In hindsight, the originalCall of DutyZombies fromWorld at Warwas an incredible risk, as it found success against all odds. A true bonus mode, Zombies was unlocked by completing the campaign, with the post credits attack from the undead being a genuinely spooky surprise. Once players saw this moment play out after the credits, they were free to playNacht Der Untotento their hearts’ content, and the viral success of the simple round-based map saw Zombies growing into a phenomenon.
While locking an entire Zombies mode behind campaign completion is a bit too much of a risk, and would be a poor idea nowadays since Zombies is such a big deal, hiding a bonus map behind the campaign would be a much more believable scenario. This is exactly what happened withFive, the cult classicBlack Opsmapthat saw players controlling real life figures like former President of the United States JFK. Despite a humorous premise, Five was a full-fledged Zombies map with unique mechanics and Easter eggs, making it worth the effort to unlock.
While gamers could use a special code inCall of Duty: Black Ops’ terminalto unlock Five without beating the campaign, many players’ first experience with the map came in the form of its intro cutscene playing after the singleplayer mode’s credits. With Kino Der Toten being the only map advertised, and a map that was accessible without any prerequisites, Five was a genuine surprise that made the firstBlack Opsgame feel just a bit more special. WithCall of Duty2024, Treyarch should attempt to recapture that magic.
Just like withCall of Duty: Black Ops, Treyarch could have two round-based maps ready to go at launch, but only advertise one ahead of time. With Treyarch hiring for a number of Zombies-related positions,Zombies lead Kevin Drew promising big thingsfor the mode, and the studio having three years to makeCall of Duty2024, another full map is certainly possible. While marketing the game with two proper maps would be a good way to build hype, hiding a map behind campaign completion could lead to good word-of-mouth after launch.
The other benefit of going the bonus map route would be a larger interest inCall of Duty2024’s campaign. Despite somesolid campaigns likeBlack Ops Cold Warreleasing in recent years, it is no secret that many players never bother with the singleplayer mode. If Zombies fans have a reason to go through the campaign, though - in addition to the people who already care about the campaigns - a healthy portion of the player base could end up experiencing Treyarch’s hard work. For campaign andCall of DutyZombies fans alike, the upside of a hidden survival map seems clear.
