In a Perpetual Dilemma: The Endless Struggle of Call of Duty Zombies
Despite its enduring popularity, Call of Duty Zombies faces a challenge in meeting the diverse expectations of its fan base due to certain choices made by Treyarch Striking a balance that satisfies everyone remains a difficult task for the beloved game mode
Highlights
Diversity of preferences among Call of Duty Zombies fans makes it impossible to please everyone with each new game release.
Content has grown in various directions, much like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, resulting in a multitude of diverse gameplay styles and storytelling approaches within Call of Duty Zombies.
However, this experimental approach has begun to pose challenges, as limited resources hinder the ability to fully cater to fans of both round-based content and open-world maps in every mode.
For many, Call of Duty Zombies holds cherished memories. Old school players may reminisce about training on Kino Der Toten or camping on the Der Riese catwalk, while newer fans recall wielding elemental bows or riding dragons. Story enthusiasts engage in lengthy discussions about alternate timelines and characters like Edward Richtofen, while gameplay lovers spend hours creating tier lists for maps and weapons. Despite the overwhelming fan support for Call of Duty Zombies, Treyarch is unlikely to please every individual with their next game.
The division within the CoD Zombies community can be seen through the discourse surrounding Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3's open-world mode. Opinions vary greatly, with some gamers embracing the idea of another Outbreak-like experience, while others express disappointment in the absence of round-based gameplay. While some players are thrilled about leaping off buildings with PhD Flopper, others are infuriated by the lack of a main quest. Unfortunately, this is an issue that Call of Duty Zombies seems destined to face, as the mode holds different meanings for various groups of people.
Call of Duty Zombies Cannot Satisfy Everyone
The situation of Call of Duty Zombies can be compared to that of the Marvel Cinematic Universe today. Similar to the MCU, Call of Duty Zombies used to be a mode that was highly praised, even with its failures like TranZit. Each release was eagerly awaited by fans, who were excited about new stories and gameplay in each map pack. However, things have changed and now the community is divided on various issues, just like with recent MCU projects. Treyarch's newer Zombies releases also have their detractors. Players have different expectations from CoD Zombies, just as fans have diverse preferences for MCU projects. Some want solo stories, while others look for plot progression. Some dislike the addition of Disney+ shows, while others enjoy them. Some appreciate experimental projects, while others miss the old formula. Unfortunately, Call of Duty Zombies, like the MCU, has expanded in too many directions, resulting in not every project satisfying every fan. This can be seen in divisive elements like Zetsubou No Shima's plant system and modes like Grief. However, this has become more pronounced in recent years. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4's perk system was seen as too drastic a change by many, although some argued it was necessary. The absence of the Chaos story is missed by many, while others are indifferent. Some players miss the old storytelling style with community theories, while others appreciate clearer information. Open-world experiences, as seen in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Zombies, are a subject of love or hate.
The experimental nature of Call of Duty Zombies has both its advantages and disadvantages. On one hand, fans have developed a strong affinity for the open-world experiences like Outbreak, which the developers at Treyarch need to consistently provide. On the other hand, creating such expansive content takes considerable resources, resulting in fewer opportunities to deliver traditional survival maps. Since Call of Duty Zombies is still viewed as a secondary game mode, Treyarch's time and budget are limited, preventing each mode from reaching its full potential. This ultimately leads to round-based maps with less originality and open-world experiences that heavily rely on existing multiplayer and Warzone locations.
Unless Activision decides to release a standalone Call of Duty Zombies game, which fans have been longing for, it seems challenging to satisfy every group within the community. The divided reception to even something as light-hearted as the M14 vs. Olympia Gang meme illustrates the lack of unity. It's difficult to envision any single mode bringing everyone together like the early versions of Zombies did. Whether it's enthusiasts of round-based gameplay, open-world exploration, Easter egg hunting, or storyline immersion, there will always be a Call of Duty Zombies group that feels left out.
