Standalone Call of Duty Zombies Game Reportedly in Development

Zombies Gets Its Own Game#

According to Dexerto, a new leak claims Activision is planning a standalone Call of Duty Zombies title for next-generation consoles. The report suggests the game could be timed with a delayed new Xbox release, though specific details remain scarce.

Call of Duty Zombies has been a fan-favorite mode since its debut in Call of Duty: World at War - Zombies back in 2008, appearing as a bonus feature in multiple entries across the franchise. What started as a hidden Easter egg unlocked after completing the campaign has evolved into one of gaming's most recognizable co-op experiences, spawning its own dedicated community, elaborate Easter egg hunts, and even competitive speed running scene. A dedicated Zombies experience would mark the first time the undead mode has received its own full release, separate from the mainline Call of Duty titles.

The move would acknowledge what many players have felt for years: Zombies has outgrown its role as a side mode. While multiplayer and Call of Duty: Warzone dominate the conversation around Call of Duty, Zombies maintains a passionate fan base that often feels underserved by the annual release schedule. Maps and storylines get cut short when development shifts to the next year's title, leaving narrative threads dangling and gameplay systems abandoned before they reach their potential.

What This Could Mean#

A standalone Zombies game would potentially allow the mode to expand beyond its traditional scope. Without being tied to a yearly Call of Duty release cycle, the development team could focus entirely on delivering deeper progression systems, more elaborate maps, and long-term content support. Imagine a Zombies experience that receives regular seasonal updates like Warzone, building on a single cohesive foundation rather than resetting every November.

The possibilities for expanded gameplay are significant. We could see persistent progression that actually matters, with unlockable abilities, weapons, and perks that carry across all maps rather than resetting with each match. The Wonder Weapon system could be overhauled entirely, with crafting mechanics and customization options that give players more agency over their loadouts. Map design could embrace non-linear exploration and branching paths, moving beyond the traditional "open doors, turn on power, pack-a-punch" formula that's defined the mode for over a decade.

Story-wise, a standalone title could finally deliver the narrative payoff that Zombies fans have been chasing since the Aether storyline wrapped up. Whether Treyarch continues the Dark Aether narrative from Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 or launches something entirely new, having a dedicated game means cutscenes, character development, and plot progression wouldn't need to compete for resources with two other major modes.

The timing alongside potential new Xbox hardware is particularly interesting, though the leak doesn't specify whether this would be a console exclusive or simply a launch window title. Next-gen hardware could enable larger-scale Zombies experiences with significantly more enemies on screen, destructible environments, and more complex map designs with seamless transitions between areas. Think less "small arena with teleporters" and more "open-world infection zone" where hordes actually feel like overwhelming threats rather than manageable waves.

There's also the question of how this would coexist with Zombies content in mainline Call of Duty releases. Would future Black Ops games still include Zombies modes, or would this standalone title become the exclusive home for the undead? Activision could position it as a live-service platform that receives content from multiple studios, similar to how Warzone operates independently while still connecting to the broader Call of Duty ecosystem.

Take It With a Grain of Salt#

As with any leak, this information should be treated as unconfirmed until Activision makes an official announcement. The publisher has not commented on the report, and the gaming industry is littered with promising leaks that never materialized. That said, Dexerto has a reasonably solid track record with Call of Duty leaks, and the concept makes business sense given how Activision has been experimenting with different release models across the franchise.

The mention of tying the release to new Xbox hardware adds another layer of uncertainty. Microsoft's gaming hardware plans have been the subject of constant speculation, with rumors of mid-gen refreshes, handheld devices, and next-generation consoles all circulating simultaneously. Without knowing what Xbox hardware this would supposedly launch alongside, it's difficult to gauge the timeline or scope of this project.

Would a dedicated zombie game be enough to pull you away from the mainline Call of Duty releases, or does the mode work best as part of the larger package? For players who primarily engage with Zombies and ignore multiplayer entirely, this could be exactly what they've been waiting for. For others, the appeal of Call of Duty has always been the variety of having three distinct modes under one roof. Either way, if this leak proves accurate, it represents a significant shift in how Activision approaches one of its most enduring game modes.