Ashes of the Damned Brings Scale and Nostalgia to Call of Duty Zombies
Activision has officially unveiled Call of Duty: Black Ops 7’s Zombies mode, and it’s already being hailed as one of the most ambitious evolutions the series has seen in over a decade. At the center of this new chapter is Ashes of the Damned, described as the largest round-based Zombies map in Call of Duty history.
Revealed during the September 30 Call of Duty: Next showcase, Ashes of the Damned marks the first time a Zombies map has been set entirely within the Dark Aether dimension. According to Treyarch, the arena connects multiple massive zones via dangerous roadways, forming a “Bermuda Triangle”-style space that blends a variety of iconic locations.
The new setting also comes with unique tools for survival. Players will traverse the deadly dimension in Ol’ Tessie, an upgradeable Wonder Vehicle guided by a volatile version of T.E.D.D., the robotic driver fans may remember from past Zombies outings. Additionally, Treyarch revealed the Necrofluid Gauntlet, a new Wonder Weapon capable of hardening strange fluids into deadly spikes or even pulling in distant items.
Survival Maps Return After a Decade
Longtime fans of the Zombies experience will be happy to hear that Survival maps are making a comeback. Last seen in Black Ops 2 (2012), Survival maps strip Zombies back to its roots, testing endurance and teamwork against endless waves.
Black Ops 7’s Zombies storyline is also confirmed as a direct continuation of Black Ops 6, with the developers teasing encounters with alternate-dimension versions of the classic crew: Dempsey, Richtofen, Takeo, and Nikolai. This nostalgia-driven angle ties into the overarching Dark Aether narrative while promising plenty of new twists.
Multiple Modes and Dead Ops Arcade 4
At launch, Black Ops 7 Zombies won’t be limited to just Ashes of the Damned. Players will have access to three distinct Zombies modes:
- Standard Mode – Classic Zombies gameplay with modern adjustments.
- Cursed Mode – A brutal new experience where players start with only a pistol, no minimap, and must rely on skill and resourcefulness. It uses a Black Ops 3-style points system, which ties into collectible Relics that offer unique constraints and rewards.
- Survival Mode – Old-school maps focused solely on endless wave-based combat.
On top of these, Treyarch confirmed that Dead Ops Arcade 4 will also be included on day one, expanding the arcade-inspired side mode into new territory.
Black Ops 7 Zombies Beta Schedule
Fans won’t have to wait long to try out the new systems. A standalone Zombies beta for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 begins on October 2 at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 7pm CET, available first to players who pre-order either edition of the game. This early access window runs until October 5.
Following that, an open beta period will allow all players to participate from October 5 to October 8, also beginning at 10am PT. This public phase will serve as a server stress test ahead of launch.
Only the Vandorn Farm Survival map will be available during the beta, giving players a taste of the returning mode before the full release.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Release Date
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is set to release worldwide on November 14, 2025, for both PC and consoles. With Ashes of the Damned, returning Survival maps, and multiple modes at launch, Treyarch appears determined to make this one of the most defining entries in the Zombies legacy.
