Unveiling a forgotten chapter in Call of Duty history, the envisioned transition of the popular Zombies mode into a Mad Max-inspired standalone adventure was abruptly halted. Insights into the shelved live-service game, known as 'Project Zed,' have recently surfaced through a former Call of Duty developer.
Details surrounding a shelved Call of Duty: Zombies game, in the works during 2011-2012, emerged from Michael Gummelt's tenure at Raven Software. After years of speculation, Gummelt has shed light on various aspects of the abandoned project, offering enthusiasts a glimpse into what could have been.
In a candid discussion with Glitching Queen, ex-Raven Software leader Michael Gummelt delved into the aspirations of the standalone Call of Duty: Zombies game that never materialized, drawing parallels between its post-apocalyptic essence and the gritty universe of Mad Max. The proposed 4-player cooperative experience was set to kick off in a Mad Max-esque arena where players would combat hordes of zombies in escalating rounds before venturing into an expansive open-world setting. Conquering waves of undead adversaries across the map would unlock incentives as players embarked on missions to liberate other zombie-infested regions and rescue survivors. Gummelt emphasized his team's intention to inject a broad, enjoyable element while preserving the familiar Call of Duty aesthetic.
Furthermore, Gummelt outlined plans for player character creation at the game's outset, with ongoing customization opportunities throughout the gameplay, potentially including in-game purchases. Envisioned as a live-service offering, the game was poised to introduce seasonal variations showcasing distinct thematic elements, akin to the evolving content strategy seen in recent Call of Duty installments.
The genesis of Call of Duty: Zombies drew heavily from Gummelt's earlier endeavors on Call of Duty Online, a title exclusive to China that ceased operations in 2021. Drawing inspiration from his work on a mode within that game where players faced off against cyborgs, rather than zombies, Gummelt incorporated key learnings into the shelved Zombies project.
The Premature End of Call of Duty: Zombies Development
Reflecting on the game's premature demise, Gummelt revealed that the project never advanced past the conceptual phase, with only design documents in existence for Call of Duty: Zombies. Discussions with Activision were ongoing, awaiting the green light to proceed. However, the nod from Activision never materialized as Treyarch, another Call of Duty developer, opted to retain the Zombies mode within the main game. While a standalone Zombies venture remains absent from the franchise, elements akin to the canceled game's open-world essence can be found in the Zombies mode of Modern Warfare 3.