CoD: Modern Warfare 3 Details How The New Zombies Extraction Mode Works

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 arrives on November 10, bringing a large-scale Zombies mode, and a new blog post details what players can expect from this brand-new experience. Here we break down everything you need to know about Operation Deadbolt in Modern Warfare 3 Zombies.

Instead of the traditional round-based experience, Modern Warfare 3’s Zombies mode offers large-scale extraction gameplay that serves as more of a mashup between Zombies and MW2’s DMZ. In fact, DMZ players will be very familiar with a lot of the gameplay and mechanics found in Zombies.

This mode is designed for trios in a PvE environment that takes place on Warzone’s brand-new Urzikstan map. Zombies works similarly to DMZ’s sandbox-like feel, where you can choose how you want to play. You can load into a match just for kills or map exploration, or specifically work to complete Operation Deadbolt story missions or other objectives.

The menus even have a similar look to DMZ, with a set of operator slots that allows you to use any operator unlocked from Modern Warfare 2 or Modern Warfare 3. Your chosen operators can be equipped with up to five different pieces of gear, meaning the equipment you find and exfil with during missions is saved here. This includes killstreaks, armor, gas masks, and medical items.

Another carryover from DMZ is the backpack feature. In Zombies, this is specifically called your rucksack, but it basically serves the same purpose. It gives you somewhere to store all the loot during your missions. Initially, there are up to five open slots on the small rucksack.

Loadouts are nearly identical to DMZ’s formula. You initially start with one insured weapon slot, which is the only weapon you won’t lose if you fail to extract. This insured weapon is one you can customize in the Gunsmith, and completing specific missions will allow you to unlock up to two more insured weapon slots. Additionally, you can also extract “Contraband” weapons from your matches to store in a weapons locker.

Field upgrades also return in Zombies, but these aren’t the equipment types you’d expect from multiplayer or DMZ. These are the elemental Zombies upgrades from Black Ops Cold War’s Zombies mode, such as Aether Shroud to keep you invisible from zombies and Healing Aura to heal you and your teammates.

According to the blog, once you’ve had a few successful missions, you can then start adding items to your rucksack called acquisitions and schematics. Acquisitions are single-use items, such as Perk-a-Colas, ammo mods, and upgrade tools, and the schematics are the plans that permanently allow you to craft these various acquisition types.

The mission structure follows DMZ’s factor tiers, providing sets of tiered missions that you progressively unlock for more story bits, XP, and cosmetic rewards. There are also DMZ-style contracts to complete for additional rewards, and Buy Stations can be found on the map to help you buy some the gear you need.

Of course, Zombies will still have features unique to the mode. There are Perk-a-Cola machines, Pack-a-Punch, and Wall Buys for additional guns. Wonder Weapons can also be found, and these include classic Wonder weapons like the ray gun, as well as a new one called the Scorcher.

More details about the Zombies storyline for Operation Deadbolt can be found here. Modern Warfare 3 releases on November 10, with the campaign already in early access, and you can find our full Modern Warfare 3 campaign review here.

Call of Duty continues to reveal tons of new information before launch, including Modern Warfare 3’s complete weapon list, details on a new way to unlock attachments, and Gunsmith changes.