The new Zombies intro was epic. With the crew flying through space to Kickstart My Heart and into a floating zombie skull planet/asteroid, you can already tell we're in for a wild ride. Today, we got extra context, with a gameplay trailer backing up the intro and blog that released yesterday. Check it all out below!

New Map: Astra Malorum (Launch)

The heroes continue their perilous journey in search of another Shadowsmith, with their path leading them to a mysterious observatory, a relic ripped from the early 20th century now drifting silently within the shimmering rings of Saturn.
Once a beacon of human curiosity and discovery, the observatory has become a ghostly monument suspended in time, its rusted domes and fractured telescopes watching endlessly over the planet’s swirling bands. Within its hollow corridors, secrets of the past, and the next step in their quest awaits.
Astra Malorum: The Stars of Evil
An insatiable hunger for knowledge of the cosmos. A powerful, evil presence within the Dark Aether. Twisted rituals that grew in intensity. In the cold depths of space, a century-old observatory guards a gateway to a dead world.

The unknown of the galactic void awaits….

Astra Malorum: New Enemy Encountered: O.S.C.A.R.
This sentinel robot — a remnant of mid-20th Century cinematic imagination — has somehow become an animated, stalking menace that roams the dark halls of the Observatory. Known as the Observation System and Carnifex Adjudicator Robot (or O.S.C.A.R. for short), this Elite entity seems to be persistent in assessing and neutralizing threats, slowly hover-patrolling areas where a disturbance has occurred.

Using a Detection Field to scan the environment in methodical sweeping motions, should a threat be determined, O.S.C.A.R. switches to Combat Mode. At this point, countermeasures are deployed:
  • Drone Shield: A smaller, mobile robot tethers itself to O.S.C.A.R., keeping it immune to all incoming damage. Additional Drones should be expected should a more protracted battle occur.
  • Tesla Field: An offensive electrical arc crackles out of O.S.C.A.R.’s carapace, searing damage into any nearby threats. Expect additional electrical offense when O.S.C.A.R. engages in close-quarter fighting.
  • Attack Drones Hologram: A Drone Hologram is deployed from O.S.C.A.R.’s chest cavity, and travels directly towards a perceived threat. Should the hologram connect with that threat, any nearby undead entities are attracted to attack in a fiercely enraged state.
  • Internal Circuitry Projectile: Should a threat become unreachable, O.S.C.A.R. produces non-critical internal parts from its interior and hefts them at a threat.
Astra Malorum: New Wonder Weapon: LGM-1

Mastery Badges Available for this Weapon
The Little Green Menace launches saucer squadrons that exterminate enemies like the lower life forms they are. Shoot for the stars!

A retro-sleek artifact with unique target acquisition and annihilation qualities, the LGM-1 shoots out partly autonomous saucer-like projectiles that swarm nearby targets with miniature (but potent) laser fire.
This small squadron of independent spacecraft prioritizes the closest targets and depends on weapon aiming. These flying discs then track and circle enemies, before returning to the LGM-1 for replenishment.

Astra Malorum: New Traps

Stellar Dissector

Cut up zombies with fatal laser beams

Cost: 1,000 Essence
A central feature of the Observatory’s Luminarium is an archaic celestial beamcaster that has been attached to a tall tesla coil. When exploring this astral pavilion, this contraption might do more than catch your eye.

Apogee Annihilator

Bomb zombies with Astronomer Rockets

Cost: 1,500 Essence
If you were to visit the Stargazor’s Courtyard once certain criteria were met, you may encounter a rusting, mechanical turret (shown to the right of the above image) with an ornate crank and rustic rocket repository. Perhaps the rows of missiles encased in sticks of dynamite might come in handy if you and your crew find yourself in a bit of a pickle?

Astra Malorum: Main Quest, Quest Rewards, and Challenges
The Main Quest for Astra Malorum goes live when the map releases with Season 01 on December 4. Complete the Main Quest to earn the following:
  • A new [CLASSIFIED] Operator Skin for [CLASSIFIED], Calling Card, and 10,000 XP.
  • Complete Astra Malorum Mastery Challenge for another Calling Card and 5,000 XP.
  • Obtain the necessary Intel — Audio Logs, Documents, and Artifacts — to earn a third Calling Card and another 10,000 XP.
  • Players who complete the Main Quest before Directed Mode arrives for this map will also earn a unique Calling Card variant.
Astra Malorum also comes with six new Calling Card Challenges, with an animated Mastery Card for completing the entire set. Players can access the set from the Map select screen in the Quest Reward/Intel widget, or via the Zombies Calling Card Challenges menu in the "Maps" category. There might even be some new Dark Ops Challenges to discover!

Survival Map: Exit 115 (Launch)
Welcome to Reba’s Diner! Today’s specials are carnage stew and mayhem hash. This is one exit you don’t want to take — unless, of course, you’re looking for trouble. More information below:

Season 01 Zombies: New Gameplay Content

There are even more Modes coming to Black Ops 7 Zombies in Season 01:

Standard

Access Round-Based Zombies with limited guidance on both Ashes of the Damned and Astra Malorum. Recommended for intermediate players.

Directed - Ashes of the Damned
Return to Ashes of the Damned with a guided Main Quest experience. Rounds advance with progression with a maximum round cap of 15. Recommended for casual or new players. Complete to obtain the following:
  • The “Bushwalker” Skin for Maya, as well as a Calling Card and 5,000 XP.
  • There’s also an additional Calling Card and 10,000 XP for obtaining all necessary Intel.
Directed: Astra Malorum: Expect to access Directed Mode on Astra Malorum at Mid-Season.

Survival: Exit 115
Survive as many rounds as possible in this isolated location from Ashes of the Damned with everything you need to put up a fight. The more rounds you survive, the more rewards you can earn:
  • “Chef’s Special” Animated Emblem and 1,000 XP (reach Round 10)
  • “Ravaged” Charm and 2,500 XP (reach Round 25)
  • “Perkaholic” Ultra GobbleGum and 5,000 XP (reach Round 50)
Survival: Expect to enter Zarya Cosmodrome in Survival at mid-season!

Cursed: Astra Malorum:

No guidance. Limited HUD and loadout. Point system inspired by Black Ops 3. Search for six new Relics to further increase difficulty after completing the map’s Main Quest. All further information, including Relics and rewards, is [CLASSIFIED].

Holiday Modes: Jingle Hells (Astra Malorum): Take the fight to the undead in Jingle Hells, a limited-time holiday variant of Astra Malorum. This festive twist on Round-Based Zombies brings snow, ice, and holiday chaos to the battlefield. Gather snowballs, battle through freezing weather as you attempt to complete the Main Quest in these freezing conditions.
  • Snowballs & Snowball Piles: Collect snowballs from piles around the map to freeze zombies. Frozen enemies are easier to eliminate and may drop holiday presents.
  • Holiday Presents: Frozen zombies can drop presents whose loot quality improves as the rounds climb higher. Present loot includes weapons, equipment, support and upgrade items.
  • Naughty or Nice (Power-Up): Pick up a stocking to test your luck. Nice drops multiple holiday presents, while Naughty spawns timed waves of Ravagers.
  • Snowmen: Destroy them to find random loot. However, they may be hiding a zombie inside!
  • Freezing Weather: While outdoors, players will begin to freeze will lower their movement speed.  At round one, players move at 85% of their standard speed. As rounds progress, the map grows colder, with the slowdown capping at 50% movement speed.
  • Barrel Fires: Ignite barrel fires in outdoor areas to create permanent warmth zones that cancel the freezing effect.
Additional Tuning Adjustments

Zombies have reduced health in the early rounds to help squads build momentum. All players start with bonus essence and salvage to accelerate early crafting and upgrades.

Note: These tuning adjustments do not apply to List Keeper’s Challenge.

Rewards

Completing the Main Quest earns exclusive seasonal rewards, including a Holiday Calling Card, Ultra GobbleGum, and bonus XP.

Holiday Modes: List Keeper’s Challenge (Astra Malorum)
A different storm has settled over Astra Malorum. The Main Quest is replaced by a chain of mysterious objectives delivered through the unseen hand of the List Keeper.  Every task builds on the next, each demanding more control, awareness, and resolve than the last. Can you prove you have the virtues necessary to be recorded onto the List?

The List Keeper’s Challenges
Each objective brings a new test. Some are easier to tackle solo, while others benefit from teamwork. Depending on where you struggle... and you will... you may find that changing your party size makes all the difference.

Rewards
Players who impress the List Keeper earn unique seasonal rewards, including a Holiday Calling Card, Ultra GobbleGum, and bonus XP as trophies for those who answered the Keeper’s call and endured what followed.

New Pack-a-Punch Camos Confirmed!
Season 01 brings a variety of new Astra Malorum Pack-a-Punch camos to unlock, some of which are displayed above. Each has specific unlock criteria, with some being trickier to obtain than others. Note that any PAP Camo you’ve previously unlocked while exploring Ashes of the Damned can be chosen as your preferred PAP Camo here, too.

Returning Perk-a-Cola: Mule Kick
Drink to carry an extra weapon. Unlock 15 total Augments to begin this Research.

If you’re concerned about bringing too few guns to face down unruly undead hordes, take a swig of Mule Kick and increase your weapon capacity with room to carry an additional Primary Weapon, along with some additional augmentations to your ammo and Equipment carrying capacity.

Major Augments

  • Pack Mule: You can carry more stock ammo. This applies to all your Primary Weapons, and the amount varies depending on the type of weapon. Includes Wonder Weapons.
  • Free Throw: Chance to keep Equipment when used. Does not apply to the Combat Axe. This means when you throw non-retrievable equipment, like a Decoy or Molotov, there’s a chance your ammo count remains the same.
  • Ol’ Reliable: Your third Primary Weapon is recovered when you repurchase Mule Kick. Does not apply to limited-quantity weapons (like certain Wonder Weapons). Your weapon now no longer falls to the ground and is instead stored within a realm out of your grasp… until Mule Kick is used again.
  • Multi Pack: Pack-a-Punching a weapon might cause another weapon you are carrying to upgrade to the same PAP level. This includes your dedicated Melee Weapon. If the upgrade doesn’t happen, the chances of it happening in the future increase.

Minor Augments

  • Fully Equipped: You can carry more Equipment. This allows you to carry one additional Tactical, and one additional Lethal.
  • Plate Hunter: You can carry an extra Armor Plate. Note this adds one to your Plates in reserve, not currently worn and protecting you.
  • BOGO: Crafted Equipment grants an additional Equipment up to the maximum capacity. This allows you to craft one item and get another one for free, if you have the inventory capacity.
  • Kick Back: Get a discount on Perks. This applies to purchasing Perks at machines, and the discount is significant.
Returning Ammo Mod: Light Mend
Bullets deal Light damage. Each bullet has a chance to transform a Normal or Special Enemy’s health into a Healing Glyph that moves to nearby injured allies. Unlock 21 total Augments to begin this Research. Any Augment Research undertaken in Black Ops 6 is brought into Black Ops 7.

Last introduced in Season 01 Reloaded of Black Ops 6, Light Mend offers you the chance to heal at the expense of your foes’ constitution. Ineffective against Elite enemies (unless an Augment is applied), Light Mend has a chance to activate on Normal and Special zombies, conjuring a glyph of light that moves to the nearest injured player and is absorbed, healing them.

Major Augments

  • Antibiotic: The Healing Glyph damages enemies that touch it, but this also reduces its lifetime.
  • Big Game: Light Mend can activate on Elite Enemies, dropping three more Healing Glyphs and doing more damage.
  • Dual Action: Consuming a Healing Glyph will temporarily allow you to heal faster.
  • Booster Shot: The Healing Glyph can now overcharge health.

Minor Augments

  • Longer Life: The Healing Glyph lifetime is increased.
  • Extra Strength: The Healing Glyph replenishes more health when consumed.
  • Express Remedy: Increase the range that the Healing Glyph will move to an ally.
  • Mitosis: Each activation has a chance to create an extra Healing Glyph.
Returning Ammo Mod: Shatter Blast
Bullets deal explosive damage. Each bullet that hits a Normal or Special Enemy has a chance to create an explosion that destroys armor. Unlock 21 total Augments to begin this Research. Any Augment Research undertaken in Black Ops 6 is brought into Black Ops 7.

Last introduced in Season 04 of Black Ops 6. Shatter the armor of standard and Special undead, unleashing an area blast whether armor breaks or not. The Shatter Blast effect triggers at random with a brief cooldown, ensuing some chaotic but vicious takedown potential. While Elites resist the direct blast (unless you’re well into your Augment Research), nearby explosions can still take their toll, so group the horde close when using this Ammo Mod.

Major Augments

  • Big Game: Shatter Blast can activate on Elite Enemies.
  • Blast Chain: Shatter Blast has additional detonations.
  • Blast Repair: When Shatter Blast destroys enemy armor, some of your armor is restored.
  • Blast Shield: Damaging multiple enemies with Shatter Blast temporarily mitigates damage you receive.

Minor Augments

  • Blast Zone: Increases the size of the explosion.
  • Blast Boost: Increase the explosion damage.
  • Blast Wave: Normal Enemies are knocked down by the explosion.
  • Blast Through: Weapons with Shatter Blast deal more damage through armor.
Returning Field Upgrade: Tesla Storm
You and nearby allies will generate electric fields that stun and damage enemies. Unlock six total Augments to begin this Research. Any Augment Research undertaken in Black Ops 6 is brought into Black Ops 7.

Last introduced in Season 01 Reloaded of Black Ops 6. Activate Tesla Storm to bathe the undead with Aether-infused electricity, chaining bolts between you and nearby teammates to stun and damage anything zombified in your path. Use it to cut a line through clustered enemies, alleviate a more desperate revive, or to turn the tide if you’re caught in a tight spot.

Major Augments

  • Transformer: The field’s damage is increased by the number of allies that are connected.
  • Shockwave: On activation, release an explosion that stuns and deals Electric damage to nearby enemies.
  • Static Discharge: On activation, create a lethal surge of electricity around you.
  • Haywire: Periodically send out electric charges that stun and damage enemies while the Tesla Storm is active.

Minor Augments

  • Power Grid: increase the range that the electric tether can connect to allies.
  • Overclocked: Your movement speed is increased during Tesla Storm.
  • Lithium Charged: Increase Tesla Storm duration.
  • Amped: Increase the Tesla Storm stun and damage radius.
Returning Field Upgrade: Frost Blast
Create a blizzard that deals lethal Frost damage on activation and slows enemies that enter it. Unlock 9 total Augments to begin this Research. Any Augment Research undertaken in Black Ops 6 is brought into Black Ops 7.

Last introduced in Season 03 Reloaded of Black Ops 6. Encase nearby undead in a freezing shockwave, slowing their advance and leaving them brittle enough to shatter with follow-up strikes. Perfect for crowd control or clutch revives, Frost Blast can allow you to regroup and retaliate before the next round begins.

Major Augments

  • Ice Slick: Enemies within the blizzard may be knocked down.
  • Flash Freeze: Normal Enemies within the blizzard will be frozen solid and are killed when damaged.
  • Frost Cast: The blizzard moves forward when activated.
  • Stone Cold Stronghold: Incoming damage is mitigated while you’re inside the blizzard.

Minor Augments

  • Extension: Significantly increase the blizzard’s duration.
  • Frostbite: Increase damage to frozen enemies.
  • Extra Charge: Increase Max Charges by one.
  • Deep Chill: Enemies continue to be slowed after leaving the blizzard.
Returning Field Upgrade: Mister Peeks
Summon Mister Peeks to our reality. Unlock 21 total Augments to begin this Research. Any Augment Research undertaken in Black Ops 6 is carried forward into Black Ops 7.

Last introduced in Season 05 of Black Ops 6. Deploy Mister Peeks, a devious dancing decoy that captivates and confuses the undead. Nearby Normal and Special zombies are drawn into his orbit before he detonates in a burst of energy and confetti. Use him to clear clustered hordes, quell advancing waves, or buy a moment to revive teammates. Mister Peeks brings equal parts distraction and destruction to any match.

Major Augments

  • Dance Party: Mister Peeks becomes the life of the party.
  • Arcane Fury: Mister Peeks becomes a master of the elements.
  • Apex Hunter: Mister Peeks focuses all attacks on the strongest nearby enemy other than bosses.
  • Peek Health: Heal rapidly while near Mister Peeks.

Minor Augments

  • Social Butterfly: Increase Mister Peeks’ attraction radius.
  • Peeks’ Favor: Mister Peeks is good to have around near Mystery Box locations.
  • Party Animal: Increase Mister Peeks’ dance duration.
  • V.I.B. Discount: Mister Peeks will offer an ammo discount to VIBs (Very Important Buddies).
New GobbleGums (Launch)
Crack a tooth and bring the elements to your next Zombies encounter, as well as some memorable tunes, with the following two new GobbleGums:

Elemental Exposure (New, Epic GobbleGum)

Type: Instant.

Zombies Description: [Lasts 3 Minutes] Your weapons will always inflict damage of the target’s Elemental Weakness.

DOA 4 Description: For the next ten minutes, you are invulnerable to all hazards. Not effective in the Boss Arena.

Slaylist (New, Whimsical GobbleGum)

Type: Instant.

Zombies Description: Plays a random Zombies song.

Returning Equipment (Mid-Season)

Expect an impressive increase in your Crafting Table equipment, as well as available Tactical and Lethal projectiles, as a variety of returning Black Ops 6 Equipment becomes available both in-game and in your Loadout.

Returning Tactical: Shock Charge

Electrical device that sticks to surfaces and electrocutes enemies, stunning them.

Accessibility: Loadout Menu, Crafting Table

Carry Capacity: 3

Salvage Required: 500

Available Criteria: Available Mid-Season.

Returning Lethal: Impact Grenade

A grenade that explodes on impact.

Accessibility: Loadout Menu, Crafting Table

Carry Capacity: 3

Salvage Required: 350

Available Criteria: Available Mid-Season.

Returning Lethal: Thermo Grenade

Creates a large fuel-air cloud that explodes after a duration.

Accessibility: Loadout Menu, Crafting Table

Carry Capacity: 4

Salvage Required: 350

Available Criteria: Available Mid-Season.

Returning Support: War Machine

Powerful burst-fire grenade launcher with grenades that explode on impact. Large magazine.

Accessibility: Crafting Table

Salvage Required: 2,250

Available Criteria: Available Mid-Season.

Returning Support: Grim Reaper

A semi-automatic rocket launcher that fires up to four rockets from a single cassette-style clip. Comes with two extra clips for rapid reloading.

Accessibility: Crafting Table

Salvage Required: 2,000

Available Criteria: Available Mid-Season.

Returning Support: Death Machine

Heavy minigun with a fast fire rate, high penetration, and a large ammunition capacity.

Accessibility: Crafting Table

Salvage Required: 1,750

Available Criteria: Available Mid-Season.

Returning Support: Combat Bow

A lightweight bow equipped with explosive arrows that detonate on impact, creating patches of flames.

Accessibility: Crafting Table

Salvage Required: 1,250

Available Criteria: Available Mid-Season.

Zombies Leaderboard Event
Season 01 brings a new Leaderboard Event to Zombies, giving players a chance to compete to earn Camos, GobbleGums, and additional rewards. At launch, brave the inky void as well as the zombie onslaught at Astra Malorum and take home more than just bragging rights.

The higher your placement in Leaderboard Event, the greater the rewards you’ll earn when the event ends including Camos and GobbleGums. Additionally, players can complete Leaderboard Challenges to unlock a Knife Blueprint and Weapon Charm

Dead Ops Arcade 4 Updates

New updates and improvements arrive in DOA 4 with Season 01, including:
  • New Modes & Playlist Updates
    • Full Leaderboard reset    
    • Hardcore Playlist added. Good Luck!
    • First-Person Mode introduced to the Normal Playlist.
  • Gameplay Improvements
    • Improved enemy targeting for more natural proximity-based behavior.
    • Adjusted enemy melee behavior.
    • Crawler zombies now expire 8 seconds after dismemberment.
    • Boss health rebalanced.
    • Updated barrel damage values.
    • Pole hazard lethality tuned.
    • Fixed issue where the Abomination enemy could spawn outside the map.
    • Player collision improved when boosting.
  • SlayerMart & Items
    • Multiple SlayerMart bug fixes.
    • Various SlayerMart price adjustments.
    • Added cooldowns and restrictions to select gums and store items.
  • Fates & GobbleGums
    • Fate of Firepower tuning updates.
    • Divine Shield Fate bug fixes.
    • Fate upgrades no longer apply to purchased temporary Fates.
    • Various GobbleGum fixes.
  • Stability & Controls
    • General stability fixes.
    • Improved save/load reliability.
    • Some controller input issues resolved.

Stay tuned to GamingTrend for more Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 news and info!

See also: Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 | PlayStation 5 | PC | Xbox Series X | PlayStation 4 | Xbox One | Treyarch | Activision | Video Games
Share this article
The link has been copied!
Affiliate Links