Unlock the Undead: Why the COD Infinite Warfare Zombies DLC Still Haunts Players Years Later
When Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare launched in 2016, many fans braced for a divisive space-bound shooter. What they didn’t expect? A zombies mode so rich in narrative, atmosphere, and replayability that it would become one of the most beloved entries in the entire franchise. The COD Infinite Warfare Zombies DLC wasn’t just tacked on—it was a love letter to horror-comedy fans and CoD veterans alike. Blending campy B-movie charm with surprisingly deep gameplay mechanics, this mode carved its own bloody niche in the undead pantheon.
A Fresh Take on a Classic Formula
Unlike previous iterations that leaned into occult or sci-fi horror, Infinite Warfare’s zombies mode—titled Zombies in Spaceland, Rave in the Redwoods, Shaolin Shuffle, and Attack of the Radioactive Thing—went full retro. Each map is themed after a different 1980s pop culture trope: an amusement park, a summer camp slasher, a kung fu flick, and a radioactive monster movie. The result? A wildly entertaining, self-aware romp that doesn’t take itself too seriously—but takes gameplay very seriously.
Developed by Infinity Ward with heavy influence from Treyarch’s legacy, the COD Infinite Warfare Zombies DLC introduced new mechanics like the “Fate and Fortune” card system, which allowed players to gamble perks and modifiers for unpredictable boosts. The “Gumball Machine” replaced the Mystery Box in Spaceland, offering randomized weapon upgrades with hilarious voice lines. These weren’t gimmicks—they were thoughtful evolutions that rewarded experimentation and teamwork.
Narrative Depth Beneath the Camp
Beneath the neon lights and cheesy one-liners lies a surprisingly intricate storyline. Players follow the misadventures of four B-list actors—Aaron “A.J.” Jordanius, Andre Wright, Poindexter, and Sally Simpson—who get trapped in a cursed movie theater run by the enigmatic Director Willard Wyler (played with delicious menace by Paul Reubens). Each DLC map is a “film” they’re forced to star in, battling zombies while unraveling Wyler’s sinister motives.
What sets this apart from earlier zombies modes is its narrative cohesion. Easter eggs aren’t just hidden radios or chalk drawings—they’re full cinematic sequences, voice-acted cutscenes, and even musical numbers. Completing the main easter egg in Shaolin Shuffle, for example, unlocks a kung fu training montage set to an original 70s-style funk track. It’s absurd, yes—but it’s intentionally absurd, and that’s where the charm lies.
Gameplay That Rewards Mastery
While casual players can blast through waves with shotguns and claymores, the COD Infinite Warfare Zombies DLC truly shines for those willing to dig deeper. Weapon upgrades via the “Pack-a-Punch” machine return, but now with multiple tiers and visual transformations. The “Ripper” shotgun, for instance, evolves from a standard close-quarters blaster into a glowing, serrated monstrosity called “The Reaper’s Eulogy.”
The introduction of “Perk-a-Cola” variants tied to the gumball machine added strategic depth. Instead of fixed perk locations, players could gamble for random perks—including rare “Fortune” cards that might grant quad damage… or turn all zombies into clowns. This risk-reward system kept matches dynamic and prevented stale meta builds.
Perhaps most innovative was the “Mission” system. Between waves, players could accept side quests like “Kill 15 zombies with headshots” or “Don’t move for 30 seconds.” Completing these granted bonus points, power-ups, or even temporary weapon spawns. It encouraged varied playstyles and kept even veteran players on their toes.
Case Study: Why “Rave in the Redwoods” Stands Out
Take Rave in the Redwoods—a map dripping with 80s summer camp nostalgia. The setting alone is genius: neon-lit cabins, a foggy lake, and a DJ booth blasting synthwave. But what elevates it is the environmental storytelling. Notes scattered around the map reveal the camp’s descent into chaos, while hidden cassette tapes unlock bonus cutscenes. The main easter egg culminates in a boss fight against “The Beast,” a towering werewolf-zombie hybrid that requires precise coordination to defeat.
Players have documented dozens of strategies for this boss, from luring it into electrified water to using the “Boom Box” power-up to slow its movements. Community forums still buzz with debates over optimal loadouts—proof that the COD Infinite Warfare Zombies DLC wasn’t just fun at launch; it fostered a lasting meta.
Community and Longevity
Despite Infinite Warfare’s lukewarm initial reception, its zombies mode developed a fiercely loyal following. Speedrunners dissected every frame of the easter eggs. Modders created custom maps and texture packs. Even today, dedicated servers host weekly tournaments where teams compete to survive the highest round with self-imposed handicaps (“no perks,” “pistols only”).
Why? Because the mode respects the player’s time. Unlike some bloated modern live-service games, the COD Infinite Warfare Zombies DLC packs dense, handcrafted content into each map. There’s no grinding for cosmetics—just pure, adrenaline-fueled survival with friends. The humor helps too: hearing Poindexter scream “I REGRET NOTHING!” as he’s devoured never gets old.
The Legacy of Infinite Warfare’s Undead
In retrospect, the COD Infinite Warfare Zombies DLC