Treyarch’s revamped Zombies mode in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 offered a fresh take on undead survival. But a controversial November 17th update has zapped the zombie hordes of their menace, leaving players bored and frustrated.
MW3 Zombies Ditches Round-Based Combat
Rather than traditional finite rounds, MW3 Zombies utilizes an open-ended hub structure across expansive maps. Players activate portals to trigger zombie assaults of varying difficulty.
The endless gameplay loop encouraged pushing deeper to reap greater rewards. Surviving the onslaught required skill and coordination.
Controversial November 17th Update
A patch on November 17th adjusted Zombies, citing “stability improvements.” Chiefly, the update significantly reduced zombies spawning at Exfil escape portals.
Where massive crowds previously swarmed players desperately fleeing to exfiltrate, only a scant few zombies now arrive.
Fans Slam Lackluster Zombie Spawns
Video comparisons reveal the stark contrast between packed pre-patch Exfils and the new lackluster spawns.
Many fans are decrying the change as detrimental and “boring.” Zombie hordes provided an intense, rewarding challenge that emphasized MW3 Zombies’ appeal.
With Exfils now feeling mundane and unchallenging, fans argue the mode has lost its luster. Surviving the escape felt earned before — now it’s guaranteed.
Poor Communications and Implementation
While stability fixes are understandable, the extent of the zombie reductions seems excessive.
Fans contend that other solutions like lowering server population would have been preferable to neutering horde spawns.
Moreover, the patch notes failed to communicate the significant impact on zombie counts. Transparency could have eased some backlash.
The Future of MW3 Zombies
Hopefully Treyarch can find a middle ground, keeping servers stable while restoring zombies to intimidating numbers.
With post-launch support planned, Zombies has room to grow into an undead showcase again. But for now, surviving the Exfil escapes has lost its appeal.