New Black Ops 7 Zombies Reveal: Fresh Gameplay Changes Explained

[Jimekalmiya]

With Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 releasing in just a week, Treyarch has finally revealed new gameplay details for Zombies, including updates on Cursed Mode, the redesigned HUD, and new systems that shape how players will experience the mode at launch. If you're preparing for Day 1 progression, Easter egg hunting, or simply want a smoother start to your Zombies grind, now is the perfect time to understand what’s coming.

Cursed Mode: The Classic Survival Challenge Returns

Cursed Mode is an optional, high-difficulty experience designed for players who want a more traditional, hardcore Zombies feel. In this mode, players start with strict limitations:

You begin with only a pistol
Loadout weapons are disabled
Classic Black Ops 3–style point system returns
The minimap is removed
Ammo costs are increased

But the main feature of Cursed Mode revolves around Relics—debuff modifiers hidden throughout Ashes of the Damned.

Nine Total Relics

Players can unlock a total of nine Relics, each introducing unique challenges such as:

A four-perk maximum
Disabled ammo caches
Other map-altering debuffs

These Relics must be earned by completing undisclosed in-game challenges, making them miniature quests within the mode itself.

Tier System: More Relics = Higher Difficulty

Equipping more Relics before starting a match increases your Cursed Tier, with Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 representing escalating difficulty levels.

Each Tier unlocks benefits to offset the challenge. For example:

Tier 1: Golden Armor wall-buy location
Tier 2–3: Stronger in-game bonuses to help you survive harder debuffs

Completing Cursed Mode at each Tier also offers exclusive rewards, encouraging players to take on the toughest versions of the experience.

Cursed Mode Unlock Timing

Cursed Mode becomes available after the world’s first completion of the Ashes of the Damned Easter egg. Once unlocked globally, all players can dive in.

HUD Improvements and Customization

One of the biggest criticisms during alpha and beta testing was the Zombies HUD. Treyarch has improved the default Aetherium HUD, giving it a more thematic look with:

Updated minimap style
Redesigned health bar
More polished element layout

Players now have extensive customization—hundreds of options—allowing them to hide almost every UI element to create a cleaner, more immersive layout.

Recommended settings remove unwanted clutter like:

Minimap
Compass
Scorestreak widgets
Toast popups
Zombie health bars
Damage numbers

The result is a much cleaner, more classic Zombies presentation.

New Intel Menu

Zombies lore collectors will enjoy a redesigned Intel Menu, now divided into:

Audio Logs
Documents
Artifacts

Each collectible rewards XP and can be inspected fully. Treyarch has hinted that these intel drops may have more mystery and narrative depth than previous entries.

Get Ahead Fast: Buy Safe and Affordable CoD BO7 Bot Lobbies at U4GM

With Cursed Mode challenges, Easter egg races, and intense progression systems launching on Day 1, many players look for ways to speed up their early grind. This is where U4GM’s CoD BO7 Bot Lobbies offer a massive advantage.

Fast Setup – Jump into progression-boosting lobbies quickly
Affordable Pricing – Competitive rates for all types of players
Reliable Reputation – Known for providing legit, efficient services
24/7 Customer Support – Always available to assist with orders

Whether you're aiming to level weapons, unlock camos, or prepare for the upcoming Zombies challenges, U4GM helps you get a head start without the grind.

With the game only days away, now is the time to prepare. Whether you're diving into Cursed Mode, hunting for Easter eggs, or simply planning to level up fast, U4GM’s CoD BO7 Bot Lobbies can give you a valuable advantage right from launch.