It's been over four years since Treyarch introduced the popular Outbreak mode, a groundbreaking open-world Zombies experience. Fans have long awaited its return, especially after rumors and leaks suggested that Outbreak would make a comeback in Black Ops 7. However, it seems that Treyarch decided to scrap Outbreak entirely, replacing it with a brand-new mode that combines elements from Outbreak, Modern Warfare Zombies, and DMZ. This new mode, called "Endgame," introduces a unique PvE experience that focuses on shared progression and large-scale cooperative gameplay. If you want to skip tedious grinding, buying a cheap CoD BO7 Bot Lobby might be the legit solution for those who prefer a more relaxed, efficient way to level up.

The Rise and Fall of Outbreak in Black Ops 7
The story of Outbreak’s disappearance begins in November 2024. Just a month after Black Ops 6 launched, well-known data miner alanthethird_90 shared an in-game text leak on Twitter. The leak revealed an upcoming mode with an objective called "Control," which involved a meteorite fragmenting and scattering Element 115. At the time, the significance of this leak was unclear. However, it was later revealed that "the guild" referenced in the leak was related to Black Ops 7, where the guild is one of the two central factions in the campaign.

As the months passed, rumors grew about Outbreak’s return in Black Ops 7. Leaks suggested that Outbreak would be set on the Avalon map, and insiders like TheGhostOfHope hinted at a potential launch alongside Black Ops 7. In August 2025, HeyImAlaix even suggested that Black Ops 7 could feature up to four different Outbreak maps or, more likely, four distinct difficulty zones. However, when Black Ops 7 was officially revealed, Outbreak was notably absent. Instead, Treyarch introduced a brand-new mode: "Endgame."

Endgame: A New Kind of PvE Experience
"Endgame" is a massive 32-player, co-op PvE mode set across the entire Avalon map. Unlike traditional Zombies modes or DMZ, "Endgame" introduces a fresh approach to multiplayer survival. Players take on missions and challenges while exploring the map, with the ultimate goal of reaching the hardest regions and completing objectives. The mode is designed to offer freedom and replayability, with players able to customize their loadouts and operate with a variety of characters.

One of the key features of "Endgame" is the combat rating system. Players begin in lower difficulty regions and must upgrade their combat rating by completing activities, taking on assignments, and battling enemies. These upgrades come with significant power boosts, such as increased health, mobility, or damage, as well as unique skills that define combat roles. The progression system is crucial, as each time players level up, they must choose between new power upgrades or skills to improve their operator.

Players must be strategic in their progression, as death in "Endgame" carries serious consequences. If a player is eliminated during a run, everything is reset, including their combat rating and any progress made. This creates a high-stakes environment similar to DMZ and Modern Warfare Zombies, where the threat of losing everything makes each decision matter.

The Mechanics of "Endgame"
"Endgame" shares some DNA with DMZ and Modern Warfare Zombies but distinguishes itself with its unique mechanics. Players will face challenges and objectives throughout the map, but unlike DMZ, there is no player-versus-player (PvP) interaction. The primary focus is on PvE, with soldiers and zombies making up the enemies players must face.

One of the key features in "Endgame" is the emphasis on assignments—larger objectives tied to the Black Ops 7 storyline. These assignments can be completed solo or cooperatively with other players. If players encounter another squad working on an assignment, they can team up to tackle it together, much like in Modern Warfare Zombies, where players could join forces to defeat powerful enemies.

"Endgame" also offers a variety of unique abilities, such as a "mega jump" for vertical mobility, a "battle hook" for precision attacks, and a deployable shield or drone kit. These abilities add another layer of strategy, allowing players to adapt to different situations and optimize their combat style.

Shared Progression and Seasonal Updates
Treyarch has emphasized the importance of shared progression across all game modes in Black Ops 7. This means that players will be able to level up their weapons and operators regardless of which mode they are playing, ensuring that every hour spent in Black Ops 7 feels rewarding. Additionally, "Endgame" will be supported by seasonal updates, with new content planned for the first three seasons. Treyarch has made it clear that the mode will evolve based on player engagement, with the potential for more updates if the community demands them.

The mode also features camos, weapon challenges, and other unlockable content tied to the shared progression system. This allows players to continue progressing, even after they've reached the max combat rating.

Conclusion: A Bold New Direction for Treyarch
While "Endgame" is not exactly the return of Outbreak many fans were hoping for, it offers an exciting new take on PvE gameplay in Black Ops 7. Combining the best elements of Outbreak, Modern Warfare Zombies, and DMZ, Treyarch has created a mode that provides a deep, strategic experience focused on cooperation, progression, and high-stakes gameplay. As the mode continues to evolve through seasonal updates, it will be interesting to see how players respond to this ambitious new take on Zombies and PvE multiplayer experiences.

With Black Ops 7 slated for release soon, it remains to be seen how "Endgame" will be received by the community. But one thing is certain: Treyarch is pushing the boundaries of what a PvE experience can be, and players are in for a wild ride.