How to unlock Cursed Mode in Black Ops 7 Zombies

Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Zombies is introducing Cursed Mode, a true return to form for one of the franchise's most beloved game modes. Cursed Mode is a classic version of modern Zombies, complete with a regular starting pistol, the old points system, and other modifiers to make your experience less of a cake walk and more hardcore.

However, while most traditional Zombies fans will want to boot up Cursed Mode right at the launch of Black Ops 7, it won't be available for anyone straight away. Treyarch has locked Cursed Mode behind a single challenge, and until you complete that challenge, you won't have access to it in Zombies.

Below, you can see exactly what you need to do to unlock Cursed Mode in Black Ops 7 Zombies.

At the time of writing, we don't yet have access to Black Ops 7, and the multiplayer beta hasn't even begun. However, thanks to some new details from data miners, we are fairly confident in the method to unlock Cursed Mode.

According to leaker Alaix on X/Twitter, Cursed Mode can only be unlocked in Zombies after you have completed the Main Easter Egg Quest in Standard or Directed Mode.

Treyarch itself has been reluctant to reveal this tidbit of information, as the developers wanted players to find out for themselves how to unlock the new mode. However, no detail is safe in the age of data mining, and while leaker Alaix's information could turn out to be incorrect, there's a high chance that completing the first Easter Egg will unlock Cursed Mode. This simply seems like the only way the mode could be unlocked, as Treyarch likely intended for players to complete that hurdle before jumping into a much more challenging mode.

At the launch of Black Ops 7, you will only have access to Standard Mode to complete the Easter Egg. After the Easter Egg has been solved through Standard Mode, Directed Mode will arrive (likely a week or so after launch) and give players a much easier way to solve the Easter Egg. Directed Mode gives players all of the steps to complete the Easter Egg, just like it does in Black Ops 6.

Cursed Mode has also been confirmed to feature the Easter Egg quest, so players can really test themselves by completing it twice, once in Standard/Directed Mode and once in Cursed Mode.

We'll confirm this method of unlocking Cursed Mode after Black Ops 7 launches on Nov. 14, which might take some time depending on how difficult and convoluted the Easter Egg turns out to be. Until then, you can also take a look at our guides covering all the scorestreaks in multiplayer and core changes to the camo grind in BO7.

Stay tuned to EsportsGG for all future Black Ops 7 news and guides, including coverage of the multiplayer beta and COD Next.