Black Ops 3 (2015) and Black Ops 4 (2018) represent the peak and transition of the Treyarch era between Black Ops 2 and the modern Black Ops cycle. BO3 brought wall-running and Specialist abilities to the series; BO4 replaced the campaign with Blackout — CoD’s first battle royale mode — and introduced a new zombies structure. This guide covers all BO3 and BO4 multiplayer maps, platform availability (including the important BO3 Xbox 360/PS3 situation), Specialists, Zombies Chronicles, and Zombies Chronicles 2 speculation.
For the Black Ops 2 complete guide including weapons, maps, and DLC, see our Black Ops 2 articles starting with the Black Ops 2 multiplayer guide — maps, game modes, weapons, and player count.
Black Ops 3 — Platform Availability (Important: Xbox 360 and PS3 Differences)
Black Ops 3 was released on November 6, 2015 on PS4, Xbox One, and PC as the primary platforms. It was also released on PS3 and Xbox 360 — but with significant content omissions. This causes confusion for players who owned the previous-gen versions.
| Platform | Available? | What’s Included |
| PS4 | Yes (full) | Complete game — Campaign, Multiplayer, Zombies, Shadows of Evil |
| Xbox One | Yes (full) | Complete game — Campaign, Multiplayer, Zombies |
| PC (Steam) | Yes (full) | Complete game — all modes |
| PS3 | Limited release | Multiplayer and Zombies ONLY — NO campaign; limited content |
| Xbox 360 | Limited release | Multiplayer and Zombies ONLY — NO campaign; limited content |
| PS5 | Via PS4 BC | Plays PS4 version via backwards compatibility |
| Xbox Series | Via Xbox One BC | Plays Xbox One version via backwards compatibility |
The PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of Black Ops 3 were developed by a separate team (Beenox) and are significantly cut-down versions — no campaign, fewer maps, lower graphical fidelity, and reduced online functionality. If you have a PS3 or Xbox 360 and bought BO3, you received a different and inferior product to the current-gen version. This is why searches like ‘black ops 3 ps3’ and ‘black ops three xbox 360’ are common — players trying to understand what they got.
Black Ops 3 — All Multiplayer Maps
Base Game Maps (14)
| Map | Notes |
| Aquarium | Glass-enclosed underwater facility; tight corridors |
| Combine | Desert research facility — bright, open sightlines; fan favorite |
| Exodus | Jungle-themed; vertical movement friendly |
| Fringe | Urban environment; standard three-lane |
| Hunted | Wilderness map — large, open spaces |
| Infection | Middle Eastern market — small and fast-paced |
| Metro | Underground transit — linear sightlines |
| Nuk3town | BO3 version of Nuketown — 2065 futuristic setting |
| Evac | Rooftop evacuation zone |
| Redwood | Forest — vertical wall-run opportunities |
| Stronghold | Alpine castle — mixed indoor/outdoor |
| Breach | Destroyed city — large urban map |
| Havoc (PS4 exclusive at launch) | Beach resort — timed exclusivity on PlayStation |
| Rise | Industrial facility |
BO3 Nuketown — Nuk3town
Nuk3town in Black Ops 3 is a futuristic reimagining of the classic Nuketown map set in 2065. It features the same two-house layout as the original BO1 Nuketown but with a sci-fi aesthetic — robot mannequins replace the human ones, and the visual style matches BO3’s near-future setting. Nuk3town was a pre-order bonus and later made available to all players. It plays identically to classic Nuketown — chaotic, close-quarters, constant action.
Black Ops 3 — DLC Maps
| DLC Pack | MP Maps | Zombies Map |
| Awakening | Gauntlet, Splash, Rise, Skyjacked (BO2 Hijacked remake) | Der Eisendrache |
| Eclipse | Knockout, Rift, Spire, Verge (WaW Banzai remake) | Zetsubou No Shima |
| Descent | Cryogen, Bender, Rumble, Empire (BO2 Raid remake) | Gorod Krovi |
| Salvation | Citadel, Rupture, Outlaw, Micro (BO2 Nuketown 2025 remake) | Revelations |
Black Ops 3 Specialists — Full List
Black Ops 3 introduced nine Specialists — named characters each with a unique Special Weapon or Special Ability that charges during a match. Unlike modern operators, Specialists actively impacted gameplay.
| Specialist | Special Weapon / Ability | Playstyle |
| Ruin | Gravity Spikes / Overdrive | Aggressive rusher |
| Seraph | Annihilator (revolver) / Combat Focus | Precision |
| Outrider | Sparrow (bow) / Vision Pulse | Scout/sniper |
| Reaper | Scythe (minigun arm) / Psychosis | Suppression |
| Battery | War Machine (grenade launcher) / Kinetic Armor | Explosive |
| Prophet | Tempest (lightning gun) / Glitch | Tech/utility |
| Nomad | H.I.V.E. (traps) / Rejack (self-revive) | Survival |
| Torque | Barricade (deployable wall) / Annihilator | Defensive |
| Firebreak | Purifier (flamethrower) / Heat Wave | Incendiary |
Zombies Chronicles — What It Is
Zombies Chronicles is a Black Ops 3 DLC released in May 2017 that remastered eight classic zombies maps from World at War, Black Ops 1, and Black Ops 2 in the BO3 engine with updated graphics, mechanics, and Easter egg connections. It is widely considered one of the best CoD DLC releases ever.
| Map | Original Game | Setting |
| Nacht der Untoten | WaW | German airfield bunker |
| Verrückt | WaW | German asylum |
| Shi No Numa | WaW | Japanese swamp |
| Kino der Toten | BO1 | German cinema |
| Ascension | BO1 | Soviet launch facility |
| Shangri-La | BO1 | Himalayan temple |
| Moon | BO1 | Lunar base |
| Origins | BO2 Apocalypse DLC | WWI France |
Zombies Chronicles 2 — Is It Coming?
Zombies Chronicles 2 has not been officially announced as of mid-2026. Community speculation about a potential second collection has persisted since Zombies Chronicles 1 shipped in 2017. A Zombies Chronicles 2 would logically remaster maps from Black Ops 2 (Mob of the Dead, TranZit, Die Rise) and Black Ops 3 (Der Eisendrache, Gorod Krovi, Revelations, Shadows of Evil) for a newer CoD engine. Given the success of the original Zombies Chronicles, community demand for a sequel is strong — but Activision has not confirmed any plans.
Black Ops 4 — Maps and Platforms
BO4 Platform Availability
| Platform | Notes |
| PS4 | Full game — Multiplayer, Blackout, Zombies |
| Xbox One | Full game |
| PC (Battle.net) | PC exclusive launcher — NOT on Steam |
| PS5 | Via PS4 backwards compatibility |
| Xbox Series | Via Xbox One backwards compatibility |
| PS3 / Xbox 360 | Not released on previous gen — BO4 was current-gen only |
Is Black Ops 4 on Steam?
No — Black Ops 4 is not on Steam. It is exclusively available on PC through Battle.net (Blizzard’s game launcher), making it one of the few major CoD titles not available via Steam. This is why ‘black ops 4 steam’ is commonly searched — players expecting it on Steam find it on Battle.net instead. Black Ops 4 is accessible on Battle.net by searching ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 4’.
Black Ops 4 Base Multiplayer Maps
| Map | Notes |
| Frequency | Mountainside research station |
| Gridlock | Urban Japanese city — Hijacked-style water section |
| Hacienda | Spanish villa — large, outdoor-focused |
| Jungle | Classic BO1 Jungle remake |
| Contraband | Container ship — similar vibe to Hijacked/Hacienda |
| Seaside | Mediterranean coastal map |
| Slums | BO2 Slums remake |
| Summit | BO1 Summit remake |
| Arsenal | Futuristic weapons testing facility |
| Firing Range | BO1 Firing Range remake |
Black Ops 4 Blackout — CoD’s First Battle Royale
Black Ops 4 replaced a traditional campaign with Blackout — a 100-player battle royale mode set on a large map featuring locations from across Black Ops history (Nuketown, Firing Range, Array, Asylum). Blackout was CoD’s first battle royale, launching about a month after Fortnite and PUBG had established the genre. It was well-received for its gunplay (using BO4 multiplayer mechanics) but was superseded by the free-to-play Warzone when it launched in March 2020.
For the most current Black Ops title — Black Ops 6 — see our guide to Black Ops 6 meta weapons, loadouts, Double XP, and DMZ — 2026 guide.
For Black Ops 3 on Steam and PC, see the Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 on Steam. For Black Ops 4 on PC via Battle.net, see the Battle.net — Call of Duty: Black Ops 4.
Black Ops 3 Zombies — Shadows of Evil and Beyond
Shadows of Evil
Shadows of Evil is the launch zombies map for Black Ops 3 — set in a 1940s noir city called Morg City. Four mobsters, a boxer, a femme fatale, and a detective are trapped in a city overrun by tentacled monsters and the undead. It is among the most thematically distinct zombies maps in CoD history, with a film noir aesthetic, a leveling ritual system, and one of the most complex Easter eggs in the series. Shadows of Evil introduced the Margwas (giant tentacle monsters) and the Beast mode mechanic.
BO3 Zombies Progression
Black Ops 3 zombies introduced a dedicated Zombie Gobblegum system — random power-ups from gumball machines that provide temporary advantages. Players could bring a stash of Gobblegums into a match, each providing effects ranging from free perks to temporary invincibility. The system was controversial for introducing an element of randomness and pay-to-win potential through Gobblegum microtransactions, but the core mechanics remain one of BO3’s distinctive features.
Black Ops 4 Zombies — New Structure
BO4 Zombies Departure from Tradition
Black Ops 4 zombies marked a significant departure from the connected storyline that had run from WaW through BO3. BO4 launched with three separate zombies experiences: Voyage of Despair (on the Titanic), IX (Roman gladiatorial arena), and Blood of the Dead (a reimagining of Mob of the Dead from BO2). These were standalone stories rather than continuations of the main zombies universe narrative, which divided the community — some appreciated the fresh settings, others missed the continuous Aether storyline.
Aether vs Chaos Storylines
BO4 zombies split its content between two separate storylines: the Aether story (continuing from WaW/BO1/BO2/BO3 with the original four survivors) and the Chaos story (new characters in different historical settings). The Aether storyline concluded in BO4’s Ancient Evil and Alpha Omega maps, while the Chaos storyline was left unresolved — a point of frustration for fans who wanted closure on both storylines.
BO3 Wall Running and Movement
How BO3 Movement Works
Black Ops 3 introduced movement mechanics borrowed from Titanfall and Advanced Warfare — wall running (sprinting along vertical surfaces), thrust jumping (double jumps using a boost), and sliding. These movement options significantly changed map design philosophy: BO3 maps have vertical elements and wall-run paths built into them specifically for the new movement system. The Combine, Evac, and Redwood are particularly well-designed for the new movement.
Community Response to Advanced Movement
The wall-running and boost jumping in BO3 divided the CoD community — a division that continues today. Players who enjoyed the expanded mobility found BO3 the most dynamic and skill-expressive CoD title. Players who preferred traditional boots-on-ground movement found the new mechanics frustrating and disorienting. Black Ops 4 removed thrust jumping and wall-running, returning to traditional movement, which itself divided the community. This boots-on-ground vs advanced movement debate remains one of CoD’s most enduring community disagreements.
Black Ops 3’s map design philosophy represents the peak of Treyarch’s three-lane map approach evolved for advanced movement. The studio designed every base game map with wall-running corridors, jump pads, and elevated routes that reward players who mastered the new movement system while still maintaining playability for those who preferred ground-level play. This dual-design approach — accessible from the ground, rewarding in the air — made BO3 one of the most replayable multiplayer experiences in the series, even if the full depth of the movement system takes dozens of hours to master.
Black Ops 4’s reception is complicated. Without a traditional campaign, BO4 leaned entirely on Multiplayer, Blackout, and Zombies — three complete packages each demanding significant player investment. Blackout was genuinely well-received as a battle royale, particularly its use of Black Ops history locations that rewarded long-term fans. The multiplayer, returning to boots-on-ground movement after BO3’s advanced movement, felt both familiar and slightly regressive depending on player preference. Zombies’ split between Aether and Chaos storylines divided the devoted zombies community. BO4 sold extremely well but is often considered a transitional game — between the BO3 era and the Modern Warfare 2019 reboot that transformed the franchise’s direction.
The question of Zombies Chronicles 2 also connects to a broader discussion about how Treyarch handles its zombies legacy. The original Zombies Chronicles showed that there is significant demand for remastered classic maps — it was one of BO3’s best-selling DLC releases. Black Ops 6’s zombies returning to round-based format has reinvigorated the community, and a Zombies Chronicles 2 that brought Mob of the Dead and Shadows of Evil to modern players would likely be commercially successful. The barrier is more licensing and development priority than demand — the decision would depend on Treyarch’s roadmap and Activision’s DLC strategy for the current live-service CoD ecosystem.
The PC versions of BO3 and BO4 tell different stories about Activision’s platform strategy. Black Ops 3 on Steam is a full-featured release that has maintained a dedicated PC community in 2026 — the game’s mod tools, custom zombies maps, and active multiplayer community have given it unusual longevity for a CoD title. Black Ops 4 on Battle.net has a smaller PC community partly due to its exclusion from Steam — players who prefer Steam-based game management find the Battle.net requirement inconvenient, and the game’s PC population never reached BO3 levels despite BO4 being the newer title. This platform fragmentation is one reason why Activision moved subsequent CoD titles to both Steam and Battle.net simultaneously.
For players deciding between Black Ops 3 and Black Ops 4 in 2026, the choice largely comes down to what experience you want. BO3 is the better choice for: zombies (Shadows of Evil, the DLC maps, and Zombies Chronicles all available), custom content and mods (extensive PC mod community), and traditional multiplayer with advanced movement. BO4 is the better choice for: battle royale experience (Blackout remains a solid game even in the age of Warzone), traditional boots-on-ground multiplayer without advanced movement, and the Aether storyline conclusion in zombies. Both games remain playable and have active communities in 2026, though BO3 has the larger active player count.
Bottom Line
| BO3 on Xbox 360/PS3? | Yes but NO campaign — multiplayer/zombies only; inferior version |
| BO3 base maps | 14 base multiplayer maps + 16 DLC maps across 4 packs |
| BO3 Nuketown | Nuk3town — futuristic 2065 version; same two-house layout |
| BO3 Specialists | 9 characters — each with gameplay-affecting special ability |
| Zombies Chronicles | BO3 DLC — 8 remastered classic zombies maps (WaW, BO1, BO2) |
| Zombies Chronicles 2 | Not officially announced as of mid-2026 |
| BO4 on Steam? | No — Battle.net only on PC |
| BO4 on PS3/Xbox 360? | No — current-gen only (PS4, Xbox One, PC) |
| BO4 Blackout | CoD’s first battle royale — 100 players; BO history locations |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Black Ops 3 on Xbox 360?
Yes, but with major limitations. The Xbox 360 version of Black Ops 3 (developed by Beenox) does not include the campaign — only multiplayer and zombies. It also has fewer maps and modes than the Xbox One/PS4/PC versions. If you want the full Black Ops 3 experience, the Xbox One or PC version is necessary.
What are all the Black Ops 3 maps?
Black Ops 3 has 14 base multiplayer maps (Aquarium, Combine, Exodus, Fringe, Hunted, Infection, Metro, Nuk3town, Evac, Redwood, Stronghold, Breach, Rise, and Havoc) plus 16 DLC maps across four map packs (Awakening, Eclipse, Descent, Salvation). Notable DLC maps include Skyjacked (BO2 Hijacked remake) and several other classic map remakes.
What is Zombies Chronicles?
Zombies Chronicles is a Black Ops 3 DLC pack released May 2017 that remastered eight classic zombies maps in the BO3 engine: Nacht der Untoten, Verrückt, Shi No Numa (all from WaW), Kino der Toten, Ascension, Shangri-La, Moon (all from BO1), and Origins (from BO2). It is available on PS4, Xbox One, and PC and is widely considered one of the best zombies DLC releases in CoD history.
Is Black Ops 4 on Steam?
No — Black Ops 4 is not on Steam. It is available on PC exclusively through Battle.net (Blizzard’s launcher). Search ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 4’ on Battle.net to find and purchase it. Black Ops 4 is also available on PS4 and Xbox One.
Is Zombies Chronicles 2 coming?
As of mid-2026, Zombies Chronicles 2 has not been officially announced by Activision or Treyarch. Community speculation suggests a second collection could remaster BO2 maps (Mob of the Dead, Die Rise, TranZit) and BO3 maps (Der Eisendrache, Gorod Krovi, Revelations, Shadows of Evil). No release date or confirmation exists — check official Call of Duty channels for any future announcements.
