Fast versus slow. This varying approach to depicting zombies in film, television, and video games has been going on for decades. The Zekes in World War Z are known for their speed and relentless aggression, stacking on top of each other in a frenzied bloodlust to seek out their next meal. But as we pondered this concept, we found ourselves asking, “Why not both?” The idea of transforming gameplay with Walkers became the crux of our partnership with AMC to bring a crossover episode of The Walking Dead into World War Z.
Maps will still be similarly-sized as to what you’ve experienced in World War Z so far, but we’ve made the routes that you traverse more narrow and claustrophobic. You’ll be forced to take down tougher and deadlier herds as they slowly shuffle towards you, with a constant threat of being overwhelmed. Our special Zekes (Bulls, Bombers, etc.) will remain a part of the mixture of enemies, but we’ve also added in a new special – the Spiked Walker. He’s got an armored head and can cause players to bleed if they get too close to him. As you may have guessed, melee is a bad idea — at least initially. You should take down the Spiked Walker from range, forcing it to go prone, then finish it off with a coup de grace for the most efficient kill. If you don’t kill it while it’s down, it will get right back up and keep coming for you.
But the Walkers are not the only content in this crossover DLC…
This new campaign episode brings to life three separate but thrilling chapters starring legendary characters from AMC’s The Walking Dead – Rick Grimes, Daryl Dixon, Negan, and Michonne. Andrew Lincoln and Norman Reedus have reprised their roles, providing the voiceover to bring these fan-favorite characters to life.
The Walking Dead’s heroes won’t be coming empty-handed, either. Rick brings along a new weapon skin for his trusty Revolver, while Daryl sports a new skin for his lethal Crossbow. Michonne and Negan will each wield completely new melee weapons – Michonne with her iconic Katana and Negan with his one and only Baseball Bat, “Lucille”.
As for the stories themselves, Chapter 1 begins at The Prison, where Rick, Daryl, Michonne, and Negan battle their way through the correctional facility that the band of survivors previously used as a base, then abandoned when it was overrun. What begins as a rescue mission quickly becomes a life and death struggle to survive against an army of the dead.
In Chapter 2, the four return home to Alexandria, only to discover that the town is on fire and overrun with Walkers. A series of problems make it more and more difficult to ensure the safety of the survivors within. It may take some ingenuity to salvage that which remains…
Finally, in Chapter 3, the crew travels to Grady Memorial Hospital to retrieve life-saving medication for their community. Atlanta, however, is more walker-infested than the last time they were there, so they have to be extremely cautious as they make their way through the hospital. If they succeed, it could mean saving many lives.
We hope that this crossover of post-apocalyptic universes proves once and for all that both slow and fast zombies can indeed coexist, albeit delightfully un-peacefully. World War Z x The Walking Dead DLC launches on PS5 and PS4 in January 2026.
