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Image via Activision Blizzard

Is Modern Warfare 3 Zombies PvP? Other Players on Map, Explained

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3's Zombies Mode is totally different, packed with zombies and players, but it's unclear if it's PvP or not.

When you load up a game of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Zombies (MWZ), you might have noticed that you’ll always have other players on the map with you. That’s got a lot of people wondering: is Zombies in Modern Warfare 3 PvP?

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Zombies Mode in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is open world, meaning players can roam a huge region filled to the brim with the undead. There are secrets to discover, pick up some Perk-a-Colas, and enjoy what feels like an open world Call of Duty game with real objectives and goals to complete. However, the presence of other players is a constant worry because it’s never certain if they’re after the undead, or after other players for prey.

Related: When is the Start Date for Modern Warfare 3 & Warzone Season 1?

Does Zombies Have PvP in CoD MW3?

No, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’s Zombies mode does not have any PvP functionality. Instead, it as a PvE experience that is intended to be enjoyed with friends or other players in co-op, but can be technically enjoyed as a solo experience.

The other players on the map will also be facing off against the undead horde, as well as the other AI enemies, but players can’t deal damage to or fight one another. The confusion appears to have arisen due to the fact that you’ll always have other players on the map with you in MWZ.

Even if a player disables ‘Squad Fill’ when setting up a zombies game, they’ll be put onto a map with other players doing their own thing. It’s then down to you to decide whether you want to just play solo, or try and band up with other players to try and survive that little bit longer.

How to See Other Players’ Locations

Screenshot of the map in Modern Warfare 3 zombies showing the blue arrows of other players in the game.
Image Source: Activision via Gamepur

If you’re looking to find some other players to link up with, open up the map by pressing the View button on Xbox, touchpad on PlayStation or Tab on PC. You’ll then see blue arrows dotted all around the map.

Should You Team Up with Other Players?

That’s a question that comes down entirely to personal preference. If you’re wanting to try and survive for as long as possible, then you’ll want to find other players and join up with them. However, if you’re more about testing your zombie-killing prowess riding solo, then you’ll want to just give other players a wide berth so they don’t inadvertently make things easier for you by gunning any of those animated corpses down.

How to Join a Squad in MW3 Zombies

Screenshot of the interaction wheel with the options to join another team's squad and invite them to join in Modern Warfare 3 Zombies.
Image Source: Activision via Gamepur

If you stumble upon another team and find yourself getting incredibly overwhelmed, you can press and hold up on the d-pad of your controller and select the ‘Request to Join Nearby Squad’ in the bottom right segment on the interaction wheel that appears on-screen.

Alternatively, if you’re already in a squad and want to invite another player to join your rag-tag team, you can select the ‘Invite Nearby Players to Join Your Squad.’

That’s everything you need to know on whether or not Modern Warfare 3 Zombies is PvP. For more tips and tricks on the game, we’ve got you covered with a comprehensive MW3 Tactical Stance guide, all multiplayer maps and game modes, and how to mute other players.


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Chris Jecks
Chris Jecks has been covering the games industry for over eight years. He typically covers new releases, FIFA, Fortnite, any good shooters, and loves nothing more than a good Pro Clubs session with the lads. Chris has a History degree from the University of Central Lancashire. He spends his days eagerly awaiting the release of BioShock 4.
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Jamie Moorcroft-Sharp
Jamie Moorcroft-Sharp is a Staff Writer at Gamepur. He's been writing about games for ten years and has been featured in Switch Player Magazine, Lock-On, and For Gamers Magazine. He's particularly keen on working out when he isn't playing games or writing or trying to be the best dad in the world.