Mob of the Dead and the Art of Writing for Games

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Twitter: / whitecliffgames
After mixed reactions to their first major change to the Zombies formula with Tranzit, and similar reception to the follow-up with Die Rise, with Mob of the Dead the hype for Black Ops 2 Zombies was revitalized and the direction was set for the next two and a half full games.
"A Zombies Retrospective" is a series in which I play through each Call of Duty Treyarch Zombies map chronologically, and analyze its place in the series.
Media:
Bioshock
Call of Duty: Black Ops II
Call of Duty: Black Ops III
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
Silent Hill 2
A Bronx Tale (1993) dir. Chazz Palminteri
Escape from Alcatraz (1979) dir. Don Siegel
Goodfellas (1990) dir. Martin Scorsese
Reservoir Dogs (1992) dir. Quentin Tarantino
Silent Hill (2006) dir. Christophe Gans
The Sopranos S3E2 - Proshai, Livushka (2001)
Mob of the Dead - "Where Are We Going" Trailer
Mob of the Dead - Official Trailer
KZbin Video Footage - "Jason Blundell ARRIVES... w/ Something Very Special! (The Reveal)" from JCBackfire ( • Jason Blundell ARRIVES... )
"Promising Relationship" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
creativecommons...

[@whitecliffgames]

Speaking of cycles... did anyone notice the easter egg with how this video starts and ends?

[@Sweetdude64]

Nice...... ahahahaha

[@thedrunkmenace2250]

Its like poetry it rhymes

[@zeebaka]

@@Sweetdude64 "Clever girl..."

[@Swordbringer]

Reels potential 👀

[@lucasalexsander-]

the passion put on these videos are insane, great stuff man

[@patclearly]

This is the first vid about Mob of The Dead that actually focuses on narrative and not lore bs. Fandoms obsess over lore kinda by function, so you get these walls of text on wikis about dimensions and Apothicons and all of this stuff that was added later. You focus on the purgatory/hell endless cycle reinforced by gameplay. It's the best thing game narrative can do that others can't. You've done great work.

[@KevsShwaShwa]

Amazing comment. I absolutely despise the obsession over lore for lore’s sake and act like it’s gospel. Lore means nothing without character, plot, and goals/objective that present obstacle and emotional weight.

[@UngasBungus69]

You guys when there’s lore in video games: 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😡😡😡😡😡😡😡😭😭😭😭😭😭😡😡😡😡😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

[@Pixelblut]

I know Origins is an incredible map and it did much for the story, but Mob was always my favourite in BO2. Goosebumps all around while playing it. Love it

[@donovangallagher962]

Facts its the best map ever made

[@Freelancer837]

Yeah, Mob is still one of the all time best. I hate Origins

[@TheKenji2221]

Origins is one of the worst, on part with Tranzit. It's the definition of tedious and boring. Thats without considering Samantha, I hate hearing her bitching whining every single time I start the map. Mob and Buried had a much better execution

[@Freelancer837]

@Andrew C Yeah, I'm not a fan of basically needing to do the super long setup of Origins, and add to that the Aether storyline being where I got less interested in the story, and it just ends up being my least favorite Zombies map

[@onesaucynougat7471]

@@Freelancer837 the origins set up is just doing the generators, in mob you need to do a whole mini Easter egg to just get pack a punch

[@tannerdodge6029]

Where Are We Going is still my favorite piece of zombies music, it can apply to any of the characters, not just Sal, Finn, Billy and Al

[@schmuckmcgee7294]

On the topic of thematic cohesion (something this map excels at), here’s a few examples of that! -The ghosts in Afterlife have electric powers since that’s how they died. -To deliberately enter Afterlife, you must shock yourself to death. -The protagonists, in both life and limbo, are attempting to escape a hellish place and trying to gain their freedom. -Brutus can put the perks and box on lockdown and essentially revoke your privileges. Not unlike a warden. -The perks and Pack-a-Punch are all glitchy and hazy, except Electric Cherry since 1: The other perks come from another realm, and 2: Chronologically the other perks shouldn’t be invented for another decade or so. Time itself is out of wack. -The Devs said the Blundergat was inspired by the island’s Civil War history. From that, it’s safe to assume the Hell’s Retriever comes from its Native American history. The two Wonder Weapons only make sense on Alcatraz. -The three dog heads are a reference to Cerberus, guard dog of the Underworld. -Electricity and fire are recurring visual motifs, a reference to how they died and the flames of Hell respectively. -When Weasel gets downed and talks to himself, he says “You’re a survivor”. To break the cycle, this must be true. -The escape plan always fails, like in real life. -Finding a spoon behind a poster is a nod to a classic prison escape trope. Sorry this is so long, but I think it goes to show how well thought out all of this was (with maybe some happy coincidences along the way).

[@chimadang1573]

My favourite subtle mechanic is how the ghost forms let you revive yourself. In the opening cinematic you see the gangsters leaving each other to die, only trying to save themselves, it wouldn't make sense for them to revive each other in gameplay.

[@John_F_Kennedy627]

Missed detail, for the dogs head, you need 6 zombies for each of them, so, that makes 666

[@ajbzombie666]

Each of the three heads apparently respresent the past, the present and the future, according to the wiki. The head at the docks represents the past, since that is where the prisoners first arrive at the island. The head in the cell blocks is the present since that's where the prisoners mostly spend their time. The head in the infirmary represents the future due to being just below the roof, where the mobsters would at some point make their escape via Icarus, Al's plane.

[@sgt.zaitsev287]

​@@ajbzombie666 the roof is also where Al dies in the real world

[@riley5722]

Brilliant writeup, thanks for taking the time I really enjoyed reading. This should be on the wiki! I would love to see you do the same for Shadows of Evil, which is really a sister map to Mob of the Dead.

[@Spaced0ut]

Please keep making amazing content for the zombies community, I would expect this kind of content from the smith plays and his analysis videos, but these are on par with them. You seriously need more subs.

[@THEEJONESY]

Better than smith

[@Bluesjet1234]

The zombies community is dead and it shows

[@Spaced0ut]

@@Bluesjet1234 bro tryna be different💀

[@Plasmabolt64]

Smith WISHES he could write like this

[@YZYGWD]

​@@THEEJONESY I don't like the way the smith plays edits his videos and talks about irrelevant stuff for so long. This guy's videos are much more enjoyable

[@LulfsBloodbag]

1:04 when you've been playing so much BO3, go back to 2, and try to slide while training.

[@freewillygoss]

This is my all time favorite zombies map bar none. Blops2 was the game i played the most when I was younger and I'm nostalgic I'll admit, but this map to me is the most solid from that era and the environment just made it all that much better

[@antonio388]

💯

[@christianvennemann9008]

YES! I was eagerly waiting for your analysis of Mob of the Dead! One of the greatest zombies maps of all time, and it arguably saved the game mode after Tranzit and Die Rise

[@JP-mr1hn]

Was Tranzit considered bad?

[@jairesemccoy9779]

@@JP-mr1hn yes, by hardcore fans. Understandably too, but many casual players enjoyed it at its time. People that shit on tranzit forget that many people actually did enjoy it when it came out. But many years later after mastering bo2 zombies, tranzit is just a casual play. Get your five perks, fill up the bank, and get off the game or something. The Easter egg is fine, but you need friends with mics. The wonder weapon is a hassle to build and isn't worth getting most of the time.

[@blu4390]

@@jairesemccoy9779 you can’t get 5 perks on tranzit unless you’re lucky as shit

[@jairesemccoy9779]

@@blu4390 yes you can, just do this, but it can only be done on CO-OP from my knowledge. 1). Get quick revive 2). Get speed cola 3). Get double tap 4). Get Tombstone (has to be your last perk that you get). 5). Go to town and die (let the zombies eat you via tombstone "don't feed the zombies"). 6. VERY IMPORTANT STEP. DON'T GO BACK AND GRAB YOUR TOMBSTONE! YOU SHOULD GO TO JUGGERNOG OR STAMINA FIRST, and THEN you grab your tombstone. And bam, you'll have five perks. You can also do this on town. Benefit of having five perks on tranzit? None actually. 💀 It's a fun challenge. I suppose if you have the quick revive perma-a-perk, then you can revive a teammate in about 1.2 seconds.

[@trevionhenderson5721]

@@JP-mr1hn The problem with TranZit and Die Rise...honestly bo2 zombies in general is/was that the maps were simply too ambitious for their time. If bo2 zombies were redone on modern hardware, the original vision[s] of the maps could be fully realized and they'd be phenomenal.

[@fufu1405]

Isolated zombies maps like this or Shadows of Evil that tell a self contained story that connects to the bigger plot are pure fking magic. I love the main story as well, but I wish they would have done more stuff like this. The fact that they got real caliber actors adds so much depth that very few games can achieve. Still blows my mind how a sidemode like CoD zombies can provide some of the most unique and interesting gameplay and story, uncomparable to anything else on the market.

[@Cayde-6sHorn]

I never realized just how much the characters in Mob of the Dead looked like their voice actors until i looked at them side by side. I knew who the VAs were, but it just never occurred to me how far Treyarch went to make them look the part just as much as they sounded it.

[@themaxican5683]

While I'm not the biggest fan of Where Are We Going, there is this immortal moment where my friends started the song and after that were waiting for me on the gondola and I couldn't find the damn thing and got mocked the entire time by them just saying "Where are you going?"

[@nonono7973]

The most impressive thing about this map is that it's a multi-generational fan favorite. A lot of us that were playing zombies in our middle/high school years still have fond memories of this map and may consider it a favorite AND younger players who weren't playing zombies at release have gone back to it and fallen in love with it. Unlike some of the other older zombies maps, Mob has stood the test of time entirely off of its quality and design rather than nostalgia.

[@Aigis31]

Huge props for bringing up the concept behind creative leads and how they aren't the sole reason behind greatness. And never before have I wanted to play Mob of the Dead more than I do after watching this video! I missed out on it during its launch, sadly, but now I understand why it is so beloved.

[@Jetstreamsamdidnothingwrong]

One of the best aspects of mob of the dead is it's ambience and sound design every area has its own unique little themes and sounds and it creates a different atmosphere for each area the only map that comes close to mob in those aspects is shadows of evil

[@Saint-14s-Shadow]

God this map brings back so many memories, I remember me and a buddy of mine would always either play this or Origins. He'd always train on the rooftop and I'd always be in the cafeteria, we always knew our startup and did everything like clockwork so we can go for high rounds, I think the highest we got was into the 90's. I know it's not everyone's favorite but Mob will always hold a special place in my heart.

[@pablitorogel14]

I think the multi path intuitiveness really helps hammer home the narrative. All paths lead down the same end. You can forge your own path but it all ends the same way. Really puts you in your characters shoes.

[@unironic1184]

Mob of the Dead is legit my favorite zombies ever. Nothing has ever topped it. It BLOWS THE MODE out of the water. I still replay it to this day

[@arthurmcaryanmcnuggetsblackone]

I made it in minecraft 1 to 1

[@excalibur493]

Ay, same. I feel like when they made Blood of the Dead, they forgot what made the original so morbidly magical. Although, I think that could've been somewhat fixed just by us randomly seeing spirits and having the mobsters talk to us during the easter egg. I mean, Weasel's already fuckin with us. Why not have him speak?

[@ralphlorenzperolino3054]

Shadows beats it.

[@frankmalditx]

Definitely my favorite map of all time, staying up way past the time i should trying to get the plane parts, RIP Ray Liotta i was supper obsessed with Billy back in the day lol

[@TheRealSheoth]

I love this series. I've been playing zombies since Nacht and seeing someone do a deepdive into the history of the game in 2022 is great. I also love hearing from a new perspective, because there are definitely points in this series that range from strong agreement to heavy disagreement but its so fresh to hear. Keep it up, very excited for the future episodes!

[@theonewhoplays3819]

When I find a whole channel based on doing retrospectives of CoD zombies maps that are well done: “Ain’t that Swell?”

[@kainwittrig2180]

Me and the boy have been playing a bunch of Zombies we all live your videos and discuss them every weekend when we get together to play thank you man

[@truv_]

went to alcatraz recently with my girl. i literally was walking around as if i was there before (technically i had been) the island is actually beautiful, took my breath away. the MOTD is genuinely so similar to irl alcatraz its crazy. i wasin the showers area and got goosebumps because ive always felt showers in MOTD was spooky

[@shungite8240]

The Treyarch crew actually went to the actual Alcatraz in order to make it seem like it was the actual one

[@thee2724]

Great video. Something else about Mob that I really appreciate is how it was the first map (discounting Dead Ops) to have its own proper soundtrack. Always looked forward to Brian Tuey's soundtracks since that map.

[@dannyboi5887]

4:12 This whole bit right here is probably the biggest example of how fucking stupid and unnecessary this series' plot has become. Just a complete slap in the face to people who loved the mystery of Mob's initial story

[@xsonnyx1177]

I've recently came across your Channel and you are the best. Such nostalgia with every video. I'll be waiting for the next map, perhaps buried. Good job and keep up the work, love this series.. you brought Back my childhood memory. I'm currently 19 so these videos give me that joy as If I was in 2012 playing only transit because I had no internet. Don't stop making these vids

[@birdfacemd]

That "later" description of the plot was a hell of a tonal whiplash for someone who only ever played some of the world at war maps

[@1fh]

just gotta say I really appreciate your analysis. Most zombies analysis/video essays have some pretty boring surface level takes, it feels like they are just reading a wiki page on the map (tbh this applies to most 'video essays' on youtube). but I think your focus on map design provides a pretty unique perspective, and all from such a small channel. great videos keep it up

[@JacobSteakfries]

Hey man much love for putting this retrospective out. As a kid I never got past a CoD after Black Ops 1, so it's real interesting to see this culture I rubbed shoulders with for such a short time in such a digestible form. I look forward to the videos on future maps because it's all more or less new to me, and while there's videos that exist to analyze the plot there's very little out there about the community history and gameplay side of things.

[@matthewsellards7464]

Just discovered you and your videos are AMAZING, the only problem I have with them is that they aren’t longer! Keep up the awesome work!

[@ThisAbledOne]

Great video White Cliff. Seeing that clip you used for talking about Jason Blundell seriously gave me chills.

[@S_t_r_e_s_s]

Oh boy, my favorite map.

[@Jozombies115]

Phenomenal video, I'm going to start watching your retrospectives because this video was so exhaustive.

[@taylerdarlas1589]

For having such a small follower base you make great quality videos with a ton of research amazing work keep it up

[@B1g_B0sssss]

I have been waiting for this video, i really enjoy your videos, and just wanted to say to keep up the great work. I know they are hard to makezbut someday you will be just as big as the smithplays.

[@MeatObelisk]

"sir what do we do zombies isnt as loved as it once was" "oh straight to jail then"

[@bendybilly9945]

Binging this series, it's fantastic. Great work sir.

[@catalyst1641]

I just found your channel out of nowhere and these analyses are extremely well-written. This one specifically caught my attention, not just because it covers my favorite zombies maps ever made, but because it accurately describes everything that makes Mob of the Dead a masterpiece. I loved how you discussed the storylime and atmosphere in a much deeper way, saying how the characters are a "fragile alliance of criminals" rather than the typical heroic and over-the-top characters that we see in modern storylines such as Black Ops 3 and 4. However, I feel that most video essays on Mob of the Dead gloss over the significance of the Hell's Retriever. It was the first tactical/specialist weapon that we have seen in Call of Duty Zombies. It had a unique function in picking up drops and even one-shotting Brutus's helmet when fully charged and upgraded. Additionally, it is an infinite damage weapon, while the Blundergat and it's upgraded variants are not. This makes it your primary source of damage along with the traps on high rounds. It is also used to collect the skulls for the free Blundergat as well. In conclusion I found this video entertaining and reflective. Well done.

[@Dannymart_88445]

This map was always so scary to me for some reason. It had such an unique demonic and creepy atmosphere

[@longboardcat98]

So happy to see this video posted, excellent job on the video and showing everything special with the map. Also adding the Easter egg song at the end was just perfection 👌

[@VREMEPLOV1]

Very nice and to the point review of every zombies map- not too long/ boring but not too short/ lazy done. Really enjoy your zombies videos!

[@brinkleygeorge]

I've enjoyed all the videos up to this point and always appreciate another retrospective on one of my favorite game modes. Thank you for the nostalgia

[@RhythmThief3DS]

I still get chills down my spine whenever you do the ee and it says "Life Over" instead of "Game Over".

[@michaelsoto9062]

Since finding your channel, I’ve been super excited for this episode, thank you

[@dmnc_cmnd]

Your channel is genuinely so underrated. You have some really good & interesting takes, and your video production is super good. Lot of passion put into your content, and isn't just focused on being loud & annoying like a lot of big creators.

[@Scorcei]

So glad I stumbled on this channel, your videos have been so great to revisit every map again. Best choice to subscribe I’ve had in a while

[@LSB44446]

Playing the map for the first time after BO3 is awesome, I see where all the mechanics for Shadows of Evil came from, and the characters and dialogue is fantastic. They all question if they've been here before, the intro cinematic goes from early 1900's prison to nightmarish run down prison with cult ritual symbols and candles everywhere when color washes over it. Super hellish and awezome. The blue color palette with glowing yellow and oranges is so fantastic. The creepy writing in blood in foreign glyphs and symbols is so awesome too. Also didn't know Electric Cherry is just a pun, also makes sense that this is the only map it's on lol. Fantastic map. Very tough coming from BO3, but fantastic

[@Brobro7SF]

Glad i caught up on this playlist before any new ones came out.

[@MasterDoctorBenji]

Just when I found your channel and finished the wonderful series! What luck!

[@TitankroW]

I’m gonna be honestly I barely play zombies but you’re videos are amazing in terms of how you explain what each zombies map did to evolve zombies further and a great insight into the what the developers could’ve been trying in the game design

[@mandrewz2088]

Already got me excited for your next map analysis!! Keep up these awesome videos!

[@ramoncarrasco2208]

Ive been binging all your zombie videos and this is some great stuff man! you have a lot of great points and the vids are very engaging. Keep it up!

[@Be3stModeYT]

Your content is quality man it deserves so much more views keep up the grind

[@flawsuppergaming5536]

Yet another amazing video man! The work and research you put into these is honestly top tier. It's surprising to me that more people haven't found and subbed to your channel

[@elliotramos4495]

Yoo I can wait to you continue this series, it's amazing

[@dennismakarov93]

Last time I watched this channel (maybe like a week ago) you had no ads (under 1K subs) and now you’re at 6.6k 😳 your videos are finally blowing up eh? Good shit man

[@josejalaeno73]

The Silent Hill 2 comparison was honestly perfect. I’ve always loved this map for its otherworldly vibe and the fact that it’s punishing the characters/players for their crimes and sins, but never really knew what to compare it to, until now. And I’m a huge fan of Silent Hill, especially 2, so it’s a little embarrassing I’ve never put the 2 together lol.

[@erminrad1]

Cool in depth video. Relived some of my bo2 days in the process

[@nikolaithemartian]

It’s nice that not everyone is forgetting zombies! At least this way we can reminisce on the good old days to help pass the time over the next two years until the next game lol

[@EzDoesitYGO]

This just popped up in my recommended, fucking fantastic work, deserves a sub from me Maybe a retrospective on Buried could be cool? It's been my favorite map for almost a decade now, oh how time flies

[@Suegiclah]

YES WHITE CLIFF, YOU'RE GROWING. MY GUY IS GROWING! FROM HUNDREDS OF VIEWS TO TENS OF THOUSANDS! YOUR EFFORT IS NOT GOING UNNOTICED. ♥ YOUR EVALUATIONS OF THESE MAPS ARE BEAUTIFUL AND CONSTRUCTED MAJESTICALLY.

[@electricsuitbatman]

I've played every zombies & completed all the easter eggs up to bo4. That said THIS is still my favorite game/map ee

[@nathan420drake]

4:14 LMAO My girl had NO clue what you were talking about she's only played WAW and BO1&2 zombies

[@rogerlafaille9938]

Love your vids on zombies maps takes me back and apriciate the mode even more. And you make awsome content keep it up bro💪

[@acenotgay7793]

Mob of the dead is art

[@lukezyx8031]

This video is great BUT WHO BUILDS THE ACID GAT KIT IN THE CAFETERIA PS keep it up these videos have amazing quality and polish

[@elizaokawa]

I’m honestly looking forward to a Zombies in Spaceland analysis from you, but I’m worried I won’t get to see it.

[@Flugeo]

The map was honestly amazing but the one thing I hated beyond words is the constant lightning flash from the storm

[@oukeith]

Sweet a new white cliff video dropped!

[@yannlgh87]

What a great video for one of the greatest zombies map

[@prizmic3448]

I've been playing a lot of Dead of the Night recently and while I adore the map and the characters, I still think the story falls short and it's the main reason why I think Mob of the Dead still works so well, despite the cast and storyline being somewhat removed from the original. Sure, we see Dimension 63 later on in Bo3/Bo4, but even when it was disconnected back in Bo2, the narrative of the four mobsters was still so interesting to me.

[@HonkinChonker]

it also changed the way people went through maps. on most maps before people beelined to power now u have people splitting up to get parts and do dogs and get different perks. really changed the game

[@eerie5450]

Another amazing video, we all appreciate the effort you put into these! Looking forward to the next one!

[@bw7754]

Most played map for me, it is just great all around.

[@ojifididitsimpson]

Thank you for these videos man, love the classic zombies content!

[@unknownastroid_2240]

Die rise was my fav I made sure I had that dlc pack on what ever system I had.. something about that map just fascinated me

[@kxenyy]

love it man, hyped for the buried video

[@TheBigCrabber]

Congrats on making great vids consistently.

[@mfr3641]

these videos are really enjoyable when im playing games while watching youtube

[@Konichu35]

You are criminally underrated

[@HIPPYdaHIPSTER]

What I like about this map that most people dont realize is the regular PAPed blundergat is technically better than the PAPed acid gat, but without the monkey bomb effect on the shots

[@sloopersoaker6681]

Just binged all your vids and subbed. More please. Lol

[@rianjohnson4823]

patiently waiting for you to get to BO4, I’m really excited to hear someone say some positive things about it!

[@Mattice]

I am incredibly excited for the rest of the series. Looking forward to BO4 and Cold War especially.

[@HammerRacing]

these videos are really enjoyable to watch

[@alexmendoza3156]

this level of goat should be appreciated, expand to other platforms so more people are exposed to your amazing content

[@joelarias55]

Mob is the best map in zombies hands down

[@ClonedGamer001]

My favorite thing about Mob is that it's way more friendly to solo players than previous maps. Older maps were just generally easier with more players, and then in TranZit even opening PaP was a hassle if you were alone. On Mob the game gives solo players a bit more of a chance by giving them three afterlife charges. Plus all of the stuff in the map except the main Easter egg could be done solo.

[@dallinferguson994]

My favorite COD zombies map. I was highly anticipating this one

[@Mr.Quack_420D]

Did anyone else catch the either intentional or unintentional reference to Shawshank Reception where he used the word obtuse?

[@sloopersoaker6681]

Ay when you get to bo3 we all wanna hear your breakdown on zombie chronicles as well!

[@TurkeysAreChicken]

Easily my new favourite content creator

[@fishtacos6171]

Buried is my fav map can’t wait. You should talk about how Jimmy zielenskis ending is the rictofen and the maxis ending is the blundell

[@Royale9]

Mob is the definition of masterpiece. Words can't explain how amazing this map is. Personally I think the EE is too easy but objectively it's great because it's accessable for a large audience.

[@presidentjosh8252]

Mob has litterary merit

[@timtalks6080]

My personal favorite map of all time

[@Barcia14]

You're making me want to plug my Xbox 360 in again to play Zombies

[@gamingmoth4542]

I’m pretty excited to see ya do one on Buried, that’s probably my personal favorite on BO2 Zombies (sorry, Origins just doesn’t fit well with my casual gameplay). I did like Mob of the Dead though too.

[@Subject_Keter]

Never got to play Origins but the staffs always got my interest.

[@TheMIKEsteRpLayeR]

Keep it up. Cant wait for Origins

[@brunoveiga4979]

Ok I love this freaking channel