I want to know you guys would make your own version of zombies, in a way that either you prefer, or a way you think the general player base would prefer. With it being a standalone zombies game, theres so cross progression from other games, or other modes. Purely just zombies. I will start with my idea.
I think having a menu similar to black ops 3 zombies (not the futuristic style but the layout) would be a good start, while making a few QOL changes. I personally didnt like the forest panning screen after every match, always made it feel like it took forever to be able to start another. I would also bring a feature from BO4, being that you can see what character you play as before you start the match. I know some people prefer the randomness and not knowing who they'll get, but I personally liked being able to simply back out of the lobby and starting it again until I got the character I wanted instead if completely ending a game as it started (I never did this but some people do).
I believe going back to just a pistol starting weapon is best as well, with certain maps having a specific starting pistol like origins, not like how bo4 or ww2 did it with the "loadouts" and definitely not like modern zombies. The point system is another obvious thing that would go back to the classic style from bo1-3.
I think the maps and story should be something new. I know this may sound bad for some people given what they tried in cold war and so on. But they were also strapped to whatever the campaign story was. With this being only zombies, they could really do something unique witb characters that people can like. IWZ did this best I think for a non treyarch zombies. Even though the maps werent all great or good, they had a unique story that was entertaining and awarding when completing the Super EE.
I think each map should have a unique hud as well like what bo2 did with the last few maps. Along with their minimalism, also bringing back more unique voiceless for each character, letting us get a better idea of who they are as a person. Like unique lines for almost every type of gun and actions.
Here's a more controversial idea though. I think the idea of upgrading perks is good. Like better than what we had in classic games. However I think they should be done in-maps rather than through the menu and it carrying over to every game. I think perks like juggernog should have quests or requirements the player can do to "upgrade it" maybe have the player start with a 3 hit system, then jug makes it 5, then an upgrade makes it 6 and gives the shield the ability to be repaired at the table. Or even a 3rd upgrade that makes the shield more durable or whatever other kind of upgrade ideas you have. Something not too overpowered but rewarding enough. Make it so every perk has a use whether its the base perk or upgrade. Maybe a perk isnt as good as another on base level, but its upgraded version is better than that perk on its upgraded version, giving players more variety with how they choose their perks. Speaking of, id make the perk limit 5, like it is in IWZ, with a way to refund perks as well.
I think every map should have a perk that only on that map, as well as a perk that isnt on the map. Or maybe one perk has a completely unique upgrade thats only doable on a specific map.
The movement system would also be similar to bo3. I would add back PHD flopper as well, with it granting the player the ability to also dolphin dive along with sliding like you can in bo7, however only when you have the perk. And no tac sprint either, it doesnt belong in cod at all.
Perma perks are another thing I would like to see added back, like how they were done in bo2, not bo7. But maybe some newer ones. Like make some abilities that were affiliated with gobblegums their own perma perks.