When custom zombies first emerged from the shadows, mappers spent lots of time working on the maps themselves and less time on the extras. There were generally the 4 basic perks and stock weapons with basic textures. Very few maps included new features (buyable endings, custom & hidden weapons, eastereggs, etc.), but the maps were still pretty impressive and fun to play.

Old Map Examples: Subway, Pirate Ship, Dead Sand Elite, Baseball Field, ZM Mars, Cavern, Verruckt Mansion, Berlin Bank, Epitaph, Hotel, Simpsons, USFO, frt, Skate Park, Area 51, Junkyard, Moon of Fooy, Grid2, Waterworks (You may not even recognize some of these maps)

Nowadays, custom zombies has evolved into an entirely new game featuring new game modes, objectives, weapons, textures, perks, and pretty much everything else you can think of. Thanks to the mappers, modders, and scripters of the community, pretty much anything is possible in a custom zombies map. It seems as if a new map means a new feature or idea coming to life.

New Map Examples: Malibu Drive: Age of Apocalypse, Leviathan, Cheese Cube Unlimited, Exo Zombies, Cryogenic, Library, Project Contamination, Insanatorium, Das Herrenhaus, Alien Defense, UGX Requiem, Stairway to Hell, Deadship

Now my question to you, members of the community, is "Do you miss the old style low key custom maps? Do you like the more recent heavy custom content custom maps? Which do you prefer and why?"

I still love the old classics the most, but I believe that has mostly to do with nostalgia and being a noob at zombies.
Personally and overall I believe the new maps to be the best as they usually have the most features and replayability.
Also another reason why I believe new maps to be the best is when I see a new map with something original or a beautifully made map it just puts me in awe and surprise of what some people can achieve.

Thats just my 10 cents though, I'd like to see some more peoples opinions .

When custom zombies first emerged from the shadows, mappers spent lots of time working on the maps themselves and less time on the extras. There were generally the 4 basic perks and stock weapons with basic textures. Very few maps included new features (buyable endings, custom & hidden weapons, eastereggs, etc.), but the maps were still pretty impressive and fun to play.

Old Map Examples: Subway, Pirate Ship, Dead Sand Elite, Baseball Field, ZM Mars, Cavern, Verruckt Mansion, Berlin Bank, Epitaph, Hotel, Simpsons, USFO, frt, Skate Park, Area 51, Junkyard, Moon of Fooy, Grid2, Waterworks (You may not even recognize some of these maps)

Nowadays, custom zombies has evolved into an entirely new game featuring new game modes, objectives, weapons, textures, perks, and pretty much everything else you can think of. Thanks to the mappers, modders, and scripters of the community, pretty much anything is possible in a custom zombies map. It seems as if a new map means a new feature or idea coming to life.

New Map Examples: Malibu Drive: Age of Apocalypse, Leviathan, Cheese Cube Unlimited, Exo Zombies, Cryogenic, Library, Project Contamination, Insanatorium, Das Herrenhaus, Alien Defense, UGX Requiem, Stairway to Hell, Deadship

Now my question to you, members of the community, is "Do you miss the old style low key custom maps? Do you like the more recent heavy custom content custom maps? Which do you prefer and why?"

A good map is a good map at the end of the day, but there is definitely a growing trend towards shitty below par mapping and more custom features these days, which is sad to see. For example, Library is fucking garbage and makes even Cheesecube look detailed, but just because the 'mapper' added some (paid for) custom guns he thinks it's great

On the flip side there are maps that are coming out now that take WAW to the next level both mapping and mod wise but they are few and far between. So on the whole I'd say the standards of mapping are worse, but the very best maps are better than anything that came out in the early days. So it's a double-edged sword really.

When custom zombies first emerged from the shadows, mappers spent lots of time working on the maps themselves and less time on the extras. There were generally the 4 basic perks and stock weapons with basic textures. Very few maps included new features (buyable endings, custom & hidden weapons, eastereggs, etc.), but the maps were still pretty impressive and fun to play.

Old Map Examples: Subway, Pirate Ship, Dead Sand Elite, Baseball Field, ZM Mars, Cavern, Verruckt Mansion, Berlin Bank, Epitaph, Hotel, Simpsons, USFO, frt, Skate Park, Area 51, Junkyard, Moon of Fooy, Grid2, Waterworks (You may not even recognize some of these maps)

Nowadays, custom zombies has evolved into an entirely new game featuring new game modes, objectives, weapons, textures, perks, and pretty much everything else you can think of. Thanks to the mappers, modders, and scripters of the community, pretty much anything is possible in a custom zombies map. It seems as if a new map means a new feature or idea coming to life.

New Map Examples: Malibu Drive: Age of Apocalypse, Leviathan, Cheese Cube Unlimited, Exo Zombies, Cryogenic, Library, Project Contamination, Insanatorium, Das Herrenhaus, Alien Defense, UGX Requiem, Stairway to Hell, Deadship

Now my question to you, members of the community, is "Do you miss the old style low key custom maps? Do you like the more recent heavy custom content custom maps? Which do you prefer and why?"

Oh man I remember waterworks, with Pap weapons out of da box. But I'd Rather stick to new maps.

(I wish for a Waterworks remake with a Black ops Feel)

Older maps definitely. More dark and challenging for all the right reasons.

I have to disagree with the notion that "custom" textures look better than the stock ones in the vast majority of maps. Usually they are the same if not less quality IMO.

I still like both , old&new. for me i loved the gaint map . I survived till round 15 withount even jugg. Then the shit started to hit the fan. Can you add both to the poll.

I'd have to say I like the newer maps as mappers have begun to learn the tools more and have more experience at creating beautiful looking maps. Its actually quite difficult to find a good looking map that is old.

I believe that newer maps move the community forward, tackle challenges and create in depth maps, along the way. As newer and newer generations, come along and play what era cod zombies games they grew up playing, they will always look back on the core maps that started the trend, and learn to appreciate all maps! Kinda short and sweet, but appreciate all maps for what their worth, even the shittest maps inspire others to make better maps.

I'm not really into old custom zombies, but actually some of my favourite maps are the oldies. Moon of fooy and Panic Center (gosh, I love that one, especially it's L4D-style gameplay).

I wasn't really a big part of Custom Zombies, or much into it when these "old" maps were made. They just don't look as interesting for me to try currently. I love tons of custom features, to make it feel less like WaW. You see maps like Oil Rig, it really does make me feel like I'm in Bo2. The lighting, features and so on makes it look completely different.

Older maps definitely.

I must say you're a man of surprises Mr. DD. I never expected you to say that.

Its actually quite difficult to find a good looking map that is old.

Seelow, Farm Swamp, Nacht der Toten Walder?

I have to disagree with the notion that "custom" textures look better than the stock ones in the vast majority of maps.

100% agree with this statement. I'm not sure what it is, I just love the stock textures better 

Seelow, Farm Swamp, Nacht der Toten Walder?

Don't forget Panic Center, Dollhouse 2, Project X, Yote's Lair, Zombie Rich, and Dead Sand 8) So many great old maps out there.

But I do admit, reflecting Exo's statement, more recent custom zombie maps simulate that Black Ops 2 playstyle more and more. 

Seelow, Farm Swamp, Nacht der Toten Walder?

2 of those aren't really that old, and seelow as the only one I could think of that was the exception.