Controls / How to Play

Master the controls for Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War's Dead Ops Arcade 3. Learn button mappings for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, and understand the HUD elements.

Dead Ops Arcade 3 (DOA3) is a top-down, twin-stick shooter where players battle hordes of zombies. The game uses a control scheme similar to SMASH TV, with additions for first-person mode and vehicle interaction. Controls may vary slightly between PC and home consoles.

NOTE: First-person mode controls are standard for Call of Duty gameplay, including underwater movement.

Player HUD (Heads-up Display)

The DOA3 HUD displays key information for each player:

• First Place: Indicates the player with the highest score.
• Lives: Starts at 3, maxes at 9 (10 with Divine Chalice). Icon shows damage level; a full red icon means a life is lost. Traps, hazards, elites, and bosses kill instantly.
• Bolts: Represents speed boosts. Starts at 2, maxes at 9 (10 with Furious Feet).
• Nukes: Indicates bombs. Starts at 1, maxes at 9 (10 with Divine Shield).
• Keys: Used for locked doors and chests. Max 10. In solo, a key can grant an extra life.
• Score: Your total points. Each zombie kill is 100 points. Earn a free life every 200,000 points.
• Weapon Power: Indicates secondary weapon tier. Disappears as weapon is used, returning to the base LMG. Tiers: Gray Gun (1st), Red Gun (2nd), Purple Gun (3rd).
• Multiplier Bar: Shows progress to the next score multiplier level.