Two of the biggest zombie franchises are teaming up as World War Z’s next story campaign DLC will cross over with The Walking Dead. Players will be able to take control of four of the iconic characters from the show–Rick Grimes, Daryl Dixon, Negan, and Michonne–with The Walking Dead stars Andrew Lincoln and Norman Reedus reprising their roles as Rick and and Daryl, respectively. The first trailer for the crossover should look very familiar to fans of both franchises.
The new episodic campaign will unfold over three stories that revisit locations from The Walking Dead, including Grady Memorial Hospital, the Prison, and the Alexandria Safe Zone. But don’t count on facing The Walking Dead’s infamously slow hordes of walkers. This DLC is pitting the characters against a new incarnation of World War Z’s Zeke swarms.
There’s also a fresh take on a Zeke called Spiked Walkers. This zombie is impervious to melee attacks unless it’s been knocked over. However, the window of opportunity to take it out is short, and once it’s back on its feet, it’s no longer vulnerable.
As seen in the trailer, the signature weapons of each character are intact. Michonne has her katanas, Daryl’s got a crossbow, and Negan’s got “Lucille,” a barbed wire bat that he’s used on both the living and the dead. Rick has a revolver, but all of the characters can switch to heavy artillery when the situations call for it. And they will.
The World War Z x The Walking Dead DLC will debut in January 2026 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC.