What Was the First Call of Duty Zombies? Unearthing the Undead Origins
The first Call of Duty Zombies experience was Call of Duty: World at War, specifically the final post-credits scene of the campaign, titled “Nacht der Untoten.” This unassuming bonus mode unexpectedly spawned one of the most beloved and enduring sub-franchises in gaming history.
Humble Beginnings: The Seeds of Undead Chaos
The Call of Duty franchise, initially renowned for its grounded World War II simulations, took a sharp and unexpected turn with the introduction of Zombies. This wasn’t a planned feature from the start but rather a playful experiment by a small team within Treyarch. The team, seeking to add a humorous epilogue to their gritty war story, stumbled upon a formula that would resonate with millions.
Nacht der Untoten: The Original Nightmare
Nacht der Untoten (German for “Night of the Undead”) was startlingly simple. Players were trapped in a dilapidated, two-story farmhouse, constantly besieged by waves of increasingly aggressive Nazi zombies. There were no objectives, no storyline, and no traditional campaign mechanics. The only goal was survival.
- The map consisted of a single, confined structure with boarded-up windows.
- Players could purchase weapons off the walls using points earned by killing zombies.
- Random “mystery box” locations offered a chance at powerful weapons, but also the risk of getting something undesirable.
- The gameplay loop was brutally addictive: survive, earn points, upgrade weapons, repeat.
Why Was It So Popular? The Allure of Undead Mayhem
Despite its simplicity, Nacht der Untoten captured the imagination of gamers in a way few could have predicted. Several factors contributed to its immediate and enduring popularity:
- Cooperative Gameplay: Zombies was designed from the ground up as a cooperative experience. Working together with friends to strategize, revive fallen teammates, and defend against the horde was incredibly rewarding.
- Constant Challenge: The escalating difficulty of each wave meant that players were always on the edge of their seats, constantly adapting their tactics and resource management.
- Rewarding Progression: Earning points, unlocking new weapons, and achieving higher rounds provided a tangible sense of progression, even without a formal storyline.
- The Mystery Box: The element of chance introduced by the Mystery Box added a layer of excitement and unpredictability to each game.
- Dark Humor: The over-the-top zombie gore, coupled with the sarcastic banter of the characters (later expanded upon), provided a welcome dose of dark humor that contrasted with the serious tone of the main campaign.
From Epilogue to Phenomenon: The Evolution of Zombies
The success of Nacht der Untoten proved that there was a massive appetite for this new breed of Call of Duty experience. Treyarch recognized this potential and began to develop Zombies into a full-fledged mode with its own unique characters, storylines, and gameplay mechanics. This led to the expanded Zombies experiences in subsequent Call of Duty titles, most notably Call of Duty: Black Ops.
Comparing Nacht Der Untoten to Later Zombies Iterations
| Feature | Nacht der Untoten (WaW) | Later Zombies (e.g., Black Ops) |
|---|---|---|
| Storyline | Minimal/None | Complex, multi-layered narrative |
| Maps | Single, simple map | Larger, more intricate maps |
| Characters | None (Generic Marines) | Defined characters with backstories |
| Special Weapons | None | Wonder Weapons, Specialist Abilities |
| Objectives | Survival only | Easter Eggs, Story-Driven Tasks |
| Perks | None | Perk-a-Colas for enhanced abilities |
Common Misconceptions About the First Zombies
A common misconception is that the first zombies appeared in the main campaign of World at War. While zombies do appear as enemies in some sequences within the single-player campaign, Nacht der Untoten was the first dedicated Zombies mode, and therefore the true origin of the sub-franchise. Another misconception is that other zombie modes existed before Nacht der Untoten. While other games certainly featured zombies, this was the introduction of Zombies within the Call of Duty universe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where exactly do you access Nacht der Untoten?
Nacht der Untoten is accessed by completing the main campaign of Call of Duty: World at War. Once the credits roll, players are treated to a post-credits scene. After a few moments, the farmhouse map will appear, and the undead onslaught will begin. There is no specific menu entry; it’s a hidden reward for completing the game.
Were there any playable characters in the original Nacht der Untoten?
Not in the way we understand playable characters today. In Nacht der Untoten, you played as generic US Marines with no names, backstories, or unique dialogue. They were essentially blank slates for the player to project themselves onto. Defined characters wouldn’t arrive until later installments.
What were the primary strategies for surviving in Nacht der Untoten?
The most common strategy involved “camping” in specific areas, like the upstairs room, and funneling zombies through doorways. Players would strategically board up windows to slow down the horde and conserve ammunition. Coordinating weapon purchases and revives with teammates was also crucial for survival.
Did Nacht der Untoten have a proper ending?
No, Nacht der Untoten has no defined ending. The game continues until all players are dead. There’s no escape, no victory cinematic, and no grand finale. The only goal is to survive as long as possible, pushing your round count higher and higher.
How did the Mystery Box work in the original Zombies?
The Mystery Box, also known as the “Random Weapon Box,” cost 950 points per use. When activated, it would spin a selection of weapons, eventually landing on a random gun. It could offer powerful weapons like the Ray Gun or Monkey Bombs, but it could also give you something less desirable, like a basic pistol. The box’s location would change randomly after a set number of uses.
Were there any special weapons or wonder weapons in Nacht der Untoten?
Unfortunately, no. Unlike the later iterations of Zombies, Nacht der Untoten did not feature any explicitly defined “Wonder Weapons.” While the Mystery Box could provide powerful weapons such as the Ray Gun and the Browning M1919, they weren’t officially labeled or designed as Wonder Weapons at this stage.
What was the highest round achievable in Nacht der Untoten?
Theoretically, there is no upper limit on rounds in Nacht der Untoten. However, as the game progresses, the zombies become increasingly faster and stronger, eventually making survival nearly impossible. Extremely high rounds are often achieved through glitching and exploiting game mechanics.
Did Nacht der Untoten have any Easter Eggs?
Nacht der Untoten lacked the elaborate, story-driven Easter Eggs that became a staple of later Zombies maps. However, some subtle secrets and hidden dialogue lines were present, hinting at a larger narrative that would later be explored in subsequent installments. These, however, are not considered Easter Eggs by today’s definition.
How did Nacht der Untoten influence future Call of Duty Zombies maps?
Nacht der Untoten laid the foundation for everything that followed. The core gameplay loop of surviving waves of zombies, earning points, and upgrading weapons remained central to the franchise. It also introduced elements like the Mystery Box and boarded-up windows, which became iconic features of the Zombies experience.
Why is Nacht der Untoten considered so important in Call of Duty history?
Because Nacht der Untoten was the unintentional spark that ignited the Zombies phenomenon. It demonstrated the potential for a cooperative, horde-based mode within the Call of Duty universe, and its unexpected success paved the way for the creation of one of the most beloved and enduring sub-franchises in gaming history.
Was Nacht der Untoten initially intended to be more than just a post-credits bonus?
No, Nacht der Untoten was initially conceived as a small, lighthearted bonus feature. It was a surprise addition and not originally planned as the basis for a larger, ongoing story or mode. The team was surprised by its popularity, which led them to invest more heavily in Zombies for future games.
What’s the best way to experience Nacht der Untoten today?
The original Call of Duty: World at War is the most authentic way to experience Nacht der Untoten. However, the map has been remade and remastered in later Call of Duty games, such as Call of Duty: Black Ops III, offering a more visually polished and feature-rich experience while retaining the core gameplay of the original. Choose your poison!