If you’re a fan of Call of Duty’s popular Zombies mode, then you’re likely familiar with the iconic bunker from the Nacht der Untoten map. This dimly lit and eerie bunker was the original setting for the mode that has since captivated fans across the globe. However, as the Zombies mode progressed over the years, the lore and narrative around the bunker grew and evolved. This article aims to explore the transformation that occurred between the original map and its reimagination in Die Maschine. We’ll delve into the changes and differences between the two maps, the lore and narrative behind them, and the impact of the bunker on the overall Zombies mode experience. So, if you have not been keeping up to speed on the events that have unfolded, this page will bring you back up to speed!
Origins of the Bunker
The exact location of the bunker in Nacht der Untoten is difficult to establish. We know from the assets and content from World at War that this takes place on Peleliu Island, Palau. However, the lore behind this Zombies map doesn’t necessarily follow that of the main story of World At War. There were suggestions that this was located in Germany but it was not confirmed. We later find out from the map Die Maschine, that the bunker is located in Poland.
The base was originally used as a testing ground for various experiments conducted by Group 935, a secret organization led by Dr. Ludvig Maxis. Group 935 was researching Element 115, a mysterious element with supernatural properties. It is believed that the experiments conducted within this bunker were aimed at harnessing the power of Element 115 for military purposes, which ultimately resulted in the creation of the undead. Very little was explained during the first iteration of Nacht Der Untoten however. The true story was told over the years as future Call of Duty games expanded upon this game mode.
Outbreaks and Supernatural Phenomena
During the height of World War II, the base experienced an outbreak, leading to the undead rising from the experiment’s aftermath. As the situation escalated, soldiers stationed at the base fought to secure the premises and prevent the outbreak from spreading. However, the soldiers were overwhelmed, and the base was soon overrun by the horde of zombies.
After the initial outbreak, the bunker in Nacht der Untoten was abandoned, left as a haunting reminder of the failed experiments and the horrors that had taken place within its walls. The location of the bunker and its undead inhabitants became lost to time until it resurfaced later in the Zombies mode of subsequent Call of Duty games.
How Did The Soldiers Get There For The First Nazi Zombies Game Mode?
The four soldiers in Call of Duty: World at War’s mode Nacht der Untoten were American soldiers who had been in the area when an outbreak of the undead occurred. It’s unclear how they specifically ended up at the bunker, but it can be assumed that they sought refuge there when the horde of zombies began to overrun the area.
In the game mode, players are instructed to defend the bunker from waves of zombies, utilizing their available weapons to survive as long as possible. As the rounds progress, the zombies become stronger and more aggressive, presenting a greater challenge to the players.
The game mode’s focus is on the survival of the players against an overwhelming and seemingly endless horde of undead. The backstory behind how the soldiers specifically ended up at the bunker is not fully fleshed out, but it can be assumed that it was simply a matter of finding shelter during a desperate situation. This game mode is an endless wave without the story elements that appeared in later levels.
Tank Dempsy, Nikolai Belinski, Takeo Masaki, and Edward Richtofen were the characters from subsequent zombie maps but it was not obvious during the initial release of World at War. We could assume four soldiers defending the bunker in Nacht Der Untoten did not survive.
Reappearance in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
In Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, the storyline of Zombies features a dimension known as the Dark Aether. Here, the abandoned bunker is rediscovered and plays a key role in the battle against supernatural forces. As part of the narrative, a new mission called “Operation Excision” sends players into the bunker to recover critical information and uncover the mysteries of the Dark Aether.
The Dark Aether Connection
The Dark Aether is an alternate dimension filled with dark energy and corrupted versions of reality. It expands upon the original Zombies storyline, introducing new characters, enemies, and mysteries. The presence of the bunker in the Dark Aether suggests that the experiments conducted by Group 935 had deeper implications and connections to this alternate dimension.
Is The Nacht Der Untoten Bunker From World at War the Same Location From Die Maschine?
Nacht der Untoten and Die Maschine share similarities but have differences in terms of visuals, atmosphere, and gameplay. To explain how they fit into the lore, we need to look at the overarching narrative of the Zombie’s model and the events that transpired between the two maps. During the opening scene for Die Maschine, we see that this is located in Poland, which adds some questions around the already ambiguous location of Nacht Der Untoten map from World at War.
- Alternate Dimensions and Time Travel: In the Zombies mode of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, the storyline introduces the concept of alternate dimensions and time travel. The Dark Aether is an alternate dimension filled with dark energy and supernatural phenomena. Within the Dark Aether, different versions of reality exist, and time is non-linear.
- Reimagining Nacht der Untoten: “Die Maschine” is a reimagined version of the original Nacht der Untoten map. It represents an alternate dimension or a different iteration of the original location from World at War. The events and changes that occurred between the two maps are a result of the alternate dimension’s influence and the progression of the storyline.
- Destruction and Dark Aether Corruption: Between the events of Nacht der Untoten and “Die Maschine,” the bunker was likely destroyed or fell into a state of disrepair due to the outbreak of the undead and the passage of time. Moreover, the Dark Aether’s corruption could have affected the environment, resulting in the graffiti and presence of pulsating lights seen in “Die Maschine.”
- Zombie Hordes and the Dark Aether Influence: During the time gap between the two maps, the zombies themselves may not have been physically present in the same location. It is possible that they were scattered or relocated, drifting throughout various dimensions or trapped in the Dark Aether until they found their way back to the reimagined bunker in “Die Maschine.”
- A New Military Presence and Study: In “Die Maschine,” the map introduces a new military presence known as Requiem, who are investigating the Dark Aether and its connection to the undead. This military presence could explain the additional features and technology seen in “Die Maschine,” such as the presence of Grafitti and the lighting setup, as Requiem establishes its own base of operations within the reimagined location.
Overall, the events that transpired between Nacht der Untoten and Die Maschine involve the influence of alternate dimensions, the effects of time, the corruption of the Dark Aether, and the introduction of a new military force. These factors contribute to the differences in visuals, atmosphere, and the presence of the undead in the reimagined map. The expanded storyline and exploration of different dimensions allow for the evolution and reinterpretation of classic maps within the Zombies mode of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.
This is of course just a theory. It is possible that the Zombies in Nach Der Untoten originated from the underground structure we discovered in Die Maschine. The Russians sealed up the area and could have cleared the hordes of zombies in the process. Over the years, people could have found the bunker and its use as a hangout spot could have resulted in the graffiti and decor that we see in Die Maschine.
Continuity and Expansion
Over the years, the bunker from Nacht der Untoten has become an iconic location, and subsequent Zombies maps have often referenced or expanded upon its history. It serves as a reminder of the origins of the undead and a link to the convoluted and ever-evolving storyline of the Zombies mode.
The detailed history and lore surrounding the bunker from Nacht der Untoten showcase the experimentation, outbreak, and supernatural phenomena that have shaped the Zombies mode in the Call of Duty franchise. From its origins in World War II to its reappearance in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, the bunker stands as a central piece in the expansive Zombies narrative, hinting at the mysteries and horrors that lie both within and beyond its walls.
Nach Der Untoten Was Not Fully Planned Out From Day 1
The game mode of Nacht der Untoten and the Zombies mode in Call of Duty has an interesting origin. Initially, the developers at Treyarch Studios created Nacht der Untoten as a bit of fun, not expecting it to become as popular as it did. It can be considered the origin of the whole Zombies mode that followed in subsequent Call of Duty games.
Due to the unexpected popularity of Nacht der Untoten, fans demanded more Zombies content, the developers had to adapt and expand the lore as they went along. This may explain why the lore around Nacht der Untoten and the early Zombies mode is somewhat sketchy, with the story being developed incrementally rather than having a fully planned-out narrative from the start.
Die Maschine may be an alternative reality but the truth behind it all is that Nacht Der Untoten was a fun game mode that blew up and due to this success, the developers ran with it. There was no foresight to plant easter eggs or content in this map that would later explain things that happened in future games.
Why Did It Stop Being Called Nazi Zombies
Initially, the game mode for Nacht der Untoten was indeed called Nazi Zombies. However, the name was later changed to Zombies due to concerns over the use of the term Nazi in the title. The developers made this decision to avoid potential controversy and ensure the game mode was more inclusive and accessible to players worldwide.
Later versions of the game introduced locations and zombie types that were no longer Zombies so it made sense to generalise the naming. Why risk the potential trouble of keeping the original name when the game mode had expanded so significantly from what it had originally intended to be?
Final Thoughts
Originally a small survival map created for fun, the success of Nacht der Untoten led to the expansion of the Zombies mode and the development of an intricate and evolving storyline. The map itself represents a dark and eerie environment, with the abandoned bunker acting as a key point of interest.
As the Zombies mode progressed, the lore and narrative surrounding the bunker grew, introducing concepts such as alternate dimensions, time travel, and the influence of the Dark Aether. This allowed for the re-imagination of the map in Die Maschine.
While the exact details of how the bunker transformed between Nacht der Untoten and Die Maschine may be open to interpretation, the introduction of alternate dimensions and the progression of the storyline provide plausible explanations for the differences.
Overall, the bunker in Nacht der Untoten holds historical significance within the Zombies mode of Call of Duty, acting as the starting point for a mode that has become beloved by players worldwide. Its evolution and the ongoing development of the Zombies lore continue to captivate fans and ensure the enduring popularity of this iconic gaming experience.
