How a scrapped Nazi defense mode became a multi-billion dollar franchise

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: It was almost cancelled for being too risky and off-brand. Instead of a standard military shooter, a small team at Treyarch created a mode where players are overwhelmed by an endless horde. Today, it is a cornerstone of the Call of Duty series, spanning decades of lore.

The Zombies mode debuted in 2008's Call of Duty: World at War. It was born from a scrapped idea to have players defend against Allied soldiers during the Normandy landings. Designer Jesse Snyder pivoted the concept after seeing Japanese soldier animations that 'looked like zombies.' He drew inspiration from a Flash game called The Last Stand, aiming to create a feeling of being overrun where players could not easily win, breaking the series' tradition of feeling invincible.

Studio head Mark Lamia initially tried to shut the project down because the game was behind schedule. He feared the mode was too 'ridiculous' to market. To mitigate risk, he allowed the mode to exist only as a bonus feature unlocked after completing the campaign. However, its popularity grew so rapidly that it was eventually unlocked for all players. The mode's success was so significant that it remains a primary reason many players purchase the games today.

The mode has evolved from a single map, 'Nacht der Untoten,' into a complex narrative spanning multiple games. It features unique mechanics like 'Perk-a-Colas' for stat upgrades, 'Pack-a-Punch' machines for weapon modification, and 'Mystery Boxes' for random loot. The lore has expanded into a massive 'Aether' storyline, including a 'soft-reboot' in 2020 that introduced the Dark Aether—an alternate dimension created by sealing multiple timelines into one.

Beyond the main series, the mode has spawned standalone mobile titles, a comic book series starting in 2016, and dedicated soundtrack albums. It has appeared in thirteen games, with the most recent iteration arriving in 2025. Its maps span diverse settings, from the Pentagon and the Moon to a fantastical version of Stalingrad featuring fire-breathing dragons.

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