Unveiling the Secrets of Nacht der Untoten: Location and Lore
The burning question for any Call of Duty Zombies enthusiast: Where is Nacht der Untoten located? The short answer is complicated by the game’s lore, retcons, and evolving narrative. In its original incarnation, Nacht der Untoten is situated on Peleliu Island, Palau, specifically within a Japanese Air HQ building that was once part of the World at War Multiplayer Map, Airfield. However, the Zombies storyline is never that simple. The building has been relocated, reimagined, and even floated into space within the Call of Duty universe. Understanding its true location requires digging into the rich and twisting history of the undead narrative.
The Real-World Inspiration and In-Game Origins
The initial inspiration for Nacht der Untoten stems from historical documentation and imagery of World War II on Peleliu Island. The map is loosely based on a real-world Japanese Air HQ building that existed during the conflict. This connection grounds the terrifying zombie outbreak in a semblance of reality, adding to the map’s unsettling atmosphere.
In Call of Duty: World at War, the level emerges after completing the campaign, serving as a bonus survival mode where players face endless waves of zombies in a dilapidated, barricaded structure. It’s a far cry from the elaborate storylines and intricate maps that would later define the Zombies franchise, but it laid the groundwork for everything that followed.
Relocation and Reimagining
As the Zombies storyline evolved across different Call of Duty titles, the Nacht der Untoten building underwent some significant changes. In Call of Duty: Black Ops, the building is theoretically in the same physical location, although the exact location is never specified.
Its appearance then resurfaces in Black Ops II’s Green Run map, nestled within the cornfields, a curious nod to its legacy. More dramatically, in Black Ops III’s Revelations map, a fractured and floating version of Nacht der Untoten becomes a playable area, symbolizing the fractured and non-linear nature of the Aether storyline. This iteration of Nacht der Untoten is a stark departure from its original, grounded setting, representing a descent into the surreal and otherworldly.
In Black Ops Cold War, the original bunker ruins can be seen on the map Die Maschine. The lower level of Nacht der Untoten would be playable in a minigame in the Zombies map Forsaken.
The Significance of Nacht der Untoten
Nacht der Untoten is more than just a map; it’s a symbol of the Call of Duty Zombies experience. Its simplicity, brutal difficulty, and claustrophobic atmosphere define the early days of the mode. It represents a stripped-down, survival-horror experience where players rely on teamwork, quick reflexes, and strategic planning to survive.
The map’s lack of complex objectives and intricate storylines emphasizes the core gameplay loop: survive as long as possible against ever-increasing waves of undead. This pure, unadulterated survival experience resonates with many players and contributes to Nacht der Untoten’s enduring popularity.
It is so popular that it is now available in Fortnite using the code 6387-8839-9581.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about Nacht der Untoten, its location, and its significance in the Call of Duty Zombies universe:
1. Is Nacht der Untoten based on a real place?
Yes, Nacht der Untoten is inspired by a Japanese Air HQ building on Peleliu Island, Palau from World War II.
2. What Call of Duty game first featured Nacht der Untoten?
Nacht der Untoten first appeared in Call of Duty: World at War as a bonus map after completing the campaign.
3. Is Nacht der Untoten in Black Ops?
Yes, Nacht der Untoten is available in the Hardened and Prestige Editions of Call of Duty: Black Ops or can be obtained in the Rezurrection Content Pack.
4. Is Nacht der Untoten the smallest Zombies map?
Yes, Nacht der Untoten is known for being one of the smallest Zombies maps, consisting of only a few rooms.
5. Is Nacht der Untoten considered a difficult map?
Yes, Nacht der Untoten is generally considered a challenging map, especially for reaching high rounds due to its limited space and resources.
6. Does Nacht der Untoten have an Easter egg?
Yes, there’s a hidden Easter egg where you can activate a radio to play songs found throughout the Zombies storyline.
7. What does “Nacht der Untoten” mean in English?
“Nacht der Untoten” translates to “Night of the Undead” in English.
8. What’s the connection between Nacht der Untoten and Green Run?
In Black Ops 2’s Green Run map, the Nacht der Untoten building appears in the cornfields, serving as an Easter egg and a connection to the older map.
9. What is Kino der Toten based on?
Kino der Toten is based on the Lawndale Theatre. It provided entertainment to both Lawndale’s Jewish community and the African-American community that replaced it in the 1950s.
10. What Call of Duty has all the Zombies maps?
Complete maps from the original saga are fully remastered and HD playable, within Call of Duty®: Black Ops III.
11. What happened to the Marines in Nacht der Untoten?
The Marines crashed their plane near the building and were trying to survive the zombie onslaught. Only four survived the crash.
12. Is there a Wonder Weapon in Nacht der Untoten?
Yes, in the Black Ops version of Nacht Der Untoten there is only one Wonder Weapon which is the Thundergun.
13. What is the code for Nacht der Untoten in Fortnite?
COD ZOMBIES – NACHT DER UNTOTEN (EXODUS) 6387-8839-9581 by demonic_rick – Fortnite.
14. Who is Nacht from Black Clover?
Nacht Faust is the vice-captain of the Black Bull squad of the Clover Kingdom’s Magic Knights.
15. Why does Nacht hate the black bulls?
Unlike Yami and Asta who treat the members of the Black Bulls as family, Nacht has actively stated that he despises the Black Bulls because of their reckless and destructive nature, in addition to their various quirks that cause more trouble for others, despite all the good deeds done.
The Enduring Legacy
The story and location of Nacht der Untoten is a testament to the enduring power of simple, engaging gameplay and the ability of developers to build upon a foundation of mystery and lore. From its humble beginnings on Peleliu Island to its reimagining in later Call of Duty titles, Nacht der Untoten continues to captivate players with its challenging gameplay and unsettling atmosphere. The map serves as a reminder of the origins of the Zombies mode and a symbol of the enduring appeal of surviving the undead horde.
To further explore the educational aspects of gaming, consider visiting the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, where you can discover research and insights into how games can be used for learning and development. This is particularly relevant in how zombies provide a rich learning environment. The Games Learning Society researches the impact of gaming on youth and education.