The Call of Duty Zombies storyline is known for its mind-bending twists, intricate lore, and alternate realities. One of the most intriguing "what if" scenarios revolves around the development of Origins, a map that almost took a drastically different path. Thanks to recently leaked development documents, we can explore the pre-alpha version of Origins, codenamed "Tomb," and imagine what could have been.

Recommendation: Terminator Event in Black Ops 6: Unlock Exclusive Rewards and Blueprints

The most significant difference between Tomb and the final version of Origins was the characters. In Tomb, players were meant to control the fathers of the Ultimis crew: Angus Dempsey, Vladimir Belinski, Suburu Masaki, and Heinrich Richtofen. This generational approach would have offered a unique perspective on the story, with the legends of Ultimis being told through the eyes of their parents.

Imagine playing as the hardened Scottish MI5 agent Angus Dempsey, father of Tank, as he investigates a mysterious excavation site in war-torn France. Or stepping into the shoes of Vladimir Belinski, father of Nikolai, a Russian operative tasked with securing a powerful substance before the Germans can exploit it. The possibilities were endless.

The plot of Tomb centered around the discovery of Element 115 near the village of Latco. German scientists Heinrich Richtofen and Wilhelm Maxis had unearthed an ancient crypt, an Element 115 mine created by an advanced alien race. Their experiments triggered a catastrophic event, turning soldiers into zombies. The fathers of the Ultimis crew were sent to investigate and contain the outbreak.

Another key element of the Tomb story was the inclusion of Pablo Marinus, a 10th-century Spanish Crusader. His journal detailed encounters with the undead ("dead eaters") and alien beings ("Sky people") who used Element 115 to create zombie slaves. The Crusaders formed a secret society to protect the tomb from those who would misuse its power.

Recommendation: All The Tomb Easter Eggs in Black Ops 6 Zombies

The leaked documents also suggest that Tomb would have featured the origins of Wonder Weapons, elemental staffs, and massive war machines. These technologies would have been tied to the ancient alien civilization and the German experiments.

The decision to abandon the "fathers" concept and focus on the younger versions of the Ultimis crew was a significant turning point in the development of Origins. While the original idea had its appeal, focusing on the established characters allowed for a more immediate connection with players. It also provided an opportunity to explore their origins and the events that shaped them.

But what if Treyarch had stuck with the original plan? How would the Zombies storyline have evolved? Would we have seen the Ultimis crew as children, listening to their fathers recount their heroic tales? Would the focus have shifted to the secret society formed by the Crusaders?