Origins

"Every story has a beginning...and an end."

- "Origins" trailer

"Unleashed after the Germans unearthed the mysterious Element 115, this next chapter in the Zombies legacy will explore the saga’s origins as players reunite with an unlikely band of soldiers that come together to defeat the greatest evil the world has ever seen, using a period-specific arsenal that includes Wonder Weapons that harness supernatural powers, a diesel-drone and Mark IV tank, as well a new perk machine and power-ups – and that’s just the start. Players will need all the help they can get to succeed in defeating the undead, as well as evading an unprecedented 1,000-foot tall robot abomination."

- Origins release article

"Witness the origins of Group 935, as an ancient evil is unleashed upon the battlefields of World War I."

- Map description

Origins, also known as Excavation Site 64 and Dig Site, is a Zombies map included in the Apocalypse downloadable content for Call of Duty: Black Ops II. It is the seventeenth (chronologically the first) Zombies level.

Overview
The "original characters" (younger versions of Dempsey, Nikolai, Richtofen, and Takeo) return as the four playable characters. The zombies have yellow eyes in this map. The map features Wonder Weapons that harness supernatural powers, a Panzer Soldat, Mark IV Tank, as well a new Perk-a-Cola machine and Power-Ups. Revealed in the cinematic intro of Origins, zombies in typical crusader attire appear, but only spawn in certain areas (the four entrances to The Crazy Place and the main Excavation Site in the center of the map). Unlike typical zombies, the crusader zombies have purple eyes, possibly because they may be the original zombies not controlled by any Demonic Announcer and are exclusively affected by the Element 115.

Six generators are found across the map, which act as replacements for the classic Power Switch, and only power the area around it. If they are all powered at once, they activate the reskinned Pack-a-Punch Machine. For the first time, the Mystery Box requires power to be used. The Generators also power perk machines, although there are only 4 conventional perk machines and there are no machines at Generators 2 and 6. There are no new perks, but rather a machine called Der Wunderfizz, that gives the player a random perk bottle when activated, much like the box.

The 3 Giant Robots: Freya, Odin and Thor (from left to right, facing towards Generator 5 from Generator 4) travel across the map in their respective "lanes" and will instantly down players when they step on them, so it is wise to be aware of a player's surroundings and avoid the giant footprints when a Giant is approaching.

There are two new power-ups: Zombie Blood, which masks the player with zombie blood, in which they see reddish-orange, get an increased FOV, and Zombies and Panzer Soldats don't attack them, and Blood Money, which is obtained using the Shovel on graves. Blood Money is similar to Bonus Points, it gives the player a random amount of points when obtained.

Buildables also return, featuring four Elemental Staffs (Staff of Lightning, Staff of Fire, Staff of Ice, and the Staff of Air), the Zombie Shield with a new dieselpunk aesthetic and the Maxis Drone, which is similar to the MQ-27 Dragonfire, only using Dr. Maxis's brain. The Maxis Drone, after deployed, will follow the player, shooting at Zombies and reviving downed players.

Players can also use Shovels at certain spots to dig up certain items. These may hold beneficial items, like a weapon or a Power-Up, or they may spawn something hazardous, like a Zombie or a live grenade.

The release trailer features one of three Giant Robots and either German/Allied airships. One of the airships provide a part necessary to build one of the four elemental staffs.

The Demonic Announcer for this map is Samantha Maxis as a young girl.

Features

 * Two new enemies, Giant Robot and a Panzer Soldat.
 * A new Utility Vehicle named the Mark IV Tank.
 * Five new buildables: the Maxis Drone and four new elemental staffs.
 * A new "Major" Easter Egg, called  Little Lost Girl.
 * Challenges are now in Zombies, though currently only four exist.
 * A new way of obtaining Perks, Der Wunderfizz.
 * Two new Power-Ups, Zombie Blood and Blood Money.
 * A Shovel that can be used to dig up Weapons, staff parts, Power-Ups and live grenades.
 * A Golden Helmet that allows you to survive being stepped on by the Giant Robots.
 * The G-Strike, which acts like a more powerful Monkey Bomb.

Opening Scene Transcript
The words Northern France, 1918 appear on the screen before shifting to scenes of various locations across a snowswept battlefield as Samantha narrates.

Voice: It began long ago, on the battlefields of .

A map of France appears on screen as two pictures of Dr. Ludvig Maxis and Edward Richtofen shortly overlay.

Voice: Two German scientists sought to harness dark and mysterious forces. Buried for centuries. They believed their discoveries would assure Germany's ultimate victory. But they could never have imagined just what else their research would unearth.

''Scenes of German excavations are shown, as well as a meteorite of a strange element. In one chamber, three German soldiers wearing gas masks break through a wall. Through the hole, an unseen assailant emerges and surprises them. The figure is revealed to be a Zombie clad in old Crusader regalia. The zombies overwhelm the garrison of German soldiers before emerging from the ruins and onto the battlefield and killing all remaining German forces.''

Voice: As an ancient evil ravaged the front lines, the hopes of the Allies rested on three soldiers set to stop it.

''The scene then changes to a crawling zombie being crushed under a tank. Atop the vehicle is Tank Dempsey, kicking a zombie off before jumping off himself and engaging the zombies with an MG 08, soon switching to a knife and a Remington New Model Army revolver.''

''Elsewhere, Nikolai Belinski is seen engaging zombies with a Hatchet and a Mauser pistol. He breaks a zombie in half with the Hatchet before throwing it at another and taking it out with an Olympia.''

''Closeby, Takeo Masaki is also cutting through zombies with a Katana and a Mauser. He makes his way into a room where he encounters Dempsey and Nikolai.''

''The three draw their guns on each other, before they all point them towards another figure in the room. Dr. Edward Richtofen is seen with a bonesaw cutting a dead Ludvig Maxis's head open. He briefly examines his bloody hands, seemingly confused, before the four notice more zombies approaching them through a hole in the wall.''

''Dempsey, Nikolai and Takeo aim their guns at the zombies. However, a bright orange light surrounds them as all four look up to see a Giant Robot looking down upon them. It raises its foot as the four dive out of the way, before the Robot stomps down upon the ground, the scene going black. The voice, now revealed to be that of Samantha closes the introduction.''

Samantha: My name is Samantha. I'm going to tell you how all this really began.

Ending Scene Transcript
A white background appears as Samantha narrates

Samantha: As the gates to Agartha opened, the four heroes were rewarded with riches beyond imagination.

The background then shifts to a close-up view of Samantha's face.

Samantha: From that day forward, they knew that Samantha would keep them safe... forever.

''Holding what seems to be an action figure, Samantha turns the figure slowly over to the floor, showing two zombie action figures resembling those from Mob of the Dead and Buried. Samantha knocks it over with her unseen figure, then knocks another cowboy zombie figure down. The view then shifts to Eddie, who is sitting next to Samantha while holding a figure of Edward Richtofen. The room they are in is covered with several posters. There is a chalk outline on the wall resembling the MP40. Next to Eddie, an empty bottle of Juggernog can be seen, as well as a figure of the Panzer Soldat.''

Eddie: You're getting everything wrong. I told you before, their eyes should be blue!

Samantha picks up the Nikolai Belinski figure.

Samantha: It's my turn, Eddie. I can do whatever I want.

Eddie: But... You don't even know how to play properly! Girls don't know enough about zombies.

''Suddenly, an air raid siren can be heard. Ludvig Maxis' voice is then heard from comms.''

Maxis (on comms): Put the toys away, children. Make sure the windows are locked before you come down to the basement.

Eddie: We'd better be doing what your dad says.

''Samantha puts down the figure and goes to close the window. Near the window, a gramophone and a teddy bear can be seen. Samantha's dog, Fluffy, then walks over to Samantha''.

Eddie: I didn't even get my turn...

Samantha: Tomorrow, Eddie. You get to make the rules. I promise. (turns over to Fluffy) Come on, Fluffy!

''Fluffy runs over to the door, knocking over the unseen action figure in the process. Eddie and Samantha heads toward the door. Under the bed, figures of Marlton Johnson, Russman and Samuel J. Stuhlinger can be seen. Next to the door, there is also a box with a large "?" mark on it.''

Eddie: I wish the heroes in our stories were real, Sam.

Samantha: I know what you mean. But we will make everything okay...

''Eddie and Samantha leave the room. As Samantha closes the door, the screen fades to black.''

Samantha:... My dad says he has a plan.

Achievements/Trophies

 * Little Lost Girl (75 Gamerscore.png/Silver Trophy Silver Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Origins, release Samantha.
 * Not a Gold Digger (5 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Origins, share a weapon you dug up.
 * All Your Base (15 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Origins, activate all generators without allowing one to stop.
 * Kung Fu Grip (15 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Origins, free yourself and another from the Panzer Soldat's claw in one game.
 * Playing with Power (30 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Origins, build all elemental staffs in one game.
 * I'm on a Tank! (10 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Origins, ride the tank around the map without getting off.
 * Saving the Day... All Day (20 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Origins, revive another player four different ways in one game.
 * Master of Disguise (15 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Origins, use Zombie Blood to revive three players and activate a generator in one game.
 * Overachiever (25 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Origins, complete all 4 Challenges in one game.
 * Master Wizard (40 Gamerscore.png/Bronze Trophy Bronze Trophy PS3 icon.png) - In Origins, wield all of the ultimate staffs in one game.

Easter Eggs

 * Samantha is trapped and needs to be freed.

Song

 * A new song, Archangel (sung by Elena Siegman, Malukah & Clark S. Nova), can be activated by pressing the action button in front of three green stone blocks scattered around the map.
 * Another song, Shepherd of Fire (by Avenged Sevenfold), can be activated by pressing the action button in front of three red radios scattered around the map.

Getting All 9 Perks

 * It is possible to get all 9 perks in Origins by using the Zombie Blood Drop and a Golden Shovel and searching for the Red Dig Sites.

Morse code
After upgraded your Elemental Staffs and placed the Fire Staff in the fifth pedestal in the Staffs Room, the color panels above the room turned white, red and rarely green. Theses panels blink in a loop constitued by a morse code. SOMETHING BLUE IN THE EARTH NOT SAFE WE GREW WEAK THOUGHT IT WAS FLU MEN BECAME BEASTS BLOOD TURNED TO ASH LIBERATE TUTE DE INFERNIS
 * The red lights indicate the word "INFERNO"
 * The white lights give us a cipher :
 * ENWR DRGAVSIJ ABRIKUWVT GPLR WV GMI VNFBU VBY CGNM ER LVVJ KMNP BUTYXUH QG BEJ SZC URS FVPOUR GIRFHA JYTSU GIZAJH KB OAU TVGIINHM GZXV QS QAKIIAWA
 * After it's decoded, it becomes : WARN MESSINES
 * The last line, "LIBERATE TUTE DE INFERNIS", is Latin and translates to "free yourself from hell".
 * The green lights give the name of Giovan Battista Bellaso, an Italian cryptologist who described the first form of the Vigenère cipher.

Trivia

 * This is the third time in Zombies that a new starting weapon (the Mauser C96) is featured (the first being Dead Ops Arcade with the M60, and the second being the Black Ops DS maps with the Makarov PM).
 * This is the third map where it is possible to obtain the starting weapon (without dying), the first being Shi No Numa and the second being Mob of the Dead.
 * The Remington New Model Army appears in the cutscene, but it does not appear in-game.
 * This is the first time the original group has made a physical appearance in Call of Duty: Black Ops II.
 * This is also the first time the original group is featured in an animated cutscene.
 * Origins marks the first time World War I has been featured in the Call of Duty series.
 * This also makes the level the earliest-set feature in Call of Duty, with the previous earliest-set feature taking place in the 1930s.
 * This is the first time Dempsey, Nikolai, and Takeo are playable in Black Ops II, and also the first time Takeo is seen or referenced directly at all in Black Ops II.
 * Avenged Sevenfold's song "Shepherd of Fire" (from their album) is featured in the opening cutscene, as well as an easter egg song in-game.
 * The intro cutscene of Origins uploaded on Treyarch's YouTube channel was taken down and re-uploaded moments later to correct Nikolai Belinski's name being misspelled "Nikolai Belinksi".
 * An official poster of Origins was released, created by.
 * A new version of the opening cinematic for Origins was released on 22nd August, on COD TV in the zombies section, with a younger Samantha as the voiceover with some extra dialogue.
 * This is the third zombies map to feature more than two ways of being able to revive other players (previous maps had standard revives and instant revives from the Pack-a-Punched Ballistic Knife).
 * This is the first time Ludvig Maxis is seen.
 * This is the second Black Ops II map to feature PhD Flopper as a Perk-a-Cola, the other one being Cell Block.
 * This map has 22 weapons in the Mystery Box.
 * When activated a generator while Double Points is active, the player who activated the generator only gets refunded half the points.
 * This map has the most Perk-a-Colas, with a total of nine.
 * This is the first time that the Pack-a-Punch Machine has a completely different skin.
 * This is the second time the Mystery Box had a different skin.
 * This is the second map to have its own independent soundtrack, the first being Mob of the Dead.
 * This is the first map since Call of the Dead to feature the MP40 and the first since Der Riese to feature the STG-44.
 * This is the first map to have the Five Seven on the wall.
 * This is the first map since Der Riese in World at War to have weapons in the Mystery Box and on the wall at the same time.
 * The Medieval Zombie on the poster is wearing the Cross of the Knights Templar.
 * Similar to Der Riese, the player can go prone in front of a Perk-a-Cola machine and get 25 points.
 * This is the third map to have wall weapons available at multiple locations, first being Verrückt and second being Mob of the Dead.
 * This is the first time that prices (including doors, debris, weapons, and generators) depend on the number of players in game. This does not include perks.
 * None of the Perk-a-Colas play their jingles. The devices attached to their sides will simply whistle.
 * This map has the most wonder weapons in a single map, with a total of eight.
 * This is the second map where the game can be ended without dying.
 * The zombies in Origins are similar to the ones in Mob of the Dead, as they are much more gruesome and hellish compared to their counterparts in other maps.
 * There is also a large prescence of corpses killed in various cruel ways (such as impaling), another trait similar to the bloody meathooks, corpses, and barbed wire encountered in Mob of the Dead
 * When digging a grenade, the "ping" sound from the M1 Garand's dry reload in Call of Duty: World at War can be heard.
 * In the Hall of the Ancients (bottom of the Excavation Site), the statues have Richtofen, Takeo, Dempsey and Nikolai's faces on them.
 * The round starting music is very similar to Mob of the Dead's round starting music.