Call of Duty Zombies fans have been given a glimmer of hope straight from one of the mode’s most iconic voices. Veteran voice actor Nolan North, the man behind the unhinged German scientist Dr. Edward Richtofen, has confirmed he would love to step back into the role – though he cautions that a return probably isn’t right around the corner.
SpEaking at Gamergy in Puerto Rico (via DomTheBomb), North addressed his future within the Call of Duty franchise and made it clear that Richtofen still holds a special place in his heart.
Nolan North Wants Richtofen Back in Call of Duty
North, whose career spans legendary roles like Nathan Drake in Uncharted and Desmond Miles in Assassin’s Creed, said he hopes to reprise his role as Dr. Edward Richtofen, the fan-favorite character at the center of Black Ops’ beloved Zombies storyline. His portrayal of the eccentric, morally ambiguous scientist became a defining element of the mode across multiple Treyarch-developed titles.
However, North tempered expectations with an interesting piece of speculation: he believes the 2027 Call of Duty game could be developed by Sledgehammer Games rather than Treyarch. If that rotation proves accurate, a new Black Ops title – and by extension a potential Richtofen comeback – likely wouldn’t arrive until 2028 at the very earliest.
Why Richtofen Matters to Zombies Fans
For the uninitiated, Dr. Edward Richtofen is arguably the most recognizable figure in Call of Duty Zombies history. Alongside Dempsey, Nikolai, and Takeo, Richtofen anchored the original storyline that turned a bonus co-op mode into a cultural phenomenon with a shockingly deep, time-bending narrative. Any hint of his return is enough to set the Zombies community buzzing.
The Call of Duty Developer Rotation Explained
Activision traditionally rotates development duties among its three lead studios: Infinity Ward, Treyarch, and Sledgehammer Games. Treyarch, the studio behind the Black Ops sub-series and the Zombies mode as a whole, delivered Black Ops 6 in 2024. If Sledgehammer – the team behind titles like Vanguard and Modern Warfare 3 – handles the 2027 release as North suggests, Treyarch’s next mainline entry would slip further down the calendar.
It’s worth emphasizing that North’s comments are conjecture rather than an official announcement. Release schedules can shift, and Activision has not confirmed which studio is leading development on future titles. Still, hearing speculation from an industry veteran with deep Treyarch ties carries more weight than the average rumor.
What This Means for the Zombies Storyline
Recent Zombies entries have explored the Dark Aether storyline, and Treyarch has shown willingness to weave legacy characters back into the narrative. A full Richtofen return in a future Black Ops game would be a major moment for longtime fans – it may simply be a question of patience while the development cycle plays out.
Where to Play While You Wait
If all this Zombies talk has you itching to jump back in, Black Ops 6 and its Zombies maps are available now. You can grab Call of Duty points, game codes, and gift cards at discounted prices at TURGAME.com, your go-to store for digital game keys and top-ups worldwide.
Whether 2027 belongs to Sledgehammer or not, one thing is certain: Nolan North hasn’t closed the book on Richtofen – and neither have the fans.
Source: GameSpot