September 18, 2025
Black Ops 7 Zombies Introduces a New Villain Fans Are Comparing to Fallout’s Ghoul Treyarch’s latest undead antagonist might look familiar, but he could be exactly what Call of Duty Zombies needs
Treyarch has begun rolling out teasers for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Zombies, starting with the cinematic intro for its first map, Ashes of the Damned. While fans are still waiting for a full breakdown of gameplay and mechanics, the spotlight has quickly shifted to the mysterious new villain — a soul-stealing figure with a caged skull that seems ripped straight out of another franchise.
🎭 A Villain Shrouded in Mystery
The cutscene shows this dark character capturing the souls of both the Terminus crew and fresh versions of the original four Zombies icons. Though his name hasn’t been revealed, some players believe he could be the Shadowsmith mentioned in Black Ops 6 lore — or even Jebediah Brown, the original creator of the Pack-a-Punch machine.
The character might also serve as the new demonic announcer for Zombies, following in the footsteps of the Forsaken and AI Samantha Maxis.
🤠 Why Fans Think He’s Fallout’s Ghoul
Across social media, players can’t help but point out the uncanny similarities between this villain and Walton Goggins’ Ghoul from Amazon’s Fallout series:
- A southern drawl in his voice that strongly echoes The Ghoul.
- A cowboy hat and ragged attire that match Fallout’s anti-hero aesthetic.
- A creepy, confident charisma that’s both unsettling and entertaining.
- A scarred face, less extreme than radiation damage, but still comparable.
The resemblance is strong enough that some fans are already joking about this being “Fallout at home.”
🧩 More Than Just a Lookalike
While the parallels are undeniable, there are key differences. The Ghoul from Fallout often plays the reluctant anti-hero, while Black Ops 7’s newcomer radiates pure malice. Even if he borrows visual inspiration, his role as a straight-up villain could set him apart — and make him an ideal antagonist for the Zombies story.
🔥 Why This Could Save BO7 Zombies
Call of Duty Zombies has had a mixed track record with villains. Iconic threats like Richtofen and Samantha Maxis set a high bar, but others, like Dr. Monty, the Forsaken, or Kortifex, never fully landed with fans.
That’s why this new character feels like a breath of fresh air. He’s powerful, intimidating, and — most importantly — cool. Paired with the return of the original crew, this balance of nostalgia and novelty could finally give Zombies the compelling enemy it’s been missing.
📌 Final Thoughts
Yes, the new villain in Black Ops 7 Zombies looks like he stepped out of Fallout — but that might not be a bad thing. Borrowed or not, his sinister energy and memorable presence could help make Ashes of the Damned one of the most exciting openings for a Zombies storyline in years.
For the first time in the Dark Aether saga, Treyarch seems to have found a villain players can genuinely get hyped about — and that’s worth celebrating.