Infinity Ward wanted to achieve a realistic tone with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, and so the studio ultimately made the decision to release it without a Zombies mode. But just because a Zombies mode didn’t make it into the final version of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, that doesn’t mean it wasn’t at least considered at one point. In fact, Infinity Ward artist Aaron Beck has released some concept art of what the game’s Zombies mode would have potentially looked like.

Taking to Instagram, Beck showed off some unused art that he made for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, created early in the game’s production. Beck’s vision for the Modern Warfare Zombies mode would have featured quadruped robots leading zombies around with leashes. The art also includes a Russian soldier, who is utilizing these robots and their zombie prisoners in some way. How exactly this would have translated to actual gameplay is unclear, as the Modern Warfare Zombies mode evidently didn’t make it beyond the concept art phase.

Meanwhile, it’s possible Zombies could still come to Modern Warfare in some capacity. Rumors have been swirling that Warzone is adding Zombies, with some easter eggs found in-game even hinting as much. That remains to be seen, but if other rumors about Warzone turn out to be true, then the possibility of Zombies coming to the battle royale seems even more likely.

One of the biggest rumors about Warzone is that Activision plans on using the mega-popular battle royale to reveal Call of Duty 2020. Call of Duty 2020 is being developed by Treyarch and is believed to be a Black Ops reboot, so Zombies is expected to return. Warzone is supposed to be a “constant” for the Call of Duty franchise moving forward, so it would make sense for it to incorporate things from the new games as they’re released, which could potentially mean Zombies or a limited-time mode with zombies, at least.

It’s possible that if zombies come to Warzone, it won’t be on the Verdansk battle royale map. It’s also been said by some reliable leakers that Warzone is getting a new map when Call of Duty 2020 launches, so maybe it will host zombies in the BR. Whatever the case may be, fans should find out more information about Call of Duty’s future in the coming weeks.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is out now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

Source: Aaron Beck - Instagram (via CharlieIntel)