The mod works by injecting a script into the zombie level. The script detects when a player interacts with the Mystery Box for the first time and overrides the random number generation (RNG) to force a specific, powerful weapon ID.
The implementation of this patch forced a paradigm shift in how high-skill players approached the start of a zombie match.
4.1. Strategy Shift: The "Two-Box" Meta Prior to the patch, high-round strategies often revolved around "resetting" the game if the first box did not yield a Ray Gun, allowing players to start their "train" (grouping zombies) immediately with maximum firepower. Post-patch, players were forced to adapt to the "Two-Box" meta. Players now had to conserve enough points to open the box a second time (costing 950 points x 2 = 1900 points, plus door costs) to have a chance at the Ray Gun.
4.2. Map Specific Impacts
In the current state of Black Ops II (on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Xbox One/Series backwards compatibility, and PC via Steam), the "First Box Patch" remains active. It is considered standard game mechanics.
Furthermore, this mechanic set a precedent for future titles.
You can usually find the specific GSC code on modding forums (like Se7enSins, NextGenUpdate, or GitHub repositories dedicated to BO2 Zombies scripts). Look for keywords like First Box GSC or Wonder Weapon GSC.
