The phenomenon of modern pop culture: the formation of Call of Duty

Call of Duty is a globally renowned and beloved video game franchise. Let's explore its history, game by game, in chronological order.

Table of Contents

• Call of Duty
• Call of Duty 2
• Call of Duty 3
• Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
• Call of Duty: World at War
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
• Call of Duty: Black Ops
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
• Call of Duty: Black Ops II
• Call of Duty: Ghosts
• Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
• Call of Duty: Black Ops III
• Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered
• Call of Duty: WWII
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
• Call of Duty: Warzone
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered
• Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
• Call of Duty: Vanguard
• Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II
• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

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Call of Duty

Release Date: October 29, 2003 Developer: Infinity Ward

The original Call of Duty, released in 2003, features both single-player and multiplayer modes set during World War II. The single-player campaign unfolds across four distinct perspectives: American, British, Soviet, and Allied, each offering a series of historically-inspired missions. These 26 missions vary widely, from training exercises and night battles to naval sabotage and large-scale urban combat. Multiplayer focused on objective-based gameplay, such as capturing and holding points or flags.

Call of Duty 2

Release Date: October 25, 2005 Developer: Infinity Ward Download: Steam

Maintaining the World War II setting, Call of Duty 2 built upon its predecessor. Key changes included automatic health regeneration when in cover and the removal of the health bar. The game retained the multiple campaign structure, offering American, British, and Soviet perspectives, each with diverse missions based on real historical events. Multiplayer remained largely unchanged from the first game, concluding with a documentary reflecting on the war's hardships.

Call of Duty 3

Release Date: November 7, 2006 Developer: Infinity Ward Download: Xbox

Call of Duty 3, an Xbox exclusive, marked a shift. While still set in World War II, it featured a unified storyline instead of separate campaigns and introduced new actions like rowing a boat. Split-screen multiplayer was added, allowing for simultaneous gameplay. Technically, the game boasted improved graphics, animation, and lighting. This installment notably introduced civilians to the game world, though not as combatants, and notably omitted handguns from the campaign.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Release Date: November 5, 2007 Developer: Infinity Ward Download: Steam

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare marked a significant departure, shifting the setting to a modern-day conflict. The 2011 setting saw players preventing a global nuclear catastrophe through American and British campaigns. New features included an Arcade Mode and cheat codes altering gameplay significantly. Multiplayer introduced classes, a defining feature of future installments.

Call of Duty: World at War

Release Date: November 11, 2008 Developer: Infinity Ward Download: Steam

Returning to World War II, Call of Duty: World at War featured American and Soviet campaigns. While graphically improved and with refined AI, the core gameplay remained similar to its predecessors. However, it introduced a zombie horde mode, playable solo or cooperatively, and incorporated features like enemy dismemberment and the flamethrower.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Release Date: November 10, 2009 Developer: Infinity Ward Download: Steam

A direct sequel to Call of Duty 4, Modern Warfare 2 continued the modern warfare narrative, set in 2016. New single-player mechanics included climbing and underwater movement. Multiplayer saw additions like dual-wielding pistols, new game modes, a refined perk system, and the ability to call in artillery and airstrikes.

Call of Duty: Black Ops

Release Date: November 9, 2010 Developer: Treyarch Download: Steam

Call of Duty: Black Ops, a continuation of the World at War storyline, shifted the setting to the Cold War era. The single-player campaign saw players undertaking missions as a CIA operative. New features included in-game currency, character and weapon skins, contracts, and a wagering mode. Multiplayer retained the class system and zombie mode.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Release Date: November 8, 2011 Developer: Infinity Ward Download: Steam

Modern Warfare 3 directly followed Modern Warfare 2, continuing the story and characters. The game focused on refinement, improving existing mechanics and enhancing visuals and audio.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II

Release Date: November 13, 2012 Developer: Treyarch Download: Steam

Black Ops II featured a unique campaign spanning two time periods: 1980s and 2020s. New features included branching storylines, multiple endings, pre-battle equipment selection, and improved AI.

Call of Duty: Ghosts

Release Date: November 5, 2013 Developer: Infinity Ward Download: Steam

Ghosts introduced a new protagonist and storyline, featuring both Earth-based and space-based combat, including a mode against alien antagonists. Character customization, destructible environments, and a revised perk system were also introduced.

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

Release Date: November 4, 2014 Developer: Sledgehammer Games Download: Steam

Advanced Warfare ventured into a futuristic setting, incorporating advanced technology like exoskeletons, drones, and other gadgets. Vertical gameplay was emphasized.

Call of Duty: Black Ops III

Release Date: November 6, 2015 Developer: Treyarch Download: Steam

Black Ops III continued the Black Ops series, featuring cybernetic enhancements for soldiers. New features included jetpacks, specialist characters, wall-running, and underwater combat.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare

Release Date: November 4, 2016 Developer: Infinity Ward Download: Steam

Infinite Warfare offered a space-based setting, focusing on resource acquisition on Mars. Multiplayer introduced customizable exoskeletons.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered

Release Date: November 4, 2016 Developer: Raven Software Download: Steam

A remaster of the original Modern Warfare, focusing on updated visuals and audio.

Call of Duty: WWII

Release Date: November 3, 2017 Developer: Sledgehammer Games Download: Steam

A return to the World War II setting, featuring a campaign focusing on heroic actions and improved AI.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4

Release Date: October 12, 2018 Developer: Treyarch Download: Steam

Black Ops 4 omitted a traditional campaign, instead featuring standalone Specialist missions. Multiplayer included increased player health, a fog-of-war system, and a battle royale mode.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)

Release Date: October 25, 2019 Developer: Infinity Ward Download: Steam

A reboot of the Modern Warfare series, focusing on contemporary conflicts and controversial themes. New features included increased weapon recoil, bipods, and a revised Killstreaks system.

Call of Duty: Warzone

Release Date: March 10, 2020 Developer: Infinity Ward Download: Steam

A standalone battle royale game featuring classic battle royale, Rebirth, and Plunder modes.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered

Release Date: March 31, 2020 Developer: Infinity Ward Download: callofduty.com

A remaster of Modern Warfare 2, with updated visuals and audio.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

Release Date: November 13, 2020 Developer: Treyarch Download: Steam

Set during the Cold War, focusing on the early 1980s. The zombie mode received significant updates.

Call of Duty: Vanguard

Release Date: November 5, 2021 Developer: Sledgehammer Games Download: Steam

A return to World War II, with a focus on multiple character perspectives.

Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0

Release Date: November 16, 2022 Developer: Infinity Ward Download: Steam

An updated version of Warzone, integrated with Modern Warfare II, featuring new features like ammo sharing and an updated Gulag.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)

Release Date: October 28, 2022 Developer: Infinity Ward Download: Steam

A direct sequel to the 2019 Modern Warfare, focusing on the fight against terrorism.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

Release Date: November 2, 2023 Developer: Sledgehammer Games Download: Steam

The third installment in the rebooted Modern Warfare series, combining elements from its predecessors.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Release Date: October 25, 2024 Developer: Treyarch and Raven Software Download: Steam

A continuation of Black Ops Cold War, set in the 1990s during the Persian Gulf conflict, introducing new movement mechanics.

The Call of Duty franchise, spanning 25 games, consistently balances difficulty, realism, and player interaction. Its enduring appeal lies in its iterative improvements and the addition of fresh features in each installment, captivating players across generations.