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, tracing each game's release 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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Image: youtube.com

Call of Duty

Release Date: October 29, 2003
Developer: Infinity Ward

The original Call of Duty, released in 2003, offered both single-player and multiplayer experiences set during World War II. The single-player campaign featured four distinct perspectives: American, British, Soviet, and Allied, each showcasing different historical battles and weaponry. The multiplayer mode focused on objective-based gameplay, such as capturing and holding points or flags.

Call of Duty 2

Image: youtube.com

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

Remaining in the World War II setting, Call of Duty 2 built upon its predecessor. Key improvements included automatic health regeneration when in cover and the removal of the health bar. The game retained multiple campaigns, each with varied missions based on real historical events. Multiplayer largely mirrored the first game's format. A post-game documentary provided historical context.

Call of Duty 3

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

An Xbox exclusive, Call of Duty 3 offered a unified storyline, departing from the separate campaigns of its predecessors. New gameplay mechanics, like rowing a boat, were introduced. Split-screen multiplayer allowed for local co-op. Technical improvements were significant, enhancing graphics and animations. Civilians were included (non-playable), and handguns were absent from the campaign.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Image: blog.activision.com

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

Shifting away from World War II, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare introduced a modern setting and alternate history. Set in 2011, the game tasked players with preventing a nuclear catastrophe. The single-player campaign featured American and British perspectives. New additions included Arcade Mode, cheat codes, and a class-based multiplayer system.

Call of Duty: World at War

Image: polygon.com

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

A return to World War II, Call of Duty: World at War featured American and Soviet campaigns. While refining graphics and AI, the core gameplay remained similar to previous WWII titles. A notable addition was the Nazi Zombies mode, playable solo or cooperatively. Innovations included enemy dismemberment, the flamethrower, and enhanced character customization.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

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

A sequel to Call of Duty 4, Modern Warfare 2 continued the modern setting, taking place in 2016. New gameplay elements like climbing and underwater sequences were introduced, though not consistently throughout the campaign. Multiplayer enhancements included dual-wielding pistols, new game modes, a refined perk system, and killstreak rewards.

Call of Duty: Black Ops

Image: youtube.com

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

Call of Duty: Black Ops, though part of the World at War sub-series, moved the setting to the Cold War era. Players assumed the role of a CIA agent, undertaking missions to avert a global crisis. While the single-player campaign didn't drastically change, the multiplayer introduced in-game currency, character/weapon skins, contracts, and a wagering system. Zombies mode was also included.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Image: moddb.com

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

A direct sequel to Modern Warfare 2, Modern Warfare 3 focused on refining existing mechanics and enhancing graphics and sound. This iterative approach proved successful, setting a record for the most successful entertainment launch at the time.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II

Image: youtube.com

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

Black Ops II experimented with a dual-timeline campaign, set in both 1980s and 2020s. Changes included player choices impacting the storyline, multiple endings, pre-battle equipment selection, and improved AI.

Call of Duty: Ghosts

Image: youtube.com

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

Call of Duty: Ghosts introduced a new protagonist and storyline, featuring battles on Earth and in space, even including an alien combat mode. Character customization, destructible environments, and a revised perk system were also implemented.

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

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

Set in a technologically advanced future controlled by private military corporations, Advanced Warfare incorporated exoskeletons, drones, and other futuristic weaponry. Vertical gameplay was added.

Call of Duty: Black Ops III

Image: youtube.com

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

Black Ops III, set forty years after Black Ops II, featured cybernetic enhancements for soldiers, allowing for wall-running and underwater combat. Nine specialists expanded the class system.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare

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

Infinite Warfare was a standalone title with a space-faring setting on Mars. Multiplayer introduced customizable exoskeletons.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered

Image: store.steampowered.com

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

A remaster of the original Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, this version focused on visual and audio improvements while largely preserving the original gameplay.

Call of Duty: WWII

Image: store.steampowered.com

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

A return to the World War II setting, WWII included "heroic actions," medkits, and the ability to request allied support. Multiplayer featured new modes, larger lobbies, and specialized classes.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4

Image: youtube.com

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

Black Ops 4 omitted a traditional campaign, instead offering standalone Specialist missions. Multiplayer featured increased health, a fog-of-war system, and a 100-player battle royale mode.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

Image: store.steampowered.com

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

A reboot of the Modern Warfare series, this installment addressed contemporary issues such as terrorism, resulting in mature content. Gameplay changes included increased weapon recoil, bipods, and a revamped Killstreaks system.

Call of Duty: Warzone

Image: youtube.com

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

Warzone was a standalone battle royale game with classic battle royale, Rebirth (respawns), and Plunder (money collection) modes. New mechanics included a downed state and the Gulag 1v1 arena.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered

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

A remaster of Modern Warfare 2, featuring improved visuals, audio, and animations.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

Image: store.steampowered.com

Release Date: November 13, 2020
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam

Set in the early 1980s, Black Ops Cold War featured a single-player campaign spanning various global locations. Zombies mode received significant updates, including loadouts, tactical item drops, and an upgrade system.

Call of Duty: Vanguard

Image: news.blizzard.com

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

Another World War II entry, Vanguard featured a main storyline and individual backstories for each squad member. Multiplayer boasted a record 20 maps.

Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0

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

Included with Modern Warfare II, Warzone 2.0 introduced ammo sharing, an updated Gulag, and a new DMZ mode.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

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

A direct sequel to the 2019 Modern Warfare, focusing on the fight against terrorists and drug cartels. Gameplay refinements included wall breaching, revised swimming mechanics, and a detailed character customization system.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

Image: store.steampowered.com

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

The third installment in the current Modern Warfare series, combining elements from the previous two games. Multiplayer features a record 24 maps and a new "Slaughter" mode.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Image: moddb.com

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

A sequel to Black Ops Cold War, set in the 1990s during the Persian Gulf conflict. New mechanics include climbing, sliding, and a smart movement system. Zombies mode is divided into rounds.

The Call of Duty franchise currently encompasses 25 games. Its enduring popularity stems from a balance of challenge, realism, and player interaction, consistently refining mechanics while introducing fresh elements. The series has captivated a diverse global audience for over two decades.