The Call of Duty franchise stands as a titan in the gaming world, captivating players with its intense action and evolving gameplay since its inception. Let's delve into the history of this iconic series, exploring each game in the order of their release.

Call of Duty

Image: youtube.com

Release date: October 29, 2003
Developer: Infinity Ward

The original Call of Duty burst onto the scene in 2003, taking players back to the heart of World War II. This groundbreaking title offered both single-player and multiplayer experiences, with four distinct campaigns:

• American campaign
• British campaign
• Soviet campaign
• Allied campaign

Each campaign featured a series of missions inspired by real historical events, allowing players to experience the war from various perspectives. The multiplayer mode introduced engaging objectives like capturing and holding points or flags.

Call of Duty 2

Image: youtube.com

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

Call of Duty 2 continued the WWII theme, introducing subtle yet impactful changes. One key innovation was the automatic regeneration of health when players took cover, eliminating the health bar. The game retained the structure of multiple campaigns:

• American campaign
• British campaign
• Soviet campaign

The multiplayer mode remained similar to its predecessor, maintaining the series' beloved competitive spirit. A documentary video at the game's end provided a poignant reflection on the war.

Call of Duty 3

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

Call of Duty 3 marked a shift to a unified storyline instead of separate campaigns, and it was exclusive to Xbox. New gameplay mechanics included rowing a boat, and the introduction of split-screen multiplayer. The game's technical enhancements, such as improved animations and lighting, set new standards for the series. Notably, this installment included civilians and omitted handguns in the campaign.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Image: blog.activision.com

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

With Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, the series pivoted to a modern setting, set in an alternate 2011. Players embarked on a mission to prevent nuclear catastrophe across two campaigns:

• American campaign
• English campaign

Innovations included an Arcade Mode, cheat codes, and the introduction of classes in multiplayer, which became a staple for the franchise. This game laid the groundwork for future Modern Warfare titles.

Call of Duty: World at War

Image: polygon.com

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

Call of Duty: World at War returned to WWII, featuring two campaigns:

• American campaign
• Soviet campaign

While the campaigns didn't introduce much novelty, the game's multiplayer mode introduced a Nazi zombie mode that became a fan favorite. Other enhancements included enemy dismemberment, flamethrowers, and customizable character classes.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

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Release date: February 11, 2009
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 continued the saga, set five years after its predecessor. New gameplay elements included climbing and underwater movement. The multiplayer mode expanded with dual-wielding pistols, new modes, a deeper perk system, and the ability to call in airstrikes. This game solidified the series' direction and popularity.

Call of Duty: Black Ops

Image: youtube.com

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

Call of Duty: Black Ops shifted focus to post-WWII espionage, with players taking on missions as a CIA agent. The game introduced in-game currency, character and weapon skins, and a wagering mode. The zombies mode continued to evolve, adding to the game's replayability.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Image: moddb.com

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

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 directly followed its predecessor, refining existing mechanics and enhancing visuals and sound. Its launch set a record for entertainment history, showcasing the series' massive appeal.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II

Image: youtube.com

Release date: May 2, 2012
Developer: Treyarch
Download: Steam

Call of Duty: Black Ops II introduced a dual-timeline campaign set in 2025-2026 and 1986-1989, with player choices affecting the story. Innovations included multiple endings, equipment selection, and the ability to control different squad members in Strike Force missions.

Call of Duty: Ghosts

Image: youtube.com

Release date: May 1, 2013
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam

Call of Duty: Ghosts introduced a new story and character, with battles extending to space and against aliens. The game allowed for character customization, including playing as a female character, and introduced destructible environments and a revamped perk system.

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

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

Set in a future dominated by corporate military forces, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare introduced exoskeletons, drones, and vertical gameplay. Despite these innovations, the game received mixed reactions from players.

Call of Duty: Black Ops III

Image: youtube.com

Release date: November 6, 2015
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam

Call of Duty: Black Ops III took place in a future where soldiers had cybernetic enhancements. New features included jetpacks, wall-running, and underwater combat. The game introduced specialists, adding depth to the class and perk system.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare

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

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare set its story on Mars, with a focus on resource exploration. The game's multiplayer mode introduced new exoskeletons with customizable upgrades.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered

Image: store.steampowered.com

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

The remastered version of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare focused on enhancing visuals, audio, and animations while keeping the core gameplay intact. New achievements and cheat codes were added to enhance the experience.

Call of Duty: WWII

Image: store.steampowered.com

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

Call of Duty: WWII returned to the series' roots, set during World War II. It introduced "heroic actions" and the return of medkits, while the multiplayer mode featured new game modes and larger lobbies.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4

Image: youtube.com

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

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 shifted away from the traditional campaign, focusing on standalone missions and introducing a 100-player battle royale mode. It also featured increased player health and a new "fog of war" system.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

Image: store.steampowered.com

Release date: May 30, 2019
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam

The 2019 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare reboot tackled contemporary issues like terrorism, featuring intense and controversial content. Changes included increased recoil, bipods, and a revamped Killstreaks system.

Call of Duty: Warzone

Image: youtube.com

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

Call of Duty: Warzone introduced a standalone battle royale experience with multiple modes, including classic battle royale, Rebirth, and Plunder. New mechanics like the "downed" state and the Gulag added unique twists to the genre.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered

Image: youtube.com

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

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered focused on enhancing the visuals, sound, and animations of the original, allowing players to relive one of the series' best campaigns.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

Image: store.steampowered.com

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

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War took players back to the early 1980s, featuring a diverse range of missions across multiple continents. The zombies mode introduced loadouts, tactical items, and a mini-map.

Call of Duty: Vanguard

Image: news.blizzard.com

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

Call of Duty: Vanguard returned to WWII, offering a short main storyline and multiple character backstories. The multiplayer mode set a new record with 20 maps.

Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0

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

Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0, part of Modern Warfare II, introduced new features like shared ammo and an updated Gulag. The new DMZ mode allowed players to complete tasks for various factions.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

Image: callofduty.fandom.com

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

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II continued the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking, with minimal gameplay changes. New features included wall breaching, revised swimming mechanics, and a detailed character progression system.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

Image: store.steampowered.com

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

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III combined the best elements of its predecessors, offering more combat-focused missions and a record 24 multiplayer maps. A new "Slaughter" mode added a fresh twist to multiplayer.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Image: moddb.com

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

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, set during the Persian conflict in the 1990s, reintroduced new mechanics like climbing, sliding, and a smart movement system. The zombies mode was revamped into separate rounds.

The Call of Duty franchise, spanning 25 games, has consistently delivered thrilling experiences that balance difficulty, realism, and player interaction. Each new installment builds upon the successes of its predecessors, ensuring the series remains a beloved staple in the gaming community.