Call of Duty: Shaping Modern Pop Culture

Call of Duty Series Overview

The Call of Duty series, a legendary name in gaming, has captivated players around the globe since its inception. Let's take a journey through the evolution of this iconic franchise, exploring each game in the order of their release.

Table of Content

• 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

Call of Duty

Release date: October 29, 2003
Developer: Infinity Ward
The first Call of Duty game, released in 2003, set the stage for what would become a legendary series. Featuring both multiplayer and single-player modes, it focused on World War II and included four single-player campaigns: American, British, Soviet, and Allied. Each campaign comprised a series of missions reflecting historical events, allowing players to experience the war from multiple perspectives. The multiplayer mode involved team-based missions, such as capturing and holding points.

Call of Duty 2

Release date: October 25, 2005
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Call of Duty 2 continued the World War II theme, introducing automatic health regeneration and removing the health bar. The game retained the familiar multiple campaigns—American, British, and Soviet—each filled with varied missions based on real historical events. The multiplayer mode remained similar to its predecessor, and the game concluded with a documentary video about World War II.

Call of Duty 3

Release date: November 7, 2006
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Xbox
Released exclusively for Xbox, Call of Duty 3 shifted from separate campaigns to a single unified storyline. New gameplay mechanics included rowing boats and split-screen multiplayer. Technical improvements enhanced animation and lighting, and the game introduced civilians and excluded handguns from the campaign.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Release date: November 5, 2007
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Marking a significant shift to a modern setting, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare introduced players to a 2011 world on the brink of nuclear catastrophe. Featuring American and English campaigns, the game added an Arcade Mode, cheat codes, and introduced the class system in multiplayer, setting a new standard for the series.

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 with improved graphics and AI. The game introduced a Nazi zombies multiplayer mode and innovations like dismemberment, flamethrowers, and customizable character classes, laying the groundwork for the Black Ops subseries.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Release date: February 11, 2009
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
A direct sequel to Modern Warfare, this game introduced new gameplay elements like climbing and underwater movement. The multiplayer mode saw enhancements with dual-wielding pistols, new modes, a deeper perk system, and the ability to call in airstrikes, solidifying its place as a defining title in the series.

Call of Duty: Black Ops

Release date: November 9, 2010
Developer: Treyarch
Download: Steam
Set post-World War II, Black Ops followed a CIA agent on dangerous missions. The game introduced in-game currency, skins, contracts, and a wagering mode. It retained familiar elements like classes, perk leveling, and zombies mode, enhancing the series' appeal.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Release date: November 8, 2011
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Continuing the Modern Warfare saga, this game refined existing mechanics and enhanced sound and graphics. Its successful launch set a new record in entertainment history, reflecting the series' growing popularity.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II

Release date: May 2, 2012
Developer: Treyarch
Download: Steam
Set in two time periods, Black Ops II introduced player choices affecting the storyline and multiple endings. New features included equipment selection, Strike Force missions, and improved AI, maintaining the series' momentum.

Call of Duty: Ghosts

Release date: May 1, 2013
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Introducing a new story and character, Ghosts expanded gameplay to space and included battles against aliens. New features included character customization, female playable characters, destructible environments, and changes to the perk system.

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

Release date: November 4, 2014
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Set in a future dominated by corporations, Advanced Warfare introduced exoskeletons, drones, and vertical gameplay. Despite these innovations, the game received mixed reactions from players.

Call of Duty: Black Ops III

Release date: November 6, 2015
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Set forty years after Black Ops II, this game featured cybernetic enhancements and jetpacks. New gameplay elements included wall-running, underwater shooting, and specialists, adding depth to the series.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare

Release date: November 4, 2016
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Set on Mars, Infinite Warfare introduced new exoskeletons with customizable upgrades. The game maintained the series' focus on multiplayer while offering a unique single-player experience.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered

Release date: November 4, 2016
Developer: Raven Software
Download: Steam
The remastered version of Modern Warfare kept the core game intact while enhancing audio, visuals, and animations. New achievements and cheat codes were added, appealing to both new and returning players.

Call of Duty: WWII

Release date: November 3, 2017
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Returning to World War II, WWII introduced "heroic actions," medkits, and NPC assistance. The multiplayer mode featured new game modes, larger lobbies, and special classes, revitalizing the series' roots.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4

Release date: October 12, 2018
Developer: Treyarch
Download: Steam
Set between Black Ops II and III, Black Ops 4 shifted to a futuristic setting without a traditional campaign. It introduced standalone missions, increased player HP, a "fog of war" system, and a 100-player battle royale mode.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

Release date: May 30, 2019
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Rebooting the Modern Warfare subseries, this game focused on modern societal issues, including terrorism. It introduced increased recoil, bipods, the Killstreaks system, and a revamped Spec Ops mode.

Call of Duty: Warzone

Release date: March 10, 2020
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
A standalone battle royale game, Warzone introduced three modes: classic battle royale, Rebirth, and Plunder. New mechanics included the "downed" state, the Gulag, and extensive vehicle use.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered

Release date: March 31, 2020
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: callofduty.com
This remaster focused on enhancing sound, animations, and visuals while keeping the original campaign intact. It allowed players to relive one of the series' best entries.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

Release date: November 13, 2020
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Set in 1981, Cold War offered a variety of missions across multiple continents. The game retained familiar mechanics but introduced new features in the zombies mode, such as loadouts, tactical item drops, and armor upgrades.

Call of Duty: Vanguard

Release date: November 5, 2021
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Returning to World War II, Vanguard featured a short main storyline and backstories for each group member. The multiplayer mode set a new record with 20 maps, maintaining the series' tradition.

Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0

Release date: November 16, 2022
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Part of Modern Warfare II, Warzone 2.0 introduced new features like shared ammo, an updated Gulag, and a new DMZ mode, enhancing the battle royale experience.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

Release date: October 28, 2022
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
A direct sequel to Modern Warfare, this game focused on combating terrorism and drug trafficking. It introduced wall breaching, revised swimming and vehicle mechanics, and a detailed progression system.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

Release date: November 2, 2023
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Combining the best elements of its predecessors, Modern Warfare III offered a combat-focused single-player campaign and a record-breaking 24 multiplayer maps. It introduced the "Slaughter" mode, featuring three teams of three players.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Release date: October 25, 2024
Developer: Treyarch and Raven Software
Download: Steam
Set in the 1990s during the Persian conflict, Black Ops 6 reintroduced new mechanics like obstacle climbing, slide tackles, and a smart movement system. The zombies mode was divided into separate rounds, adding fresh gameplay elements.

The Call of Duty franchise, now spanning 25 games, continues to captivate players with its annual releases. The series' success lies in its balance of difficulty, realism, and player interaction, delivering adrenaline-pumping experiences while rewarding success. Over 21 years, each game has built upon the best mechanics of its predecessors, uniting players worldwide and cementing its status as one of the most popular shooter series in gaming history.