"Call of Duty: Shaping Modern Pop Culture"

The Call of Duty franchise is a legendary series of games known and loved around the world. Let's briefly go through all the games in the order they were released.

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

Image: youtube.com

Release date: October 29, 2003
Developer: Infinity Ward
The first Call of Duty was released in 2003, and many of today's players of this series weren't even born yet! This iconic game features both multiplayer and single-player modes, focusing on World War II. The game includes four single-player campaigns: American, British, Soviet, and Allied, each consisting of missions based on historical events. The multiplayer mode involves small missions like capturing and holding points or flags, where one team of players faces off against another.

Call of Duty 2

Image: youtube.com

Release date: October 25, 2005
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
The second game in the series, like its predecessor, is set during World War II. Call of Duty 2 introduced automatic health regeneration for the player's character when taking cover, along with the removal of the health bar. The game features three campaigns: American, British, and Soviet, with missions inspired by real events. The multiplayer mode remains similar to the first game, and at the end, players can watch a documentary video about World War II.

Call of Duty 3

Image: riotpixels.com

Release date: November 7, 2006
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Xbox
Call of Duty 3, released exclusively for Xbox, sticks to the World War II theme but with significant changes. The single-player mode features a unified storyline instead of separate campaigns, and players can perform new actions like rowing a boat. The game also introduced split-screen multiplayer, improved animations, lighting, and other technical aspects. Notably, this game includes civilians and omits handguns from the campaign.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Image: blog.activision.com

Release date: November 5, 2007
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
The fourth game in the series shifted to a modern setting, moving away from World War II. Set in 2011, the game features two campaigns: American and English, where players work to prevent a nuclear catastrophe. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare introduced Arcade Mode, cheat codes, and the class system in multiplayer, which became a staple of the series.

Call of Duty: World at War

Image: polygon.com

Release date: November 11, 2008
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Returning to World War II, this game includes American and Soviet campaigns. While the campaigns were largely similar to previous games, it introduced improved graphics, AI, and special effects. A significant addition was the Nazi Zombies multiplayer mode, along with features like dismemberment, flamethrowers, and character class customization. This game marked the beginning of the Black Ops subseries.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Image: pinterest.com

Release date: February 11, 2009
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
A direct sequel to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, this game's events take place in 2016. The single-player campaign introduced new gameplay elements like climbing and underwater movement. The multiplayer mode saw minor updates, including dual wielding pistols, new multiplayer modes, a deeper perk system, and the ability to call in airstrikes. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was a massive success, shaping the future of the series.

Call of Duty: Black Ops

Image: youtube.com

Release date: November 9, 2010
Developer: Treyarch
Download: Steam
Set post-World War II, this game follows a CIA agent on dangerous missions to prevent a military disaster. The single-player campaign maintained its traditional format, with the addition of more vehicles. The game introduced in-game currency, character and weapon skins, contracts, and a wagering game mode. Multiplayer featured familiar classes, perk leveling, and zombies mode.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Image: moddb.com

Release date: November 8, 2011
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
A direct continuation of Modern Warfare 2, this game keeps the beloved characters and improves existing mechanics, sound, and graphics. It set a world record for the most successful launch in entertainment history at the time, reflecting Activision's understanding of player preferences.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II

Image: youtube.com

Release date: May 2, 2012
Developer: Treyarch
Download: Steam
Set in two different time periods—2025–2026 and 1986–1989—this game's campaign allows player actions to impact the storyline, with multiple endings. Players can choose equipment before battles and control different characters in Strike Force missions. Despite not matching the explosive success of its predecessor, it performed well.

Call of Duty: Ghosts

Image: youtube.com

Release date: May 1, 2013
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Introducing a new character and story, this game expands battles to space and includes a mode against aliens. Key changes include character customization, the option to play as a female character, destructible environments, and changes to the perk system.

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

Image: newsor.net

Release date: November 4, 2014
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Set in a future where technology is advanced and corporations govern via private military companies, this game introduced exoskeletons, drones, and vertical gameplay. However, it was met with a lukewarm reception from players.

Call of Duty: Black Ops III

Image: youtube.com

Release date: November 6, 2015
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Set forty years after Black Ops II, this game features soldiers with cybernetic limbs that can transform into weapons. New additions include jetpacks, specialists, wall-running, and the ability to shoot while swimming or underwater.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare

Image: wsj.com

Release date: November 4, 2016
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Set on Mars, this standalone game focuses on resource exploration. The 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
This remaster maintained the core game, with minor changes to the campaign and new achievements and cheat codes. Significant enhancements were made to audio, visuals, and animations.

Call of Duty: WWII

Image: store.steampowered.com

Release date: November 3, 2017
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Returning to World War II, this game introduced "heroic actions," medkits, and the ability to request assistance from NPCs. The multiplayer mode saw new game modes, increased lobby size, and special classes.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4

Image: youtube.com

Release date: October 12, 2018
Developer: Treyarch
Download: Steam
Set between Black Ops II and III, this game abandoned the classic campaign in favor of standalone Specialist missions. It introduced a 150 HP system with stimulants and medkits, a "fog of war" map system, and a 100-player battle royale mode.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

Image: store.steampowered.com

Release date: May 30, 2019
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
This reboot of the Modern Warfare subseries addressed modern societal issues, including terrorism, with heavy content. New features included increased recoil, bipods, the Killstreaks system, and a split Spec Ops mode.

Call of Duty: Warzone

Image: youtube.com

Release date: March 10, 2020
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
A new standalone project, Warzone introduced three modes: classic battle royale, Rebirth, and Plunder. It features a "downed" state, the Gulag system, and extensive vehicle use due to the map's size.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered

Image: youtube.com

Release date: March 31, 2020
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: callofduty.com
This remaster focused on enhancing sound, animations, and visuals, allowing players to relive the beloved campaign.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

Image: store.steampowered.com

Release date: November 13, 2020
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Set in 1981, this game takes players across various global locations. It maintained traditional mechanics but introduced changes to the zombies mode, including loadouts, tactical items, and armor upgrades.

Call of Duty: Vanguard

Image: news.blizzard.com

Release date: November 5, 2021
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Set during World War II, this game features a main storyline with multiple backstories for the characters. It includes 20 multiplayer maps, a series record.

Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0

Image: championat.com

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

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

Image: callofduty.fandom.com

Release date: October 28, 2022
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
A direct sequel to Modern Warfare, this game focuses on combating a terrorist organization and drug traffickers. It introduced wall breaching, revised swimming and vehicle 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
This game combines the best elements from its predecessors, with a single-player campaign featuring combat-focused missions and a record 24 multiplayer maps. It also introduced the "Slaughter" mode.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Image: moddb.com

Release date: October 25, 2024
Developer: Treyarch and Raven Software
Download: Steam
Set in the 1990s during the Persian conflict, this game introduces new mechanics like climbing, sliding, smart movement, and different hit reactions. The zombies mode is divided into separate rounds.

The Call of Duty franchise currently includes 25 games, with a new installment released each year. Players eagerly await these releases due to the series' balance of difficulty, realism, and interaction, which delivers an adrenaline rush and rewards success. For 21 years, each game has built on the best mechanics of its predecessors while adding something new, winning the hearts of players worldwide.