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

Call of Duty: A legendary franchise spanning decades, captivating players worldwide. 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, launched in 2003, introduced a blend of single-player and multiplayer experiences set during World War II. The single-player campaign featured four distinct perspectives: American, British, Soviet, and Allied, each offering a unique series of historically-inspired missions. Multiplayer focused on objective-based gameplay like capturing and holding points. The game featured 26 diverse missions, ranging from training exercises to large-scale urban battles.

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Call of Duty 2

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

Continuing the World War II theme, Call of Duty 2 refined the formula. Key changes included automatic health regeneration while in cover and the removal of the health bar. The game maintained the multiple campaign structure, each with varied missions based on real historical events. The American, British, and Soviet campaigns offered diverse gameplay experiences. Multiplayer remained largely unchanged from the first game, concluding with a documentary reflecting the realities of WWII.

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Call of Duty 3

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

An Xbox exclusive, Call of Duty 3 marked a shift. Instead of separate campaigns, a unified storyline emerged. New actions, such as rowing a boat, were introduced, along with split-screen multiplayer. Technically, the game was a significant advancement, boasting improved animation, lighting, and overall visuals. This was the first game to feature civilians (though not interactable as weapons) and notably omitted handguns from the campaign.

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Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

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

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare boldly transitioned the series to a modern setting, creating an alternate reality. Set in 2011, the game tasked players with preventing a global nuclear catastrophe. The American and British campaigns delivered a compelling narrative. New additions included Arcade Mode, cheat codes, and a class-based multiplayer system that would become a staple of the series.

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Call of Duty: World at War

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

A return to World War II, this installment featured American and Soviet campaigns. While improving graphics and AI, the core gameplay remained similar to previous WWII titles. A significant addition was the introduction of Nazi Zombie mode, playable solo or cooperatively. Other innovations included enemy dismemberment, the flamethrower weapon, and further character class customization.

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

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

A direct sequel to Modern Warfare, this title continued the modern conflict storyline set in 2016. New gameplay elements such as climbing and underwater movement were introduced, though limited to specific missions. Multiplayer enhancements included dual-wielding pistols, new modes, a refined perk system, and the ability to call in artillery and airstrikes.

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Call of Duty: Black Ops

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

Black Ops shifted the setting to the Cold War era, following a CIA agent on dangerous missions. While the single-player campaign remained largely similar to previous entries, new features included in-game currency, character and weapon skins, contracts, and a wagering game mode. Multiplayer retained the class system and zombie mode.

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

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

Modern Warfare 3 directly followed the events of Modern Warfare 2, continuing the story and characters. Focusing on refinement rather than radical changes, the game improved existing mechanics and enhanced visuals and audio. This approach resulted in a highly successful launch.

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Call of Duty: Black Ops II

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

Black Ops II presented a unique narrative spanning two time periods: 1980s and 2020s. The campaign included player choices impacting the storyline and multiple endings. New features included equipment selection before battles and improved AI. Strike Force missions allowed players to switch between squad members.

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Call of Duty: Ghosts

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

Ghosts introduced a new protagonist and storyline, expanding the setting to include space combat and alien encounters. Character customization, including playing as a female character, and destructible environments were added. The perk system also underwent revisions.

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Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

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

Advanced Warfare projected players into a technologically advanced future dominated by private military corporations. Exoskeletons, drones, and other futuristic gadgets were central to the gameplay. Vertical gameplay and additional alien-themed modes were also introduced.

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Call of Duty: Black Ops III

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

Black Ops III continued the Black Ops storyline, set decades after Black Ops II. Cybernetic enhancements, wall-running, and underwater combat were key features. Nine specialists were added, expanding the class and perk system.

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Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare

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

Infinite Warfare presented a standalone story set on Mars, focusing on resource acquisition and exploration. While single-player mechanics remained largely unchanged, multiplayer introduced customizable exoskeletons.

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered

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

A remaster of the original Modern Warfare, this version focused on enhanced visuals, audio, and animations while retaining the core gameplay.

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Call of Duty: WWII

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

A return to the World War II setting, WWII featured a focus on squad dynamics and historical accuracy. New features included "heroic actions" and the return of medkits. Multiplayer expanded with new modes and larger lobbies.

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 4

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

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

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)

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

A reboot of the Modern Warfare series, this installment presented a new storyline focused on modern terrorism. The game featured controversial content and gameplay changes such as increased weapon recoil and the return of Killstreaks.

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Call of Duty: Warzone

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

Warzone introduced a standalone battle royale experience with various modes, including classic battle royale, Rebirth, and Plunder. Key mechanics included a downed state and the Gulag, a one-on-one arena for a second chance.

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered

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

Another remaster, this version updated Modern Warfare 2 with improved visuals, audio, and animations.

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Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

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. The Zombies mode received significant updates, including loadout creation and armor upgrades.

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Call of Duty: Vanguard

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

Vanguard returned to World War II, offering multiple interwoven storylines within the campaign. Multiplayer featured a record-breaking 20 maps.

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Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0

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

Warzone 2.0, integrated with Modern Warfare II, introduced new features such as ammo sharing, an updated Gulag, and a new DMZ mode.

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)

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

A direct sequel to 2019's Modern Warfare, this game focused on combating terrorism and drug cartels. Notable changes included wall breaching, revised swimming and vehicle mechanics, and an enhanced character customization system.

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

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

Modern Warfare III combines elements from the previous two Modern Warfare installments, offering a robust single-player campaign and a multiplayer mode with a record 24 maps. A new "Slaughter" mode was also introduced.

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

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

Black Ops 6 continues the Black Ops storyline, set in the 1990s during the Persian Gulf War. New mechanics include climbing, sliding, and a refined movement system. The Zombies mode is restructured into separate rounds.

The Call of Duty franchise boasts 25 titles, consistently delivering engaging gameplay and captivating players year after year. The series’ enduring success lies in its balance of difficulty, realism, and social interaction, constantly evolving while retaining its core appeal.