"Call of Duty: Shaping Modern Pop Culture"

The Call of Duty series, a cornerstone of modern gaming, has captivated millions worldwide with its compelling narratives and exhilarating gameplay. Let's journey through the evolution of this iconic franchise, game by 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

Image: youtube.com

Release date: October 29, 2003
Developer: Infinity Ward
The inaugural Call of Duty game, released in 2003, set the stage for a legendary series. This first installment, centered around World War II, offered players a mix of single-player and multiplayer experiences. It included four distinct campaigns:

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

Each campaign provided a series of missions based on historical events, allowing players to experience the war through the eyes of different nations. The game boasted 26 missions, ranging from training to night battles and urban combat. The multiplayer mode featured small-scale engagements like capturing and holding points.

Call of Duty 2

Image: youtube.com

Release date: October 25, 2005
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Call of Duty 2, also set during World War II, refined the formula of its predecessor. The most notable change was the introduction of automatic health regeneration, removing the need for a visible health bar. The game continued to offer multiple campaigns:

• American campaign
• British campaign
• Soviet campaign

These campaigns featured missions inspired by real events. The multiplayer mode remained similar to the first game, and a documentary video at the game's end provided historical context.

Call of Duty 3

Image: riotpixels.com

Release date: November 7, 2006
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Xbox
Call of Duty 3, exclusive to Xbox, continued the World War II theme but with significant changes. The single-player mode merged into a single storyline, and new actions like rowing a boat were introduced. Split-screen multiplayer was added, enhancing the game's social aspect. Technical improvements included better animations and lighting, and civilians were introduced into the game world, although they were non-combatant.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Image: blog.activision.com

Release date: November 5, 2007
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare marked a shift to a contemporary setting, set in an alternate 2011. The game introduced two campaigns:

• American campaign
• English campaign

New features included an Arcade Mode, cheat codes, and the introduction of classes in multiplayer, which became a staple for future titles. This game set the stage for the Modern Warfare subseries.

Call of Duty: World at War

Image: polygon.com

Release date: November 11, 2008
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Returning to World War II, Call of Duty: World at War introduced two campaigns:

• American campaign
• Soviet campaign

While the campaigns remained largely unchanged, the game introduced a popular Nazi Zombies mode. Other innovations included enemy dismemberment, the use of flamethrowers, and customizable character classes. This game laid the groundwork for the Black Ops subseries.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Image: pinterest.com

Release date: February 11, 2009
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Continuing the Modern Warfare saga, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 took place in 2016. The single-player campaign added new mechanics like climbing and underwater movement. The multiplayer mode expanded with dual-wielding pistols, new modes, and a deeper perk system. The game 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
Call of Duty: Black Ops, set post-World War II, featured a single-player campaign centered around CIA operations. The game introduced in-game currency, character and weapon skins, contracts, and a wagering mode. Multiplayer retained familiar classes and perks, alongside a zombies mode.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Image: moddb.com

Release date: November 8, 2011
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Modern Warfare 3 continued the story from its predecessor, focusing on minor enhancements to existing mechanics, improved sound, and graphics. It set a new record for the most successful launch in entertainment history at the time.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II

Image: youtube.com

Release date: May 2, 2012
Developer: Treyarch
Download: Steam
Set in multiple time periods, Black Ops II introduced player-driven story choices and multiple endings. New features included equipment selection before battles and the ability to control different squad members in Strike Force missions. The game's AI was significantly improved.

Call of Duty: Ghosts

Image: youtube.com

Release date: May 1, 2013
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Call of Duty: Ghosts introduced a new storyline involving space battles and alien encounters. Players could customize their characters, play as a female character, and enjoy destructible environments. The perk system was also revised.

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

Image: newsor.net

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 feedback 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, Black Ops III featured cybernetic enhancements and jetpacks. The game introduced specialists, wall-running, and underwater combat.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare

Image: wsj.com

Release date: November 4, 2016
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Infinite Warfare's story unfolded on Mars, with no major single-player changes but new exoskeletons in multiplayer. Each exoskeleton offered 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 Modern Warfare kept the original gameplay intact, with minor campaign adjustments and new achievements. Audio, visuals, and animations were significantly enhanced.

Call of Duty: WWII

Image: store.steampowered.com

Release date: November 3, 2017
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Returning to World War II, Call of Duty: WWII introduced "heroic actions" and medkits. The multiplayer mode added new game modes, increased lobby size, and introduced 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, Black Ops 4 abandoned the traditional campaign for standalone missions. It introduced a 100-player battle royale mode, increased player HP, 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
A reboot of the Modern Warfare subseries, this game addressed modern societal issues, including terrorism, with heavy content. Changes included increased recoil, bipods, and the return of the Killstreaks system.

Call of Duty: Warzone

Image: youtube.com

Release date: March 10, 2020
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Warzone introduced a standalone battle royale experience with three modes: classic battle royale, Rebirth, and Plunder. It featured new mechanics like the "downed" state and the Gulag system.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered

Image: youtube.com

Release date: March 31, 2020
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: callofduty.com
The remastered version of Modern Warfare 2 focused on enhancing sound, animations, and visuals while keeping the original gameplay intact.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

Image: store.steampowered.com

Release date: November 13, 2020
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
Set in 1981, Black Ops Cold War offered a diverse single-player campaign. The zombies mode introduced loadouts, tactical items, and upgraded armor.

Call of Duty: Vanguard

Image: news.blizzard.com

Release date: November 5, 2021
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Returning to World War II, Vanguard featured a main storyline and individual backstories. The multiplayer mode boasted 20 maps, a new record for the series.

Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0

Image: championat.com

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

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

Image: callofduty.fandom.com

Release date: October 28, 2022
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam
A sequel to Modern Warfare, this game focused on counter-terrorism and drug trafficking. Notable changes included wall breaching, revised swimming, and a new progression system.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

Image: store.steampowered.com

Release date: November 2, 2023
Developer: Sledgehammer Games
Download: Steam
Modern Warfare III combined the best elements from its predecessors, offering a combat-focused campaign and 24 multiplayer maps. It 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, Black Ops 6 introduced new mechanics like climbing, sliding, and a smart movement system. The zombies mode was divided into separate rounds.

The Call of Duty franchise, now comprising 25 games, continues to evolve, maintaining a balance between challenge, realism, and player interaction. Each new installment builds on the successes of its predecessors, cementing the series' status as a beloved and influential part of gaming culture.