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"Modern Pop Culture Phenomenon: Call of Duty's Formation"

by Aaron Mar 29,2025

The **Call of Duty** series has become a legendary staple in the gaming world, captivating millions of players with its intense action and compelling narratives. Let's take a journey through the series, exploring each game in the order they were released.


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

Call of DutyImage: youtube.com

Release date: October 29, 2003
Developer: Infinity Ward

The inaugural Call of Duty game, released in 2003, introduced players to the series' signature blend of action and historical storytelling. Set during World War II, the game offered four single-player campaigns: American, British, Soviet, and Allied. Each campaign featured a series of missions based on real historical events, allowing players to experience the war from different perspectives. The multiplayer mode included small missions focused on capturing and holding points or flags. With 26 diverse missions, including night battles and urban combat, the game set a high standard for the series.

Call of Duty 2

Call of Duty 2Image: youtube.com

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

Call of Duty 2 continued the World War II theme, maintaining the core gameplay while introducing automatic health regeneration. The game featured three campaigns: American, British, and Soviet, each filled with varied missions inspired by real events. The multiplayer mode remained similar to the first game, and players could enjoy a documentary video at the end that highlighted the realities of World War II.

Call of Duty 3

Call of Duty 3Image: riotpixels.com

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

Call of Duty 3, released exclusively for Xbox, shifted to a single unified storyline instead of separate campaigns. The game introduced new actions like rowing a boat and added split-screen multiplayer. Technical improvements included better animation and lighting, and for the first time, civilians appeared in the game, though without weapons. Handguns were notably absent from the campaign.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Call of Duty 4 Modern WarfareImage: blog.activision.com

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

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare marked a significant shift by moving to a modern setting. Set in 2011, the game featured two campaigns: American and English. It introduced Arcade Mode, cheat codes, and a class system in multiplayer, setting new standards for the series. This installment was praised for its innovative approach and became a benchmark for future games.

Call of Duty: World at War

Call of Duty World at WarImage: polygon.com

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

Call of Duty: World at War returned to World War II, featuring American and Soviet campaigns. While the campaigns offered improved graphics and AI, the game's highlight was the introduction of the Nazi Zombies mode. Other innovations included enemy dismemberment, the flamethrower, and customizable character classes, paving the way for the Black Ops subseries.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2Image: pinterest.com

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

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 continued the story from its predecessor, set in 2016. The single-player campaign introduced new gameplay elements like climbing and underwater movement, while the multiplayer mode added dual-wielding, new modes, and a deeper perk system. This game was a massive success, shaping the future of the series.

Call of Duty: Black Ops

Call of Duty Black OpsImage: youtube.com

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

Call of Duty: Black Ops continued the World at War subseries, set in the Cold War era. The game introduced in-game currency, skins, and contracts, enhancing player engagement. The multiplayer mode featured wagering, and the zombies mode returned, becoming a fan favorite.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3Image: moddb.com

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

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 directly followed Modern Warfare 2, continuing the story with beloved characters. The game refined existing mechanics and enhanced graphics and sound, leading to a record-breaking launch in entertainment history.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II

Call of Duty Black Ops IIImage: youtube.com

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

Call of Duty: Black Ops II featured a dual-timeline campaign set in 2025-2026 and 1986-1989, allowing player actions to influence the story and offering multiple endings. The game introduced Strike Force missions and improved AI, receiving positive feedback despite not matching the success of Modern Warfare 3.

Call of Duty: Ghosts

Call of Duty GhostsImage: youtube.com

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

Call of Duty: Ghosts introduced a new story and setting, including space battles and fights against aliens. Key changes included character customization, the option to play as a female character, and destructible environments, altering the series' traditional gameplay.

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

Call of Duty Advanced WarfareImage: newsor.net

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

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare set in a future where technology has advanced significantly, introduced exoskeletons, drones, and vertical gameplay. Despite these innovations, the game received mixed reviews from players who were not fond of the new direction.

Call of Duty: Black Ops III

Call of Duty Black Ops IIIImage: youtube.com

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

Call of Duty: Black Ops III continued the futuristic theme, introducing cybernetic limbs, jetpacks, and wall-running. The game added nine specialists, enhancing the class and perk system, and received positive feedback for its innovative gameplay.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare

Call of Duty Infinite WarfareImage: wsj.com

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

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare was a standalone game set on Mars, focusing on resource exploration. While the single-player mode remained traditional, the multiplayer introduced new exoskeletons with customizable upgrades.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered

Call of Duty Modern Warfare RemasteredImage: store.steampowered.com

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

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered maintained the core gameplay of the original while enhancing audio, visuals, and animations. The remaster included new achievements and cheat codes, appealing to both new and returning players.

Call of Duty: WWII

Call of Duty WWIIImage: store.steampowered.com

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

Call of Duty: WWII returned to the World War II setting, introducing "heroic actions" and medkits. The multiplayer mode expanded with new game modes and a larger lobby size, receiving a warm reception despite the familiar theme.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4

Call of Duty Black Ops 4Image: youtube.com

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

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 shifted away from a traditional campaign, focusing on standalone missions and a battle royale mode. It introduced a "fog of war" system and increased player HP, marking a departure from the series' usual formula.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

Call of Duty Modern WarfareImage: store.steampowered.com

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

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare rebooted the subseries, focusing on modern societal issues like terrorism. The game introduced increased recoil, bipods, and the Killstreaks system, while the Spec Ops mode offered varied operations.

Call of Duty: Warzone

The phenomenon of modern pop culture the formation of Call of DutyImage: youtube.com

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

Call of Duty: Warzone was a standalone battle royale game with three modes: classic battle royale, Rebirth, and Plunder. It introduced new mechanics like the "downed" state and the Gulag, becoming a cultural phenomenon in gaming.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2Image: youtube.com

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

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered focused on enhancing the original's sound, animations, and visuals. Players enjoyed reliving the campaign of one of the series' best entries.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

Call of Duty Black Ops Cold WarImage: store.steampowered.com

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

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War set in early 1981, offered a variety of missions across different continents. The zombies mode introduced loadouts, tactical item drops, and armor upgrades, while the main game maintained traditional mechanics.

Call of Duty: Vanguard

Call of Duty VanguardImage: news.blizzard.com

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

Call of Duty: Vanguard returned to World War II, featuring a short overall storyline and multiple backstories. The game set a new record with 20 multiplayer maps, maintaining the series' familiar gameplay.

Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0

Call of Duty Warzone 2.0Image: championat.com

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

Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0, integrated with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, introduced new features like shared ammo and an updated Gulag. The DMZ mode added faction-based tasks, enhancing the battle royale experience.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

Call of Duty Modern Warfare IIImage: callofduty.fandom.com

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

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II followed the original Modern Warfare, focusing on combating a terrorist organization. The game introduced breaching mechanics, revised swimming and vehicle mechanics, and a detailed progression system.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

Call of Duty Modern Warfare IIIImage: store.steampowered.com

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

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III combined the best elements of the previous two games, offering a combat-focused single-player campaign and a record-setting 24 multiplayer maps. The new "Slaughter" mode added a unique three-team format.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Call of Duty Black Ops 6Image: moddb.com

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

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 continues from Black Ops Cold War, set in the 1990s during the Persian conflict. The game introduces new mechanics like climbing, smart movement, and varied hit reactions, with zombies mode divided into separate rounds.

The Call of Duty franchise, now comprising 25 games, continues to captivate players worldwide. Each year, a new installment is released, eagerly awaited by fans who appreciate the series' balance of difficulty, realism, and player interaction. For over two decades, Call of Duty has consistently improved upon its predecessors, uniting players of all ages and interests with its thrilling gameplay and innovative features.