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"Call of Duty: Shaping Modern Pop Culture"

by Carter Apr 14,2025

Call of Duty is a legendary series of games that has captivated players around the world since its inception. Let’s explore all the games in the order they were released, highlighting their unique features and contributions to the franchise.

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 Duty

Call of Duty

Release Date: October 29, 2003
Developer: Infinity Ward
Download: Steam

The inaugural Call of Duty, released in 2003, set the stage for the series. It introduced players to a World War II setting with both multiplayer and single-player modes. The game featured four single-player campaigns:

  • American Campaign
  • British Campaign
  • Soviet Campaign
  • Allied Campaign

Each campaign offered a series of missions based on historical events, allowing players to experience the war from various perspectives. The multiplayer mode included small missions like capturing and holding points or flags, pitting players against each other in team-based action.

Call of Duty 2

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 when players stayed in cover without taking damage. The game maintained the structure of multiple campaigns:

  • American Campaign
  • British Campaign
  • Soviet Campaign

The multiplayer mode remained similar to the first game, and a documentary video at the end highlighted the realities of World War II.

Call of Duty 3

Call of Duty 3

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

Call of Duty 3, exclusive to Xbox, shifted to a single unified storyline instead of separate campaigns. It introduced new actions like rowing a boat and added split-screen multiplayer. The game improved technically with better animation and lighting, and for the first time, included civilians in the narrative.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare

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

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare marked a significant shift to a modern setting, set in 2011. It introduced two campaigns:

  • American Campaign
  • English Campaign

The game added an Arcade Mode, cheat codes, and a class system for multiplayer, setting a new standard for the series and earning widespread acclaim.

Call of Duty: World at War

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 two campaigns:

  • American Campaign
  • Soviet Campaign

The game introduced a popular Nazi Zombies mode and added features like dismemberment, flamethrowers, and character customization, paving the way for the Black Ops series.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2

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

A sequel to Modern Warfare, this game introduced new gameplay mechanics like climbing and underwater movement. It expanded the multiplayer with dual-wielding pistols, new modes, and deeper perk systems, achieving immense success and shaping the series' future.

Call of Duty: Black Ops

Call of Duty Black Ops

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

Set post-World War II, Black Ops focused on covert operations. It introduced in-game currency, character and weapon skins, contracts, and a wagering game mode, enhancing the multiplayer experience.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3

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

Continuing the Modern Warfare storyline, this game refined existing mechanics and set a record for the most successful entertainment launch, reflecting players' preference for familiar gameplay with improved graphics and sound.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II

Call of Duty Black Ops II

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

Black Ops II introduced a dual-timeline narrative, allowing player choices to affect the storyline. It added Strike Force missions and improved AI, maintaining the series' high standards.

Call of Duty: Ghosts

Call of Duty Ghosts

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

Ghosts introduced a new storyline with space battles and alien encounters. It featured character customization, female playable characters, and destructible environments, refreshing the series.

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

Call of Duty Advanced Warfare

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

Set in a futuristic world, Advanced Warfare introduced exoskeletons, drones, and vertical gameplay. Despite its innovative features, it received mixed reactions from players.

Call of Duty: Black Ops III

Call of Duty Black Ops III

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

Black Ops III embraced a cybernetic future with jetpacks and wall-running. It added specialists and enhanced underwater combat, continuing the series' evolution.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare

Call of Duty Infinite Warfare

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

Set on Mars, Infinite Warfare focused on resource exploration. It introduced new exoskeletons for multiplayer, allowing for customization and unique upgrades.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered

Call of Duty Modern Warfare Remastered

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

This remaster preserved the original Modern Warfare's essence while enhancing visuals, audio, and animations. It added new achievements and cheat codes, delighting fans.

Call of Duty: WWII

Call of Duty WWII

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

Returning to World War II, WWII introduced "heroic actions" and medkits, along with multiplayer changes like new modes and larger lobbies. It was warmly received despite the fatigue with the setting.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4

Call of Duty Black Ops 4

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

Black Ops 4 shifted to a futuristic setting without a traditional campaign, focusing on standalone Specialist missions. It introduced a 100-player battle royale mode and increased player health.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

Call of Duty Modern Warfare

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

A reboot of the Modern Warfare series, this game addressed modern societal issues with heavy themes. It introduced increased recoil, bipods, and a revamped Spec Ops mode.

Call of Duty: Warzone

Call of Duty Warzone

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

Warzone introduced a standalone battle royale experience with classic, Rebirth, and Plunder modes. It featured a "downed" state and the Gulag, revolutionizing the multiplayer format.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2

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

This remaster enhanced the visuals, sound, and animations of the beloved Modern Warfare 2, allowing players to relive its iconic campaign.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War

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

Set during the Cold War, Black Ops Cold War featured a diverse campaign across multiple continents. It introduced loadout creation and upgraded zombies mode mechanics.

Call of Duty: Vanguard

Call of Duty Vanguard

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

Returning to World War II, Vanguard focused on a cohesive storyline with backstories for each character. It set a new record with 20 multiplayer maps.

Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0

Call of Duty Warzone 2.0

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

Warzone 2.0, part of Modern Warfare II, introduced features like shared ammo, an updated Gulag, and a new DMZ mode, enhancing the battle royale experience.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

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 mechanics, and a detailed progression system.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

Call of Duty Modern Warfare III

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

Modern Warfare III combined the best elements of its predecessors with a combat-focused campaign and 24 multiplayer maps. It introduced a new "Slaughter" mode for intense team battles.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Call of Duty Black Ops 6

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

Set during the Persian conflict in the 1990s, Black Ops 6 introduced new mechanics like climbing, sliding, and a smart movement system. It also revamped the zombies mode into separate rounds.

The Call of Duty series has evolved over 21 years, consistently balancing difficulty, realism, and player interaction. Each game builds on the successes of its predecessors, adding new features and maintaining a loyal fanbase across the globe.