The Call of Duty franchise has become an undisputed reference in the world of electronic games, captivating millions of players around the world since its creation in 2003.
With a rich history full of games, the series has redefined the standards of gameplay and graphics in the FPS genre, becoming an icon of the segment.
CoD has expanded in many directions, featuring engaging campaigns, successful multiplayer modes and even professional tournaments.
In this complete and up-to-date guide, you’ll learn all about the franchise, including its history, a list of games in chronological order and lots of trivia.
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What is Call of Duty?
Call of Duty is a renowned first-person shooter (FPS) franchise created in 2003. During its history, several games have been released, captivating a large audience all over the world. Numerous companies have taken turns developing the games, including Infinity Ward, Treyarch and Sledgehammer.
Set in numerous historical periods, real-life inspired scenarios and fictional environments, the franchise’s narrative often centres on armed conflicts and military operations, offering players the chance to experience immersive combat experiences.
The series’ resounding success can be attributed not only to its immersive gameplay, but also to its ability to innovate and adapt over time. In addition to solo campaigns, CoD also stands out for its multiplayer modes, such as Battle Royale, Deathmatch and Domination.
How many Call of Duty games are there?
The franchise has 20 games to date. That’s if we only take into account the games in the main chronology. Call of Duty (2003) was the first title, while Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023) is the most recent.
If you take into account spin-offs, smartphone games, free-to-play and other special games, such as Warzone and Mobile, that number rises to 38.
What is the story of Call of Duty?
Each title in the series has its own plot. However, the franchise tends to feature complex and engaging storylines that cover a variety of historical periods, fictional scenarios and global conflicts.
Many real-life events have already been explored in CoD, such as World War I, World War II and the Cold War. But that hasn’t stopped developers from creating original stories too.
Order of Call of Duty games
- Call of Duty (2003)
- Call of Duty 2 (2005)
- Call of Duty 3 (2006)
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
- Call of Duty: World at War (2008)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012)
- Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013)
- Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops III (2015)
- Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016)
- Call of Duty: WWII (2017)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (2018)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (202)
- Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2023)
Call of Duty (2003)
The first game in the series, Call of Duty, was released on 29 October 2003. It was designed primarily for PC and later ported to other platforms, such as PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
The game is set during the Second World War and allows players to experience the perspective of soldiers from the Allied forces (Americans, British and Soviets) as they fight against the Axis forces (Germans and Japanese).
The storyline is presented in a cinematic way, with various missions and realistic settings based on historical events.
Call of Duty 2 (2005)
Call of Duty 2 is the second title in the series, developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision. It was released in October 2005 for various platforms, including PC and Xbox 360.
The game continued the historical context of its predecessor, taking place during the Second World War. It features campaigns for different perspectives, allowing players to experience the conflict through the eyes of British, Soviet or American soldiers.
The missions are varied, involving combat in different scenarios of the war, such as North Africa, Russia and France.
Call of Duty 3 (2006)
Call of Duty 3 is the third game in the saga. It was developed by Treyarch and released in November 2006 for various consoles, including PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox, Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii. Like its predecessors, the game is set during the Second World War.
The title features a narrative that encompasses various perspectives, including American, British, Canadian and Polish soldiers, providing a diverse experience in terms of scenarios and missions.
What sets this game apart is its emphasis on team battles. The campaign offers cooperative gameplay in which players can work together to fulfil mission objectives. In addition, CoD 3 introduced the first online multiplayer mode in the history of the franchise.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is the fourth title in the series, developed by Infinity Ward and released in November 2007. This game marked a significant change in the franchise, abandoning the World War II setting in favour of a modern environment.
The plot revolves around contemporary conflicts involving terrorist organisations and fictional Middle Eastern nations. The narrative is engaging and cinematic, with varied missions and memorable characters.
Modern Warfare’s multiplayer mode has been particularly praised for its innovation and influence on the FPS genre, introducing new elements such as the progression system and the unlocking of weapons and skills.
Call of Duty: World at War (2008)
Call of Duty: World at War is the fifth game in the Call of Duty saga, developed by Treyarch and released in November 2008. The game returns to the World War II setting, but introduces original elements and perspectives compared to previous titles.
The narrative reproduces some famous events of that time, such as the battles of Stalingrad and Okinawa, allowing players to take on the roles of American and Soviet soldiers. In this sense, the game stood out for its realistic exploration of the horrors of war.
World at War was also known for introducing a co-operative mode for up to four players in the main campaign.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is the sixth game in the franchise, developed by Infinity Ward and released in November 2009. This game is a direct sequel to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and continues to explore technological conflicts.
The narrative revolves around a series of global events, including a Russian invasion of the United States. In this context, you control special forces soldiers to neutralise an imminent terrorist threat.
The title was highly praised for its gripping narrative, striking characters and spectacular action sequences. Multiplayer has been expanded with more customisation options, new maps and game modes.
Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
Call of Duty: Black Ops is the third game in the series. Released in 2010, it was developed by Treyarch and published by Activision.
The game is set during the Cold War and follows the story of the character Alex Mason, a CIA soldier. The plot is characterised by twists and turns, conspiracies and fictional historical events, providing an immersive experience.
In addition to the single-player campaign, Black Ops features a robust multiplayer mode that introduced several innovations to the franchise. This included a class customisation system, allowing players to choose from a variety of weapons, perks and equipment.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, released in 2011, was developed by a partnership between Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games, and published by Activision. This title is the eighth game in the main saga.
The story continues the events of the previous games, exploring fictional global conflicts. Players take on different roles, travelling to various locations around the world as they try to contain an imminent threat that could jeopardise the planet as we know it.
Modern Warfare 3’s multiplayer is marked by a wide variety of maps, game modes, customisations, weapons and vehicles.
Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012)
Call of Duty: Black Ops II is the ninth title in the franchise, developed by Treyarch and published by Activision. The narrative takes place in two timelines: one set during the Cold War and the other in the future, in 2025.
In the campaign, players take on different roles throughout these eras, facing global threats and taking part in clandestine operations.
One of the game’s outstanding features is the system of choices in the storyline, allowing players’ decisions to influence the course of the story and the fate of all the characters.
This non-linear approach added an additional layer to the storyline and provided a more personalised experience for players.
In multiplayer, Black Ops II maintained the emphasis on customisation, introducing new options for creating classes, weapons and game modes.
Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013)
Call of Duty: Ghosts is the tenth game in the series, developed in 2013 by Infinity Ward and published by Activision. The plot is set in the near future, in which the United States has been devastated by a catastrophic event, leading to a change in the global balance of power.
One of the main features of the campaign is the introduction of a new group of protagonists called “Ghosts”, a team of highly trained elite soldiers.
The multiplayer mode includes several innovations, such as more in-depth character customisation, the introduction of dynamic maps that can be changed during matches and the inclusion of new nannies.
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014)
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, the 11th game in the franchise, was released in 2014, developed by Sledgehammer Games and published by Activision. The story centres on Jack Mitchell, a soldier who joins the Atlas Corporation, a private military company run by Jonathan Irons.
The plot deals with themes such as the use of advanced exoskeletons, futuristic weaponry and the growing role of private military corporations.
One of the distinctive features of Advanced Warfare is the inclusion of special outfits that give players enhanced abilities, such as double jumps, wall running and enhanced strength.
These mechanics added a complex new layer to the game, changing the traditional combat dynamics of the series.
Call of Duty: Black Ops III (2015)
Call of Duty: Black Ops III was released in 2015, developed by Treyarch and published by Activision. It is the 12th title in the saga.
The story takes place in a dystopian future where technology has developed and soldiers have been enhanced with cybernetic improvements.
Players take on the role of an elite soldier with advanced skills, facing global challenges, conspiracies and threats.
The storyline involves themes of genetic manipulation, artificial intelligence and ethical issues related to military technology.
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016)
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare is the 13th game in the franchise. Released in 2016, the game was developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision.
The story takes place in a distant future in which nations have united to face a global threat. You take on the role of Captain Nick Reyes, a space fighter pilot whose mission is to defeat a separatist group.
Although it has been praised for its visuals and single-player campaign, some fans have expressed dissatisfaction with certain decisions, such as the futuristic setting and the emphasis on space combat.
Call of Duty: WWII (2017)
Call of Duty: WWII, the 14th game in the series, was released in 2017. Developed by Sledgehammer Games and published by Activision, the game marks the return of the franchise to its origins, once again exploring the Second World War.
The narrative follows a squad called the 1st Infantry Division, whose protagonist is Private Ronald “Red” Daniels. The storyline explores everything from the landing in Normandy to the liberation of Paris.
Throughout the campaign, players meet a series of characters representing different roles and nationalities involved in the conflict, providing a comprehensive perspective on the war.
In addition to the single player mode, the game includes multiplayer modes, in which players can take part in online confrontations on maps inspired by the historical sites of the period.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (2018)
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 was developed by Treyarch and published by Activision in 2018. It is the 15th title in the main saga.
One of the game’s most striking features is the absence of a single player campaign. Instead, the game focuses on three modes: Multiplayer, Zombies and Battle Royale, the latter called Blackout.
Black Ops 4 offers an intense and competitive experience with a variety of maps, weapons, vehicles, equipment and customisations.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare hit the shops in 2019. Developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision, the 16th game in the franchise is a “soft reboot” of the original game, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007).
The title features an intense and cinematic campaign that follows a modern and relevant narrative, exploring themes of war, terrorism and geopolitics. In this sense, players take on different roles throughout the story, providing a multifaceted and comprehensive experience.
In addition to the single player mode, Modern Warfare also features a multiplayer game full of maps, game modes and customisation options.
The game even introduces a new progression system that allows players to unlock weapons, equipment and accessories.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020)
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is the 17th game in the series. Released in 2020, it was developed by a partnership between Treyarch and Raven Software and published by Activision. The game is a direct sequel to Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010).
The story is set during the Cold War in the 1980s, where players embark on a global mission to hunt down a mysterious figure known as “Perseus”. The campaign offers multiple paths and choices that can affect how the narrative unfolds.
Black Ops Cold War maintains its successful multiplayer, offering a vast amount of maps, weapons and game modes.
The game also introduced the famous Warzone mode, a free battle royale mode that was later integrated into other titles in the series.
Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021)
Call of Duty: Vanguard, released in 2021, is the 18th title in the saga. The game was developed by Sledgehammer Games and published by Activision. Once again, the franchise is betting on the real winds of the Second World War.
The campaign tells the story of a group of soldiers from the Allied forces, each representing different nations involved in the conflict.
In multiplayer, the main modes of the series return, as well as new weapons, maps and customisation options.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision, is the 19th game in the franchise and a direct continuation of the reboot (2019).
The game is set in a modern war scenario, where players take on the role of elite soldiers fighting terrorist and military threats in various parts of the planet.
The campaign follows the story of Alex, a CIA agent who infiltrates the terrorist organisation Al-Qatala, led by the villain Zakhaev.
Multiplayer allows up to 64 players to face off in different online modes and maps, with the possibility of customising their weapons, equipment, vehicles and skills.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III is the latest game in the series, making it the 20th in the entire history of the franchise. The game was developed by Sledgehammer Games and published by Activision in 2023.
It is a direct sequel to Modern Warfare II (2022). As such, we have the return of Task Force 141 and its memorable characters, such as Captain John Price and Lieutenant Simon “Ghost” Riley. The enemy is the ultra-nationalist terrorist Vladimir Makarov.
As far as multiplayer is concerned, players will be able to enjoy the same successful modes as in previous titles, such as Domination and Deathmatch.
Which is the most played Call of Duty?
Call of Duty: Mobile is the most played title in the franchise today. According to a report produced by Activision in the second half of 2023, the monthly average of players who play games in the series is 90 million.
Of these 90 million, more than half the audience comes from mobile devices, which leads us to believe that Call of Duty: Mobile has a monthly average of more than 45 million players.
Which is the best Call of Duty?
Call of Duty 4 (2007) and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009) are considered the two best games in the franchise, according to Metacritic.
On the platform, which is the most renowned when it comes to reviews by the public and specialised media, both games received a score of 94 out of 100.
What have been the best-selling CoDs in history?
- Call of Duty: Black Ops – US$ 30,7 milion in revenue
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 – US$ 30,6 milion in revenue
- Call of Duty: Black Ops II – US$ 29 milion in revenue
- Call of Duty: Ghosts – US$ 28 milion in revenue
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 – US$ 26 milion in revenue
Now you know the history of the Call of Duty franchise and all its games! Which is your favourite? Tell us in the comments 😁
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