Home > News > Call of Duty: Shaping Modern Pop Culture

Call of Duty: Shaping Modern Pop Culture

By FinnMar 14,2025

Call of Duty is a globally renowned and beloved video game franchise. Let's explore its history through a chronological overview of each game's release.

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

Call of Duty

Release Date: October 29, 2003 Developer: Infinity Ward

Launched in 2003, the original Call of Duty offered both single-player and multiplayer experiences. Set during World War II, the single-player campaign featured four distinct narratives: American, British, Soviet, and Allied. Each campaign unfolded through a series of historically-inspired missions, showcasing diverse gameplay scenarios from training exercises to large-scale urban battles. Multiplayer focused on objective-based modes like capturing and holding points or flags.

Call of Duty 2Image: youtube.com

Call of Duty 2

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

Call of Duty 2 remained faithful to the World War II setting. Key improvements included automatic health regeneration while in cover and the removal of the health bar. The game retained the multiple campaign structure with American, British, and Soviet perspectives, each featuring varied missions based on real historical events. Multiplayer gameplay largely mirrored its predecessor. A post-game documentary provided historical context to the war.

Call of Duty 3Image: riotpixels.com

Call of Duty 3

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

An Xbox exclusive, Call of Duty 3 offered a unified storyline instead of separate campaigns. New actions like rowing were introduced, and split-screen multiplayer was added. Technical improvements were significant, enhancing animations, lighting, and overall visuals. This installment also marked the first appearance of civilians in the series (though non-combatants), while handguns were notably absent from the campaign.

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

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

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

Shifting from World War II, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare introduced a modern setting and an alternate history, placing players in 2011 to prevent a nuclear catastrophe. Two campaigns, American and British, were featured. New additions included Arcade Mode, cheat codes, and the introduction of player classes in multiplayer, each with unique strengths and weaknesses.

Call of Duty World at WarImage: polygon.com

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 offered American and Soviet campaigns. While gameplay remained largely similar to previous WWII entries, improvements included enhanced graphics, AI, and special effects. A notable addition was the introduction of Nazi Zombie mode, playable solo or cooperatively.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2Image: pinterest.com

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

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

A direct sequel to Call of Duty 4, Modern Warfare 2 continued the story set in 2016. The single-player campaign added new gameplay mechanics like climbing and underwater movement. Multiplayer enhancements included dual-wielding pistols, new modes, a deeper perk system, and the ability to call in artillery and airstrikes.

Call of Duty Black OpsImage: youtube.com

Call of Duty: Black Ops

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

Set in the Cold War era, Black Ops followed an experienced CIA agent on dangerous missions. While the single-player campaign remained relatively unchanged, new features included in-game currency, character and weapon skins, contracts, and a wagering game mode.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3Image: moddb.com

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

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

Modern Warfare 3 directly continued the story from Modern Warfare 2. Focusing on refinement rather than radical changes, the game improved existing mechanics and enhanced visuals and audio.

Call of Duty Black Ops IIImage: youtube.com

Call of Duty: Black Ops II

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

Black Ops II featured a campaign spanning two time periods (2025-2026 and 1986-1989), with player choices impacting the narrative. Improvements included multiple endings, equipment selection before missions, and enhanced AI.

Call of Duty GhostsImage: youtube.com

Call of Duty: Ghosts

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

Ghosts introduced new characters and a storyline incorporating space combat and alien encounters. Character customization, destructible environments, and perk system changes were also implemented.

Call of Duty Advanced WarfareImage: newsor.net

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

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

Set in a technologically advanced future, Advanced Warfare featured exoskeletons, drones, and other futuristic gadgets. Vertical gameplay was a notable addition.

Call of Duty Black Ops IIIImage: youtube.com

Call of Duty: Black Ops III

Release Date: November 6, 2015 Developer: Treyarch Download: Steam

Black Ops III featured cybernetic enhancements, jetpacks, wall-running, and underwater combat. Nine specialists expanded the class and perk system.

Call of Duty Infinite WarfareImage: wsj.com

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare

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

Infinite Warfare offered a space-faring storyline set on Mars, introducing customizable exoskeletons in multiplayer.

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

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered

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

A remaster of the original Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, this version focused on enhanced visuals, audio, and animations while largely preserving the original gameplay.

Call of Duty WWIIImage: store.steampowered.com

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 campaign with "heroic actions" and the return of medkits. Multiplayer included new modes, larger lobbies, and specialized classes.

Call of Duty Black Ops 4Image: youtube.com

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4

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

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

Call of Duty Modern WarfareImage: store.steampowered.com

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)

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

A reboot of the Modern Warfare subseries, this installment presented a new storyline focusing on contemporary conflicts and controversial themes. Gameplay changes included increased weapon recoil, the introduction of bipods, and a revised Killstreaks system.

Call of Duty WarzoneImage: youtube.com

Call of Duty: Warzone

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

A standalone battle royale title featuring classic battle royale, Rebirth (with respawns), and Plunder (money collection) modes. New mechanics included a downed state and the Gulag 1v1 arena.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 RemasteredImage: youtube.com

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered

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

Another remaster, focusing on visual and audio enhancements for Modern Warfare 2.

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

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 campaign spanning various global locations. Zombies mode received significant updates.

Call of Duty VanguardImage: news.blizzard.com

Call of Duty: Vanguard

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

A return to World War II, Vanguard offered a campaign with multiple character backstories and a multiplayer mode featuring a record number of maps.

Call of Duty Warzone 2.0Image: championat.com

Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0

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

Included with Modern Warfare II, Warzone 2.0 added features like ammo sharing, an updated Gulag, and a new DMZ mode.

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

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

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

A direct sequel to the 2019 Modern Warfare, focusing on the fight against terrorism and drug cartels. Gameplay changes included wall breaching, revised swimming and vehicle mechanics, and an enhanced progression system.

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

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

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

The third installment in the rebooted Modern Warfare series, featuring a more combat-focused campaign and a record number of multiplayer maps, along with a new "Slaughter" mode.

Call of Duty Black Ops 6Image: moddb.com

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

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

A sequel to Black Ops Cold War, set in the 1990s during the Persian Gulf conflict. This installment features new mechanics such as climbing, sliding, and a smart movement system. Zombies mode is also restructured into separate rounds.

The Call of Duty franchise currently boasts 25 titles, consistently delivering a balance of challenge, realism, and engaging multiplayer experiences. Its enduring popularity stems from its ability to refine existing mechanics while introducing innovative features year after year.

Previous article:Horror Game 'Coma 2' Unveils Spooky Dimension Next article:South Park Cuts Season 27 Short, Launches Season 28