The Significance of Call of Duty in Video Game History

To say that Call of Duty is a landmark franchise in the gaming industry would be an understatement. It’s impossible to discuss first-person shooters or action games without referencing this iconic series, which has helped shape the genre and set new standards over the past two decades. Known for revolutionizing single-player campaigns and online multiplayer battles, Call of Duty has become one of the most successful and influential franchises in gaming history.

Multiplayer Dominance and Cultural Impact

For years, Call of Duty has dominated the multiplayer landscape, establishing a massive competitive community worldwide. The series has introduced memorable characters such as Captain Price and Alex Mason, while also featuring surprise guest appearances from personalities like Spawn, Snoop Dogg, and Lionel Messi in multiplayer modes. With the release of Black Ops 6, now available, it’s a great time to look back on over 20 years of incredible game entries and evolving gameplay experiences.

Exploring Different Time Periods and Conflicts

The franchise spans a wide range of settings—from historical World War II battles to futuristic wars of the distant future. Whether exploring our past or imagining possible futures, each game offers a unique perspective on warfare and storytelling. Below, you’ll find a comprehensive list of every Call of Duty game in chronological order, helping you understand the series’ progression and narrative timeline.

Jump to:

• How to Play in Chronological Order
• How to Play by Release Date

How Many Call of Duty Games Are There?

Due to the numerous subseries, spin-offs, expansions, and different studios involved, figuring out the exact number of Call of Duty titles can be challenging. If we focus only on the main entries with single-player campaigns—including all World War II titles, the Modern Warfare series (including its reboot), and the Black Ops series—there are 20 main games.

However, the series’ complexity increases when considering various expansions, online-only experiences, mobile games, and spin-offs. For instance, Call of Duty: United Offensive is an expansion for the original game, while Call of Duty: Finest Hour and Call of Duty 2: Big Red One are side stories related to early entries.

Additional Spin-offs and Variations

• Strategy games like Call of Duty: Siege (2016), based on the Infinite Warfare universe
• Mobile titles such as Call of Duty: Heroes (2014) and the mobile version of Black Ops
• Different editions for handheld consoles, including Call of Duty: Black Ops: Declassified for PS Vita and Modern Warfare 3: Defiance for Nintendo DS
• The Chinese free-to-play Call of Duty Online, launched in 2015 and shut down in 2021, succeeded by the ongoing Call of Duty Mobile

Zombie Modes and Battle Royale

The popular Zombies mode has been a key feature since its debut in World at War (2008), appearing in many subsequent titles. More recently, the franchise embraced the battle royale genre with Warzone, launched in 2020. This mode became hugely popular and was later replaced by Warzone 2.0 in 2022, featuring a revamped map and gameplay. Additionally, Warzone Mobile brought the battle royale experience to iOS and Android devices in early 2024.

Which Call of Duty Game Should You Start With?

For newcomers or those seeking a straightforward experience, we recommend beginning with the 2019 reboot of Modern Warfare. This entry provides a modern, accessible entry point into the series’ campaigns, as all three Modern Warfare titles are available on current consoles and PC. Since these games were released within the last five years, they avoid feeling overly outdated compared to older titles, especially the Black Ops subseries.

Call of Duty Games in Chronological Order

Note: Minor spoilers may be present for storylines, characters, and key events.

1. Call of Duty (2003)

Developed by Infinity Ward, this inaugural game introduced players to the brutal realities of World War II through three distinct campaigns featuring soldiers from the United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union.

Players experience Private Martin’s training and Normandy invasion, Sergeant Evans’s battles during Operation Tonga, and Soviet soldier Voronin’s fight at Stalingrad, establishing the series’ focus on historical conflict.

2. Call of Duty 2 (2005)

The sequel expands on its predecessor with four campaigns, offering perspectives from American, Soviet, and British soldiers. Notable missions include defending Moscow, assaulting D-Day beaches, and fighting in North Africa, with Captain Price making recurring appearances.

3. Call of Duty: World at War (2008)

This entry by Treyarch revisits WWII, focusing on the Pacific Theater and Eastern Fronts. Players follow Marine Private C. Miller in the Pacific and Soviet Private Dimitri Petrenko at Stalingrad, delivering intense and visceral combat scenarios.

4. Call of Duty 3 (2006)

Developed by Treyarch, this game depicts the 1944 Normandy campaign, with armies from Britain, Poland, the U.S., Canada, and France fighting Nazi Germany. It’s notable as the first main series entry not developed by Infinity Ward and is unavailable on PC.

5. Call of Duty: WWII (2017)

Returning to its roots, Sledgehammer Games’ WWII focuses on a single protagonist, Red Daniels, and his squad fighting across Europe from Normandy to Germany. The game emphasizes immersive storytelling and visceral combat.

6. Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021)

This installment explores multiple perspectives from different fronts of WWII, centered around the secret Nazi project “Phoenix.” It features flashbacks from 1941, with most of the campaign set in 1945, near the war’s end.

7. Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)

Set during the Cold War and Vietnam era, players join CIA operative Alex Mason to uncover Soviet sleeper agents and prevent the release of the deadly Nova 6 chemical weapon. The game’s espionage themes and historical settings are key highlights.

8. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020)

Connecting the original Black Ops with Black Ops 2, this game is set in 1981. You join team leader “Bell” (customizable) to hunt a Soviet operative known as “Perseus,” exploring Cold War espionage and covert operations with familiar characters from previous entries.

9. Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012)

This sequel features dual timelines—one following Mason after Nova 6, and the other focusing on his son, David, in 2025. The game explores Cold War aftermath and modern terrorist threats, with a focus on strategic choices and branching storylines.

10. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (2024)

Set in the early 1990s, Black Ops 6 revolves around the Gulf War and a shadowy group infiltrating the CIA. The storyline features appearances by political figures like Bill Clinton and Saddam Hussein, blending real-world history with fiction.

11. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)

This game marked a shift to contemporary warfare, focusing on a fictional conflict involving Middle Eastern politics and Russian unrest. Captain Price and Soap MacTavish lead a squad to prevent global catastrophe.

12. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)

Set five years later, the story centers on Vladimir Makarov and ultranationalist terrorism. Iconic characters like Soap, Ghost, and Nikolai team up to thwart Makarov’s deadly plans against the U.S.

13. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)

The conclusion of the trilogy, MW3 picks up with Makarov’s threats escalating. Players follow Price, Soap, and other key characters in a race to stop nuclear devastation and bring Makarov to justice.

14. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)

A reboot that modernized the series, this entry features Captain Price in a contemporary conflict involving Urzikstan and terrorist groups. It’s praised for its realistic portrayal of modern warfare.

15. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)

Set in 2022, this sequel continues the narrative from the reboot, with familiar characters fighting against new threats from Iran’s Quds Force and other terrorist factions, emphasizing international espionage and covert ops.

16. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023)

Following the events of 2022, MWIII returns to the familiar Task Force 141, with key characters and the villain Vladimir Makarov reappearing. It continues the high-stakes global conflict storyline with intense multiplayer and campaign modes.

17. Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013)

This standalone entry features the elite Ghosts unit, operating in a future where the United States faces a war against a South American federation. The game explores themes of patriotism and covert military operations.

18. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014)

Set in 2054, players control Jack Mitchell, a Marine turned private military contractor. The game introduces futuristic exoskeletons and advanced combat mechanics, highlighting technological evolution in warfare.

19. Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 (2015)

Futuristic warfare in 2065, featuring cybernetics, drones, and AI. You join a black ops team to prevent a new Cold War, with a storyline involving technological threats and clandestine missions.

20. Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016)

The furthest into the future, set around 2080, humanity has expanded into space. You battle against the Settlement Defense Front, a totalitarian regime on Mars, in a sci-fi epic that pushes the series into new territory.

Playing Call of Duty by Release Date

1. Call of Duty (2003)
2. Call of Duty 2 (2005)
3. Call of Duty 3 (2006)
4. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
5. Call of Duty: World at War (2008)
6. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
7. Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
8. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)
9. Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012)
10. Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013)
11. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014)
12. Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 (2015)
13. Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016)
14. Call of Duty: WWII (2017)
15. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
16. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020)
17. Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021)
18. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)
19. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023)
20. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (2024)

What’s Next for Call of Duty?

Officially announced, Black Ops 7 is on the horizon. Revealed during the recent June Xbox Showcase, the game features Milo Ventimiglia returning as David Mason and Michael Rooker reprising his role as Mike Harper. Set in 2035, over 40 years after Black Ops 6, this installment will include co-op campaigns and new gameplay experiences. While a release date has not yet been confirmed, fans can likely expect an October or November launch, following the franchise’s usual schedule.

Axel Bosso is a freelance contributor for IGN, specializing in video game coverage and series histories. His work includes contributing to various gaming Wikis and articles over the years.