A cornerstone in the realm of video games, the Call of Duty franchise built a legacy that spans decades and has profoundly influenced the first-person shooter (FPS) genre. The series has explored various epochs of history, from World War II to the Cold War, and has been captivating players with intense gameplay and detailed narrative depth since its debut in 2003.
Developed by Activision, the Call of Duty series found its footing by offering players cinematic experiences set during historical events. Over time, the franchise branched out, exploring not only conventional conflicts but also speculative futuristic scenarios.
Over the years, it has even ventured into modern-day combat scenarios. With each instalment, the makers have introduced exciting new game modes, such as the popular Zombies campaign. The latest instalment, Black Ops 6, touted for a late 2024 release, is no different, as it is going to be based on the ’90s Gulf War and bring an open-world element to the franchise.
While you can always play the titles in the order of their release dates, this evolution makes it quite challenging for fans who want to explore the Call of Duty games in chronological order. Different sub-franchises can make things even more confusing for newcomers.
As of today, the Call of Duty series comprises numerous main entries and spin-offs, each contributing to a rich tapestry of interconnected stories. Hence, we try to list the Call of Duty games in chronological order, to help you navigate the franchise and trace their evolution over the years.
This comprehensive overview will serve as a reference point for both newcomers to the world of Call of Duty and veterans of the series. We will explore each major release, examining how the games have changed with technological advances and changing player expectations.
All the Call of Duty games in chronological order
To make the timeline of events easier to navigate, here we will divide the titles into three main categories, starting with the World War II era games, which lead us to the events of the Black Ops titles and Modern Warfare entries.
A list of all the Call of Duty games set in World War II
1. Call of Duty
Release year: 2003
Platforms: PC, Mac
The first game in the Call of Duty franchise was developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision. Set during World War II, this game immersed players in intense infantry combat.
Call of Duty also featured a parallel narrative that was shown from the perspective of American, British, and Soviet soldiers.
2. Call of Duty 2
Release year: 2005
Platforms: PC, Mac, Xbox 360
Launched two years later, Call of Duty 2 built upon the success of its predecessor with enhanced graphics, expansive battlefields, and improved enemy AI. It continued the World War II theme and featured campaigns set in North Africa, Normandy, and the Eastern Front.
Call of Duty 2 was also a launch title for the Xbox 360, and it helped establish its reputation as a relevant choice for the hardcore gaming crowd.
3. Call of Duty 3
Release year: 2006
Platforms: PS2, PS3, Wii, Xbox, Xbox 360
Call of Duty 3 was the first game in the series to be developed by Treyarch. It was also set in WWII, focusing on the Normandy Breakout. This game featured enhanced visuals and a much deeper multiplayer experience, foreshadowing the series’ multiplayer-focused future.
4. Call of Duty: WWII
Release year: 2017
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Following Infinite Warfare, developer Sledgehammer Games decided to take the series back to its roots. Their new game, Call of Duty: WWII, offered gamers a realistic portrayal of the Second World War, focusing on the European Theatre, and aimed to capture the emotional and physical toll it had on the soldiers. Its multiplayer and cooperative modes remained largely the same.
5. Call of Duty: Vanguard
Release year: 2021
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Call of Duty: Vanguard was developed by Sledgehammer Games and yet again returned to the series’ roots with its focus on World War II. This game aimed to provide a comprehensive visualisation of the global conflict by depicting theatres of war, including the Eastern Front, Western Front, North Africa, and the Pacific.
Every ‘CoD: Black Ops’ title set in the Cold War era
1. Call of Duty: World at War
Release year: 2008
Platforms: PC, Mac, PS2, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360, DS
Call of Duty: World at War was developed by Treyarch and returned the series to World War II, focusing on the Pacific Theatre and the Eastern Front. The game also stood out from its predecessors for its gritty realism and for introducing the popular Nazi Zombies mode to the franchise. Its campaign was praised for its historical accuracy and intense cinematic scenarios.
While World at War has World War II as its setting, the game is a prequel to Treyarch’s Black Ops series, hence, we have included it under the Black Ops series.
2. Call of Duty: Black Ops
Release year: 2010
Platforms: PC, Mac, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360, DS
Developed by Treyarch, Call of Duty: Black Ops took the series into the Cold War era, featuring a narrative mixing fiction with significant historical events. Black Ops introduced a new layer of storytelling to the series with its focus on psychological warfare and espionage.
3. Call of Duty: Black Ops II
Release year: 2012
Platforms: PC, Mac, PS3, Wii U, Xbox 360
Black Ops II is a direct sequel to the first Black Ops game, but it introduced a futuristic twist to the formula. Its narrative was set in both the late Cold War era and the near-future 2025. The game also featured branching storylines and player choices, which could alter the game’s ending. This added replay value to Black Ops II and gave depth to its single-player campaign.
4. Call of Duty: Black Ops III
Released year: 2015
Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Set in a dystopian future, Black Ops III explored the themes of cybernetics and artificial intelligence in warfare. The game offered a complex narrative with multiple endings. Its multiplayer mode introduced a new dynamic movement system and specialist characters, giving players more variety in gameplay.
5. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
Release year: 2018
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
With Black Ops 4, Treyarch took a bold step by eliminating the traditional single-player campaign and focusing entirely on multiplayer, zombies, and a new battle royale mode called Blackout. This shift was criticised by fans of the franchise; most importantly the exclusion of the campaign mode.
6. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
Release year: 2020
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
After the disaster that was Black Ops 4, Treyarch went back to the drawing table and developed the Black Ops Cold War. This game bridged the gap between Black Ops and Black Ops II, mixing historical events of the 1980s with fictional scenarios. This game combined traditional Call of Duty shooter mechanics with new espionage activities to create a thrilling narrative.
7. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Saddam Hussein confirmed to be the antagonist for Black Ops 6, look at how far we’ve come 😍 pic.twitter.com/O2fO0IDgvP
— Reality (@realityuk_) May 27, 2024
Release year: 2024
Platforms: Expected to release on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Black Ops 6 is the upcoming title developed by Treyarch. It is reportedly set during the Gulf War, and it will likely feature both traditional multiplayer and campaign modes. Some rumours suggest that Black Ops 6 will feature an open-world setting for its campaign.
The most recent leak about this game suggests that its campaign will feature the late politician Saddam Hussein as one of the antagonists.
‘Call of Duty: Modern Warfare’ series in chronological order
1. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Release year: 2007
Platforms: PC, Mac, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii
When Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was released in 2007, it marked a shift for the franchise as it moved away to a modern setting. Developed by Infinity Ward, Call of Duty 4 set new standards for the first-person shooter genre with its realistic depiction of modern warfare and gripping narrative. It also introduced customisable multiplayer load-outs, which became a series staple later.
2. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Release year: 2009
Platforms: PC, Mac, PS3, Xbox 360
Modern Warfare 2 serves as a direct sequel to 2007’s Modern Warfare. It expanded on its predecessor with a more elaborate story and refined gameplay mechanics. The campaign featured blockbuster-like high-stakes missions and introduced new iconic characters. The multiplayer game was further enhanced with new modes and customisation options. All this made it one of the most loved instalments in the franchise.
3. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Release year: 2011
Platforms: PC, Mac, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 concluded the Modern Warfare series with an epic finale. This game was developed by Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games and featured a campaign that took players throughout the globe, wrapping up the storylines of major characters. Modern Warfare 3’s multiplayer mode continued to innovate by introducing new features and gameplay mechanics.
4. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (The reboot)
Release year: 2019
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
A reboot of the Modern Warfare series, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare offered fans a fresh take on the familiar characters and settings. Infinity Ward was praised for the game’s realistic visuals, advanced physics, and mature storytelling. It addressed the complexities of contemporary warfare with a nuanced narrative, making it one of the most critically acclaimed entries in the franchise.
5. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II
Release year: 2022
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Modern Warfare II continued the rebooted storyline that started with 2019’s Modern Warfare. This game further refined the gameplay mechanics and pushed the boundaries of visuals and narrative. However, its multiplayer mode remained largely the same.
6. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III
Release year: 2023
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Modern Warfare III serves as a direct sequel to Modern Warfare II, continuing the intense narrative and action-packed gameplay that the Modern Warfare series is popular for. But it was criticised for its very short campaign. Still, the game ended up being a financial success, due to its enhanced visuals, and multiplayer experience.
Other ‘Call of Duty’ games set in the modern era, listed in order of their release
1. Call of Duty: Ghosts
Release year: 2013
Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Infinity Ward introduced Call of Duty: Ghosts next, featuring a new narrative and a fresh cast of characters. Its near-future setting showed a collapsed global superpower; the game focused on a group of elite soldiers fighting to reclaim their homeland. This game’s multiplayer was the first in the series to introduce dynamic maps.
2. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
Release year: 2014
Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Advanced Warfare was the first game in the series to be independently developed by Sledgehammer Games. It pushed the series into the future with exoskeletons and other advancements in warfare. Its narrative explored the implications of private military corporations and featured Kevin Spacey as the primary antagonist.
3. Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
Release year: 2016
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Developed by Infinity Ward, Infinite Warfare ventured into space, offering a new setting for the series. The game featured dogfighting, interplanetary travel, and zero-gravity combat, providing a unique twist on the traditional Call of Duty formula. Despite this innovative approach, Infinite Warfare received mixed reviews due to its departure from series roots.
(Hero and featured image credit: Activision Blizzard)
This article first appeared here
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Call of Duty the first game in the franchise that launched in 2003 should be played first.
There are a total of 21 mainline Call of Duty games in the series.
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Let Rohit Sejwal be your guide to the immersive world of video games. Gaming isn't just a passion for him, it has become an integral part of his lifestyle. When he is not gaming or writing about it, he can be found spending time with his dogs or watching cult movies. He has previously worked as a gaming writer for Essentially Sports and Fandom Wire.
