When discussing video games, Call of Duty is one of those gaming franchises that doesn’t require any introduction. Not only is it the most influential, but it is also one of the highest-grossing video game franchises.
Since its inception in 2003, it has evolved from a World War II-based first-person shooter into a global gaming phenomenon, covering modern warfare, futuristic battles, and battle royale experiences.
If you are considering playing Call of Duty and want to experience the game chronologically, this comprehensive guide is for you.
1: 2003: Call of Duty
Release date: October 29, 2003
This is its position in the first place, kickstarted the viral phenomenon of “COD” in the gaming industry. With 4.5 million in sales, the game was developed by Infinity Ward and was initially released in 2003. It came out with two modes – single and multiplayer. The highlight was the six interactive multiplayer modes in the game. The first installment’s release led to a global phenomenon wherein gamers adopted cool COD usernames for their online persona.
2: 2005: Call of Duty
Release date: October 25, 2005
With an already-established global phenomenon, the second installment of the game was also well-received. This was also the first COD game to be released on a console, aka Xbox 360. Ever since then, as the years have passed and new installments have succeeded the previous one, the game has stood out as one of the most successful game franchises on consoles.
3: 2006: Call of Duty 3
Release date: November 07, 2006
Up next on the list is the third installment in the franchise with the introduction of Treyarch. This was a big switch in the developers from Infinity Ward, who were responsible for the first two installments of the game. Given how well the game has evolved, it is safe to say that the switch to Treyarch was a pretty worthy shift.
4: 2007: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Release date: November 06, 2007
If there’s one title in the COD franchise that has truly changed the course of the game’s future, it has to be Modern Warfare. With 15.7 million in sales, this installment truly brought more fans into the game. Be it the intriguing multiplayer feature or the amazing campaign that they did, this is undoubtedly what revolutionized the COD gameplay experience.
5: 2008: Call of Duty: World at War
Release date: November 11, 2008
Following their annual release tradition, the developers launched World at War in 2008, garnering around 15.7 million in sales. This is the installment that familiarized the players to the Nazi Zombies mode, which is truly one of the most interesting additions to the whole gameplay.
6: 2009: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Release date: November 10, 2009
Following the massive success of Modern Warfare, it was a given that the developers would release a successor. Garnering 25.02 million in sales further pushed the game into the mainstream gaming world, blending intrigue, action, and entertainment – all packaged into one. If you are wondering why Call of Duty is so popular, the Modern Warfare series is undoubtedly the answer.
7: 2010: Call of Duty: Black Ops
Release date: November 09, 2010
With the consistently growing popularity of the COD franchise, the next in the series was the first Black Ops installment. This garnered 30.72 million in sales and further propelled the franchise’s success to the next level. One of the main highlights of the game was the expansion of the Zombie mode. However, the best part of the first Black Ops installment was the introduction to Frank Woods and Alex Mason.
8: 2011: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Release date: November 08, 2011
The 2011 release was the third in the Modern Warfare series and the finale. This was the conclusion that the COD gamers expected for the Modern Warfare trilogy. The multiplayer mode in the game was not only entertaining but equally addicting.
9: 2012: Call of Duty: Black Ops II
Release date: November 12, 2012
With the conclusion of the Modern Warfare series, it was a given that the players were now looking forward to something groundbreaking in the franchise. Lo and behold, the developers released the second installment of Black Ops. With 31 million in sales, this is the highest-selling COD game in the entire franchise. Beyond the multiplayer option, the Zombie expansion was truly the game’s highlight.
10: 2013: Call of Duty: Ghosts
Release date: November 05, 2013
The first standalone in the franchise, Ghosts, was a breath of fresh air for the players, introducing the players to a whole new world in the COD franchise. One of the most important elements in this particular title was the introduction to a dog named Riley, who fought valiantly, if we so say ourselves.
11: 2014: Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
Release date: November 03, 2014
With further changes in the developers, Advanced Warfare was developed by Sledgehammer Games and High Moon Studios, bringing something new to the game. Despite the dip in sales at 21.76 million, the game introduced the “jetpack” feature, taking things off the ground and into the air. This gave the gamers the leverage to take things to a whole new gameplay experience.
12: 12. 2015: Call of Duty: Black Ops III
Release date: November 06, 2015
The third installment of the Black Ops series is next on the list. Developed cumulatively by Treyarch, Beenox, and Mercenary Technology, this is the first game in the COD franchise where every character has special abilities and personalities, adding to the uniqueness of the gameplay.
13: 2016: Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
Release date: November 04, 2016
This is the first COD game set in the backdrop of space, elevating the gaming experience to a whole new level – Literally! After feedback from the players suggesting that the jetpack feature wasn’t interesting anymore, a cumulative effort from multiple developers, including Infinity Ward, Raven Software, Treyarch, etc., led to the release of Infinite Warfare.
14: 2017: Call of Duty: WWII
Release date: November 03, 2017
WWII also gained a lot of traction and popularity following the popularity of Warfare. Developed by Sledgehammer Games and Raven Software, the developers wanted to reel back in time and give the players a taste of the OG COD gameplay. The standard multiplayer experience with a grounded campaign delivered just that, if not better.
15: 2018: Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 and Blackout
Release date: October 12, 2018
If you are an active gaming enthusiast and a huge fan of the “last man standing” gameplay mode, Black Ops 4 and Blackout truly introduced that. The series took a turn for the better after a slight dip in sales in the last few releases. This was also one of the first in the COD lineup without any integrated campaign.
16: 2019: Call of Duty: Mobile
Release date: October 01, 2019
Developed by TiMi Studio Group, COD Mobile revolutionized the mobile game world, garnering 500+ million downloads and generating over $1 billion in revenue. The numbers speak for themselves, and the introduction of maps, modes, and new characters truly took things off for this particular release.
17: 2019: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Release date: October 25, 2019
Given the popularity of the Modern Warfare storyline the first time around, this surely deserved a reboot, and Infinity Ward, Raven Software, Sledgehammer Games, Beenox, and High Moon Studios came together to release it again. The main inclusion was the multiplayer mode, which was better than ever but with popular characters like Captain Price intact in the new installmen,t too.
18: 2020: Call of Duty: Warzone
Release date: March 10, 2020
A truly unexpected spring release, the 2020 COD Warzone took the niche of battle royale by storm. Since the game was released in the early days of the pandemic, it took off quite quickly, providing people with an escape from the otherwise terrifying world outside. It garnered over 100 million downloads.
19: 2020: Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
Release date: November 13, 2020
Although the March release of Warzone was unexpected, COD stuck to its annual November release with the release of Black Ops Cold War in 2020. Gaining 30 million in sales, it was a direct successor to Black Ops 1 and introduced the return of beloved characters like Frank Woods, Jason Hudson, etc.
20: 2021: Call of Duty: Vanguard
Release date: November 05, 2021
Following the success of WWII, the introduction of Vanguard was truly another much-needed inclusion. Despite the players’ expectations, this particular release didn’t manage to deliver. Many players said that it lacked the premise and innovation that they were expecting in the first place.
21: 2022: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II
Release date: October 28, 2022
Despite the dip in 2021, the COD franchise returned stronger than ever with the release of Modern Warfare II, gaining $1 billion in 10 days. Developed by Infinity Ward, this was a sequel to the 2019 Modern Warfare reboot. From Ghost to Gaz, the game reintroduced many characters that left the players on the edge. Their Special Ops mode was one of the best elements in the entire gameplay.
22: 2022: Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 and DMZ
Release date: November 16, 2022
COD Warzone 2.0 brought forth an entirely new battle royale experience and truly introduced many interactive gameplay elements. The extraction mode in DMZ was a popular addition to the gaming experience alongside different aspects like AI Mazrah, to name a few.
23: 2023: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III
Release date: November 10, 2023
Following the success of the Modern Warfare I and II reboot, the third installment in the series was well expected. The gameplay featured a battle between Task Force 141 and Vladimir Makarov, so you know that the gameplay is truly action-filled and scintillating.
24: 2024: Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile
Release date: March 21, 2024
Another sudden spring release in 2024 was the COD Warzone Mobile. Released for smartphones and tablets, the players get to traipse across the classic Verdansk map in the game but now on their mobiles. The battle pass progress aspect and the multiplayer mode in the game is truly intriguing.
25: 2024: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Release date: October 25, 2024
Developed by Treyarch and Raven Software, Black Ops 6 features a backdrop set in the 1990s and figures like Saddam Hussein and others. You also interact with recurring characters inside the game, like Frank Woods and Russell Alder, adding to the gameplay. The Zombie gameplay is truly the highlight of this game.
Final Words
With over 25 mainline games, Call of Duty continues to evolve. Whether through its gripping campaigns, innovative multiplayer, or battle royale experiences, the franchise remains at the forefront of the FPS genre. There are rumors that the sequel to Black Ops 2 will be released in 2025, followed by Modern Warfare 4 in 2026, so the COD fans have a lot to look forward to.
For the latest gaming news, follow GameWatcher on BlueSky, check out our videos on YouTube, or give us a like on Facebook. We sometimes include affiliate links in our posts, which grants us a small commission, thank you.
