Call of Duty is one of the most famous and important game franchises Since its debut in 2003, the series has been consolidated as a reference in the first person shooter (FPS), with immersive narratives, cutting -edge charts and game modes that attract millions of players around the world. More than two decades later, the franchise remains relevant, accumulating sales records, dedicated players and a constant evolution in its gameplay.
Call of Duty 's full story , from its origins to the latest titles and the numbers that have consolidated their impact on the game industry.
The beginning of Call of Duty: Realism in World War II
Call of Duty appeared on October 29, 2003, developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision . His initial focus was on the recreation of World War II , a top -exploited theme in games of the time, but that stood out for his cinematic realism .
The game brought a narrative divided into three campaigns, in which the player took the role of American, British and Soviet soldiers. This multifaceted approach was an innovation, as it had different perspectives of the conflict. In addition, the fluid gameplay and detailed graphics for the time caught the attention of criticism.
With the success of the first game, Call of Duty 2 (2005) and Call of Duty 3 (2006) expanded the concept, improving graphics, sound and overall experience. These titles helped the franchise set as one of the most important in the genus FPS .
The Revolution: Modern Warfare
The big leap for modernity occurred in 2007, with the release of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare . Abandoning historical scenarios, the game introduced a fictitious plot set into contemporary conflicts, focusing on terrorist threats and secret military operations.
Modern Warfare marked a revolution for several reasons:
- Intense and cinematic narrative , with memorable missions, such as "All Ghillied Up" and "Death From Above".
- Online Multiplayer , which brought balanced weapons and map customization systems, creating a model followed to this day by games of the genre.
The success was instantaneous, with 15 million copies sold and several awards. The impact was so great that Modern Warfare generated a subfranquia, with Modern Warfare 2 (2009), Modern Warfare 3 (2011) and a reboot started in 2019.
Black Ops and the Cold War
While Modern Warfare focused on modern conflicts, the Black Ops , released by Trayarch in 2010, brought a more conspiracy tone. Set during the Cold War , the first Black Ops plunged into secret missions, brainwashing and conspiracy theories.
Success was resounding, thanks to:
- Striking characters such as Alex Mason and Frank Woods.
- The popular zombies mode , which brought challenging maps and alternative stories.
- A robust multiplayer that introduced iconic maps like Nuketown.
Black Ops has become one of the most beloved fans subfranques, with titles such as Black Ops II (2012), Black Ops III (2015) and Black Ops 4 (2018). By 2020, Cold War brought a return to the context of the Cold War, using graphics of the new generation and integration with the popular Warzone .
Exploring the Future: Advanced Warfare and Infinite Warfare
The series was not afraid to experiment. Games like Advanced Warfare (2014) and Infinite Warfare (2016) featured futuristic scenarios, with exoskeletons, space combat and high -tech weapons.
Although these titles polarized opinions, they showed that the franchise was willing to innovate. Advanced Warfare , for example, presented Kevin Spacey as the main villain and received praise for the quality of his narrative.
Call of Duty: Warzone - The Battle Royale phenomenon
In 2020, the franchise entered the popular Battle Royale with the release of Call of Duty: Warzone , a free game to play. Set in a gigantic map called Verdansk, Warzone quickly became one of the biggest hits in the series.
- In less than a year, Warzone has accumulated 100 million players .
- The game brought an innovative resurgence system named Gulag, which gave players a second chance in the match.
- With the arrival of Warzone 2.0 , in 2022, new maps, game modes and improved graphics were added, consolidating their popularity.
Recent updates: Black Ops 6 and Modern Warfare III
The latest chapter in the series, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III , was released in November 2023, bringing a direct continuation of the history of Modern Warfare II (2022). This title stood out for:
- Introduce remastered maps of Modern Warfare 2 (2009) in multiplayer mode.
- Offer a captivating plot, centered on the pursuit of villain Vladimir Makarov.
- Open Combat mode , which allows greater freedom in campaign missions.
Already Black Ops 6 , released in 2024, brought new movement mechanics and a story that mixes historical and futuristic events. In addition, the game stood out for the return of the acclaimed Zombies mode, with maps like "Liberty Falls."
Updated numbers and impact on industry
Until 2024, the Call of Duty franchise exceeded 500 million copies sold , generating revenue of over $ 30 billion . It is the second series of most lucrative games in history, behind only Mario.
In the competitive field, Call of Duty League brings together professional players in millionaire tournaments, broadcast to millions of viewers.
The future of the Call of Duty franchise
Rumors point out that the next title in the series will be a direct sequence of Black Ops II , set in the near future, mixing modern weapons and advanced technologies. Activision is expected to continue betting on innovations to keep the franchise at the top.
Call of Duty is not just a game franchise, but a cultural phenomenon that shaped the history of video games. Whether in the fields of World War II , in modern battles or in futuristic scenarios, the series continues to evolve and attract millions of players. With constant updates and annual releases, Call of Duty's legacy seems to be just beginning.
And you, have you explored the Call of Duty battlefields?