Call of Duty is one of the game franchises most famous and important in the history of video games. Since its debut in 2003, the series has established itself as a reference in the genre of first person shooter (FPS), with immersive narratives, cutting-edge graphics 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.
In this article, you will learn the full story of Call of Duty, from its origins to the most recent titles and the numbers that consolidated its impact on the gaming industry.
The Beginning of Call of Duty: WWII Realism
Call of Duty appeared on October 29, 2003, developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision. Its initial focus was on recreating the World War II, a theme widely explored in games of the time, but which stood out for its cinematic realism.
The game featured a narrative divided into three campaigns, in which the player took on the role of American, British and Soviet soldiers. This multifaceted approach was an innovation, as it presented different perspectives of the conflict. In addition, the fluid gameplay and detailed graphics, for the time, caught the attention of critics.
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 the overall experience. These titles helped the franchise establish itself as one of the most important in the genre. FPS.
The Revolution: Modern Warfare
The great leap towards modernity occurred in 2007, with the launch of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. Abandoning historical settings, the game introduced a fictional storyline set in contemporary conflicts, focusing on terrorist threats and covert 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 progression systems, weapon customization and balanced maps, 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 spawned a sub-franchise, with Modern Warfare 2 (2009), Modern Warfare 3 (2011) and a reboot launched in 2019.
Black Ops and the Cold War
While Modern Warfare focused on modern conflicts, the series Black Ops, released by Treyarch in 2010, brought a more conspiratorial tone. Set during the Cold War, the first Black Ops delved into secret missions, brainwashing and conspiracy theories.
The success was resounding, thanks to:
- Remarkable characters, like Alex Mason and Frank Woods.
- The popular Zombies mode, which brought challenging maps and alternative stories.
- A robust multiplayer that introduced iconic maps such as Nuketown.
Black Ops has become one of the most beloved sub-franchises among fans, with titles such as Black Ops II (2012), Black Ops III (2015) and Black Ops 4 (2018). In 2020, Cold War brought a return to the Cold War context, using next-generation graphics and integration with the popular Warzone.
Exploring the Future: Advanced Warfare and Infinite Warfare
The series wasn't afraid to experiment. Games like Advanced Warfare (2014) and Infinite Warfare (2016) presented futuristic scenarios, with exoskeletons, space combat and high-tech weapons.
While these titles polarized opinions, they showed that the franchise was willing to innovate. Advanced Warfare, for example, featured Kevin Spacey as the main villain and received praise for the quality of its storytelling.
Call of Duty: Warzone – the Battle Royale phenomenon
In 2020, the franchise entered the popular genre Battle Royale with the release of Call of Duty: Warzone, a free-to-play game. Set on a gigantic map called Verdansk, Warzone quickly became one of the series' biggest hits.
- In less than a year, Warzone has accumulated 100 million players.
- The game introduced an innovative respawn system, called Gulag, which gave players a second chance at the match.
- With the arrival of Warzone 2.0, in 2022, new maps, game modes and improved graphics were added, cementing its 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 story 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 the villain Vladimir Makarov.
- Innovate with the mode Open Combat, 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 such as “Liberty Falls”.
Updated numbers and impact on the industry
By 2024, the franchise Call of Duty has surpassed 500 million copies sold, generating revenue exceeding US$ 30 billion. It is the second most profitable game series in history, behind only Mario.
In the competitive field, Call of Duty League brings together professional players in million-dollar tournaments, broadcast to millions of viewers.
The Future of the Call of Duty Franchise
Rumors suggest that the next title in the series will be a direct sequel to Black Ops II, set in the near future, mixing modern weapons and advanced technologies. Activision is expected to continue investing in innovations to keep the franchise on top.
Call of Duty is not just a game franchise, but a cultural phenomenon that has shaped the history of video games. Whether in the fields of World War II, in modern battles or in futuristic settings, the series continues to evolve and attract millions of players. With constant updates and annual releases, the Call of Duty legacy seems to be just beginning.
And you, have you explored the Call of Duty battlefields?