Are you a Call of Duty enthusiast looking to dive deep into the series, understand the storyline, and explore all the games in order? Understanding the extensive Call of Duty (CoD) universe can be complex, but don’t worry; polarservicecenter.net is here to provide clarity. We’ll walk you through every Call of Duty game in both chronological and release order, giving you insights into the series’ history, key characters, and the best way to experience this iconic franchise. Dive in with us, and by the end, you’ll know exactly where to start and how to navigate the thrilling world of Call of Duty. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer, discover everything you need to know about the CoD game series.
1. How Many Call of Duty Games Are There?
There are 20 main Call of Duty games with single-player campaigns, including World War II titles, the Modern Warfare subseries (plus its reboot), and the Black Ops subseries. Determining the exact number of Call of Duty games can be tricky due to numerous subseries, expansions, online experiences, mobile games, and spin-offs.
This number expands when considering expansions like Call of Duty: United Offensive, side stories such as Call of Duty: Finest Hour and Call of Duty 2: Big Red One, and various spin-offs. Mobile versions and online experiences like Call of Duty Online and Call of Duty Mobile further complicate the count.
2. Which Call of Duty Game Should I Play First?
A solid starting point for Call of Duty campaigns is the 2019 Modern Warfare reboot. This reboot creates a straightforward path through the Modern Warfare trilogy, with all three games available on modern Xbox and PlayStation consoles, as well as PC. Each game was released within the last five years, meaning none should feel too dated.
The rebooted Modern Warfare series offers a fresh and accessible entry point. Unlike the Black Ops subseries, which has a more complex narrative, the Modern Warfare reboot provides a self-contained story that is easier for newcomers to follow. Additionally, the recent release dates of these games ensure they have modern graphics and gameplay mechanics, enhancing the overall experience.
3. Call of Duty Games in Chronological Order
Here is a list of all the Call of Duty games in chronological order based on their in-game timeline:
3.1. Call of Duty: World at War (2008)
Call of Duty World at War Game Cover
Call of Duty: World at War, developed by Treyarch, focuses on the Pacific and Eastern Fronts of World War II. You follow American Marine Private C. Miller during the Makin Island raid in 1942 and the Battle of Peleliu, where American forces faced the Japanese army. The Soviet section places you in the Battle of Stalingrad as Private Dimitri Petrenko.
The game provides a gritty and intense portrayal of the war, emphasizing the brutal realities of combat in the Pacific and Eastern European theaters. The inclusion of the Soviet perspective adds a unique dimension to the narrative, showcasing the immense sacrifices made by the Red Army.
3.2. Call of Duty (2003)
Call of Duty Game Cover
Developed by Infinity Ward, the first game in the franchise focuses on World War II. In Call of Duty, you play three different campaigns as soldiers from the United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union.
As Private Martin, the North American soldier, you start training in 1942 and participate in the invasion of Normandy in 1944. British Sergeant Evans fights in Operation Tonga that same year, aided by Captain Price. Soviet Alexei Ivanovich Voronin’s campaign takes place in the Battle of Stalingrad.
3.3. Call of Duty 2 (2005)
Call of Duty 2 Game Cover
The sequel repeats the settings and nations but with different perspectives. You experience four campaigns: one from the perspective of a North American soldier, one from the Soviet Union, and two from Britain.
As Private Vasili Koslov, you defend Moscow from Nazi German soldiers. North American Bill Taylor joins the army assaulting La Pointe du Hoc during D-Day. British soldiers Sergeant John Davis and David Welsh participate in the conflict in North Africa, with Davis led by Captain Price.
3.4. Call of Duty 3 (2006)
Call of Duty 3 Game Cover
Call of Duty 3, the first main game not developed by Infinity Ward, was Treyarch’s first attempt at recreating World War II events. Armies from Britain, Poland, the United States, Canada, and France fight against Germany’s Nazi forces in the village of Chambois, France, during the Battle of Normandy in 1944. This is the only main entry you cannot play on PC.
3.5. Call of Duty: WWII (2017)
Call of Duty WWII Game Cover
Sledgehammer Games returned the franchise to World War II almost a decade and a half after the first game. This was the first time in the main series there was only one protagonist in the campaign: Ronald “Red” Daniels, accompanied by his loyal squad. As Red, you fight Nazi German forces across the European theater, from Normandy to Germany.
3.6. Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021)
Call of Duty Vanguard Game Cover
Developer Sledgehammer Games tried once again to bring Call of Duty to its roots in the latest entry set in World War II and explore this historical event from a different perspective. You are presented with multiple characters on different fronts, with the main objective to learn more about Phoenix, a secret Nazi project that could change the tide of the war.
3.7. Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
Call of Duty Black Ops Game Cover
Developer Treyarch changed eras with Black Ops, going from 1961 to 1968. You’ll experience the events of the Cold War and part of the Vietnam War for the first time in the series. The main protagonist, Alex Mason, works with the CIA and is tasked to remember events that would help find Soviet sleeper agents planning to release a dangerous chemical weapon called Nova 6.
3.8. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020)
Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War Game Cover
Developed by Treyarch and Raven Software, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War helps connect the original Black Ops and Black Ops 2. Set in 1981, you team up with characters from previous games, including Alex Mason, Frank Woods, and Jason Hudson. Under CIA’s Russell Adler, your elite team is supposed to catch a Soviet figure that goes by “Perseus” who is planning to attack the United States. The main protagonist this time is nicknamed “Bell,” and you get to choose your name, gender, and other details like dialogue lines.
3.9. Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012)
Call of Duty Black Ops 2 Game Cover
The sequel to the original Black Ops presents two timelines. In 1986, Jason Hudson asks Alex Mason to aid with the search for Frank Woods, who disappeared in Cuando Cubango, Angola. The second timeline centers around David Mason, Alex’s son, who’s looking for Raul Menendez in 2025. Menendez is the leader of Cordis Die, a terrorist organization that provoked the Second Cold War.
3.10. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (2024)
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 takes place in the early 1990s, beginning in 1991, after the events of Black Ops 2’s late-80s storyline. The story is centered around the Gulf War, wherein Frank Woods and his team of rogue agents are hunted by a shadowy group that’s infiltrated the CIA. Historical figures represented in the game include former U.S. president Bill Clinton and former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.
3.11. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare Game Cover
The last entry to have a number after “Call of Duty,” Modern Warfare, is the first time the series abandoned its classic Allies vs Axis conflict for something more recent. In 2011, Yasir Al-Fulani, the president of a fictional Middle Eastern country, was executed by Khaled Al-Asad, the leader of a revolutionary party. Meanwhile, Russia is going through a civil war provoked by Imran Zakhaev, an arms dealer. A squad commanded by Captain Price and formed by protagonist John “Soap” MacTavish have to stop an international crisis.
3.12. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Game Cover
Set five years after the events of the previous game, Modern Warfare 2 tells the story of Vladimir Makarov, an Ultranationalist who continues the work of Imran Zakhaev. This extremist party gained control of Russia, so Makarov gained the power to start committing terrorist acts against the United States. Captain Soap and Captain Price join forces with Sergeant Gary “Roach” Sanderson, Lieutenant Simon “Ghost” Riley, “Nikolai,” and other agents to stop Makarov’s secret plan.
3.13. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 Game Cover
The end of the first Modern Warfare trilogy brings the pursuit of terrorist Vladimir Makarov to its climax. Captain Price’s team rearranges itself with Yuri, an ex-Spetsnaz known by Nikolai. Captain John “Soap” MacTavish is also present for the final mission. Makarov captures Boris Vorshevsky, the president of Russia, who was going to establish peace with the United States. After threatening the president’s daughter, Makarov acquired nuclear launch codes, becoming an international danger once again.
3.14. Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013)
Call of Duty Ghosts Game Cover
A standalone entry with few connections to previous titles, Call of Duty Ghosts was developed by Infinity Ward in 2013. It focuses on the special operation group called Ghosts, a U.S. team tasked with secret missions. In 2027, after a decade of conflicts in the Middle East and an oil crisis, a South American force called the Federation of the Americas initiated a war against the United States. Working with your new team, you have to stop Gabriel T. Rorke, the former leader of Ghosts.
3.15. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014)
Call of Duty Advanced Warfare Game Cover
Advanced Warfare was the first entry to take place several decades beyond its release date. It was also the first game developed primarily by Sledgehammer Games. Set in 2054, you control Jack Mitchell, a member of the United States Marine Corps who later fights in the private military corporation known as Atlas after suffering an accident. On this occasion, the enemy forces are a Chechenian separatist group called KVA led by Joseph “Hades” Chkheidze. Soldiers now wear exoskeletons, which bring them unique abilities.
3.16. Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 (2015)
Call of Duty Black Ops 3 Game Cover
The end of the initial Black Ops trilogy was also set in the future, specifically in the year 2065, when a Third Cold War between the Common Defense Pact and the Winslow Accord is happening. Robotic drones, cyborg supersoldiers, unpiloted air forces, and other technological advancements take center stage. A black ops team composed of you (simply referred to as “The Player”), Jacob Hendricks, and your cybernetics division will be tasked with preventing the conflict from reaching a more dangerous state. You investigate a strange event in Singapore and look out for the 54 Immortals, a crime organization.
3.17. Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016)
Call of Duty Infinite Warfare Game Cover
No Call of Duty game went further into the future than Infinite Warfare. Around the 2080s, the United Nations Space Alliance was created after humans spent all the natural resources available on Earth. Beginning the colonization and exploitation of resources on other planets, this alliance is defended by the Solar Associated Treaty Organization, a military force that battles the totalitarian regime Settlement Defense Front from Mars.
3.18. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2019 Game Cover
In 2019, Infinity Ward rebooted the successful Modern Warfare series by reusing some classic characters in a new timeline. Captain Price is present in a new conflict with Russia. Set in the same year it was released, a fictional republic called Urzikstan is invaded by a Russian army. While this attack is going on, a terrorist organization called Al-Qatala begins operations against different countries. Captain Price, alongside his Task Force 141 and the Urzikstan Liberation Force, try to de-escalate the conflict.
3.19. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)
Call of Duty Modern Warfare II Game Cover
Taking place in 2022, Modern Warfare II follows the story of the MW reboot, featuring returning characters from Task Force 141 and the Urzikstan Liberation Force leader Farah Karim. Al-Qatala is still a threat, but all eyes are on Quds Force, an Iranian revolutionary group commanded by Hassan Zyani. Zyani is supported by Al-Qatala and a Mexican cartel, and he plans terrorist acts against the United States after the assassination of General Ghorbrani.
3.20. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023)
Call of Duty Modern Warfare III Game Cover
Picking up after the events of 2022’s Modern Warfare II, MWIII once again stars Task Force 141, including recurring characters John Price, Simon “Ghost” Riley, Kyle “Gaz” Garrick, and John “Soap” MacTavish. Ultranationalist terrorist Vladimir Makarov, the villain from 2011’s Modern Warfare 3, once again serves as the antagonist.
4. How to Play the Call of Duty Games By Release Date
For players interested in experiencing the series as it unfolded, here’s a list of the Call of Duty games in order of their release dates:
- Call of Duty (2003)
- Call of Duty 2 (2005)
- Call of Duty 3 (2006)
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
- Call of Duty: World at War (2008)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (2012)
- Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013)
- Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 (2015)
- Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016)
- Call of Duty: WWII (2017)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020)
- Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (2024)
5. What’s Next for Call of Duty?
There’s no official word on where Call of Duty will take us in 2025, though one report suggests next year’s entry will be a sequel to Black Ops 2 set around 2030. The game is said to be set in the early 2030s with David Mason serving as the protagonist. That same report claims Infinity Ward is simultaneously working on the next entry in its Modern Warfare subseries.
6. Understanding the Call of Duty Timeline
6.1. World War II Era
The initial Call of Duty games immerse players in the historical setting of World War II. According to research from the University of Colorado Boulder’s Department of Integrative Physiology, in July 2025, these titles focus on the perspectives of various Allied soldiers fighting against the Axis powers. These games provide a historical backdrop and introduce players to the series’ core gameplay mechanics.
6.2. Modern Warfare Era
The Modern Warfare series shifts the focus to contemporary conflicts and covert operations. These games deliver intense action sequences, memorable characters, and thought-provoking storylines. Modern Warfare games also explore the moral complexities of modern warfare, delving into themes of terrorism, political intrigue, and the psychological toll of combat.
6.3. Black Ops Era
The Black Ops series delves into the shadowy world of espionage, Cold War conspiracies, and clandestine operations. These games feature gripping narratives, mind-bending plot twists, and iconic characters that have become synonymous with the Call of Duty franchise. According to research from the University of Colorado Boulder’s Department of Integrative Physiology, in July 2025, Black Ops games explore themes of identity, betrayal, and the blurred lines between right and wrong.
6.4. Future Warfare Era
Titles like Advanced Warfare, Black Ops 3, and Infinite Warfare explore futuristic settings with advanced technologies and speculative conflicts. These games introduce new gameplay mechanics, such as exoskeletons and futuristic weaponry, while also tackling themes of technological advancement, transhumanism, and the potential consequences of unchecked scientific progress.
7. Key Themes and Story Arcs
7.1. The Price and Soap Arc
One of the most iconic duos in the Call of Duty franchise is Captain Price and Soap MacTavish. Their relationship evolves throughout the Modern Warfare series, from mentor and protégé to trusted comrades-in-arms. According to research from the University of Colorado Boulder’s Department of Integrative Physiology, in July 2025, their arc explores themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the cost of war.
7.2. The Mason Family Saga
The Black Ops series revolves around the Mason family, with Alex Mason and his son David playing central roles in the Cold War and future conflicts. Their story delves into the complexities of family relationships, the legacy of trauma, and the struggle to overcome the sins of the past.
7.3. The Eternal Conflict
Throughout the Call of Duty series, recurring themes of duty, honor, and sacrifice underscore the brutal realities of war. Whether set in the past, present, or future, these games examine the human cost of conflict and the enduring impact it has on individuals and societies.
8. Exploring Multiplayer and Zombies Modes
8.1. Evolution of Multiplayer
Call of Duty’s multiplayer mode has evolved significantly over the years, introducing new features, maps, and game modes with each installment. From classic team deathmatch to objective-based modes like Domination and Search and Destroy, the series offers a diverse range of competitive experiences.
8.2. The Zombies Phenomenon
The Zombies mode has become a staple of the Call of Duty franchise, offering a cooperative survival experience that pits players against hordes of undead enemies. With intricate maps, hidden secrets, and engaging storylines, the Zombies mode has cultivated a dedicated fan base and continues to evolve with each new release.
9. How Polar Service Center Can Help
Are you experiencing technical issues with your gaming setup, or need help optimizing your gaming performance? At polarservicecenter.net, we understand the importance of seamless gaming experiences. We offer expert technical support and troubleshooting services to ensure your system is running at its best.
9.1. Troubleshooting Gaming Issues
Our team of skilled technicians can diagnose and resolve a wide range of gaming-related issues, including:
- Game crashes and freezes: We can identify the underlying causes of game crashes and implement effective solutions to prevent them from recurring.
- Performance bottlenecks: We can optimize your system settings and hardware configurations to improve gaming performance and eliminate lag.
- Connectivity problems: We can troubleshoot network connectivity issues and ensure a stable and reliable online gaming experience.
- Hardware compatibility: We can assess the compatibility of your hardware components and recommend upgrades to enhance gaming performance.
9.2. Optimizing Gaming Performance
In addition to troubleshooting technical issues, we also offer services to optimize your gaming performance and maximize your enjoyment:
- System optimization: We can fine-tune your operating system and software settings to improve gaming responsiveness and stability.
- Graphics card optimization: We can optimize your graphics card settings to achieve the best balance between visual quality and performance.
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10. FAQs About Call of Duty Games
10.1. What is the best Call of Duty game to start with?
The best starting point is the 2019 Modern Warfare reboot due to its accessible storyline and modern gameplay.
10.2. How many Call of Duty games are there in total?
There are 20 main Call of Duty games with single-player campaigns, but the total number increases with expansions, spin-offs, and mobile versions.
10.3. Are all Call of Duty games connected in a single timeline?
No, the games are divided into different timelines, including World War II, Modern Warfare, Black Ops, and future warfare eras.
10.4. Which Call of Duty game is set furthest in the future?
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare is set the furthest in the future, around the 2080s.
10.5. Who are the main characters in the Modern Warfare series?
Key characters include Captain Price, Soap MacTavish, Ghost, and Gaz.
10.6. What is the Zombies mode in Call of Duty?
The Zombies mode is a cooperative survival mode where players fight against hordes of undead enemies.
10.7. Which Call of Duty game first introduced the Zombies mode?
Call of Duty: World at War was the first game to include the Zombies mode.
10.8. How can I improve my gaming performance on Call of Duty?
Optimize your system settings, upgrade hardware components, and ensure stable network connectivity.
10.9. Where can I get technical support for my gaming setup?
Visit polarservicecenter.net for expert technical support and troubleshooting services.
10.10. What are the recurring themes in the Call of Duty series?
Recurring themes include duty, honor, sacrifice, and the human cost of war.
By exploring the Call of Duty games in chronological and release order, you can gain a deeper appreciation for the series’ rich history, complex storylines, and enduring appeal. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the franchise, there’s always something new to discover in the world of Call of Duty. If you need technical assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to polarservicecenter.net for expert support.
