Call of Duty

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Call of Duty is a popular first‑person shooter video game franchise from Activision. It started in 2003 and grew into a big media series with many games, spin‑offs, and other products. Different studios take turns making the main games, including Infinity Ward, Treyarch, Sledgehammer Games, and Raven Software.

What it’s about
- The games focus on military combat, with both single‑player campaigns and multiplayer modes.
- The series includes World War II settings, modern and future warfare, and various special operations stories.
- Some games feature a zombie mode and other cooperative or competitive play.

How the series is organized
- World War II era games (early titles and World at War in 2008)
- Call of Duty (2003), Call of Duty 2 (2005), Call of Duty 3 (2006)
- Call of Duty: World at War (2008)
- Modern Warfare era (began with the 2007 game and has a reboot in 2019)
- Original: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007), Modern Warfare 2 (2009), Modern Warfare 3 (2011)
- Reboot: Modern Warfare (2019), Modern Warfare II (2022), Modern Warfare III (2023)
- Black Ops era
- Black Ops (2010), Black Ops II (2012), Black Ops III (2015), Black Ops 4 (2018)
- Black Ops Cold War (2020), Black Ops 6 (2024), Black Ops 7 (2025)
- Other main titles
- Ghosts (2013), Advanced Warfare (2014), Infinite Warfare (2016), WWII (2017), Vanguard (2021)
- Free‑to‑play and stand‑alone titles
- Call of Duty: Warzone (2020) — a free battle royale game linked to other games
- Warzone 2.0 (2022) and Warzone Mobile (2023–2024)
- Call of Duty Online (China, defunct) and Call of Duty: Mobile (2019)
- Spin‑offs and handhelds
- Various console and handheld games, some tied to specific systems or storylines

How it’s grown beyond games
- Comics, card games, action figures, and other merchandise have expanded the brand.
- Call of Duty Endowment (CODE) helps veterans find jobs and supports veterans’ organizations.
- There have been plans for live‑action films and other media since the 2010s, with various developments over the years.
- Esports is big for Call of Duty, driven by the Call of Duty League and competitive events around the world.

Why it’s notable
- The series has sold hundreds of millions of copies and is one of the most successful video game franchises ever.
- It’s known for its fast‑paced action, cinematic storytelling, and a wide range of game modes that keep players coming back.
- The franchise has had a major impact on gaming culture and competitive play, while also drawing criticism about its portrayal of war and real‑world groups.

In short, Call of Duty is a long‑running, blockbuster shooter franchise from Activision that spans many games, modes, and media, with a ongoing evolution through different developers and a huge presence in both gaming and esports.