The Call of Duty franchise has evolved its multiplayer gameplay over the past two decades to keep up with the changing gaming industry. While the first game’s multiplayer mode was basic compared to what modern games offer, the second game introduced a new ranking system and customizable loadouts. The fourth game, Modern Warfare, marked a turning point for the franchise, introducing perks, killstreaks, and weapon attachments, and World at War added a cooperative mode, new game modes, and supported up to 24 players. In the latest release, Black Ops Cold War, there are new characters, modes, and improved graphics and sound to enhance the multiplayer experience. Overall, Call of Duty has consistently set new standards for the industry in terms of customization, ranking, and gameplay mechanics.

The Evolution of Multiplayer in Call of Duty Games

Call of Duty is a first-person shooter franchise that has been around for almost two decades now. Over the years, the game has evolved in terms of gameplay, graphics, and multiplayer features to keep up with the changing landscape of the gaming industry. In this article, we will take a look at the evolution of multiplayer in Call of Duty games.

Call of Duty (2003)

The first Call of Duty game was released in 2003, and while it had a multiplayer component, it was quite basic compared to what we see in modern-day multiplayer games. The multiplayer mode had only a few maps, limited customization options, and supported only up to 32 players.

Call of Duty 2 (2005)

The second game in the franchise marked a major leap in terms of multiplayer features. The game introduced a new ranking system that allowed players to progress through levels by earning XP. It also introduced the ability to create custom loadouts, which greatly improved the multiplayer experience. Call of Duty 2 also supported 64 players in multiplayer matches, which was double the number of players supported in the previous game.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare marked a major turning point for the franchise. The game introduced a completely new level of multiplayer experience that has now become a standard in the FPS genre. The game introduced perks, killstreaks, and weapon attachments, which greatly improved the customization options in the game. The ranking system was also overhauled to allow players to progress through levels much faster. In addition, the game supported up to 18 players in multiplayer matches, which was the highest number at the time.

Call of Duty: World at War (2008)

Call of Duty: World at War was a spiritual successor to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. The game continued the trend of introducing new features to the multiplayer component of the game. The game added a co-op mode, which allowed players to team up and complete missions together. The game also introduced new game modes like War and Zombies, which added more variety to the game. World at War also supported up to 24 players in multiplayer matches.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was a highly anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. The game took the multiplayer experience to new heights by introducing new features like the Tactical Nuke killstreak and the ability to customize killstreaks. The game also supported up to 18 players in multiplayer matches, but it introduced new game modes like Team Deathmatch and Kill Confirmed, which have become staples in the franchise.

Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)

Call of Duty: Black Ops marked a major milestone in the franchise. The game introduced a completely new level of customization options, including the ability to create emblems and custom game modes. The game also added a new feature called Theater Mode, which allowed players to record and edit gameplay footage. Black Ops also introduced new game modes like Gun Game and Sticks and Stones, which have become loved by fans for their unique gameplay. The game supported up to 18 players in multiplayer matches.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 was the third game in the Modern Warfare series and continued the trend of introducing new multiplayer features. The game introduced new game modes like Infected and Drop Zone, which added more variety to the game. The game also introduced new prestige levels, which allowed players to progress beyond the traditional level cap. Modern Warfare 3 also supported up to 18 players in multiplayer matches.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012)

Call of Duty: Black Ops II was the first game in the series to introduce branching storylines in the single-player campaign. It also introduced a new feature called League Play, which allowed players to compete in online tournaments. The game also added new game modes like Hardpoint and Multi-Team, which added even more variety to the game. The game supported up to 18 players in multiplayer matches.

Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013)

Call of Duty: Ghosts marked the start of a new era for the franchise. The game introduced new mechanics like dynamic maps and Character Customization, which allowed players to create their own unique soldiers. The game also introduced a new game mode called Squads, which allowed players to create their own AI-controlled team. Ghosts supported up to 12 players in multiplayer matches, which was a decrease compared to previous games.

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014)

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare was a major departure from the traditional Call of Duty formula. The game introduced high-tech gadgets like exoskeletons and jetpacks, which greatly improved the mobility of players. The game also introduced new game modes like Uplink and Momentum, which added even more variety to the game. Advanced Warfare supported up to 12 players in multiplayer matches.

Call of Duty: Black Ops III (2015)

Call of Duty: Black Ops III was the third game in the Black Ops series and introduced a new movement system that allowed players to wall run and boost jump. The game also introduced Specialists, which were unique characters with their own special abilities. Black Ops III also introduced new game modes like the highly popular Zombies Chronicles and the return of Hardpoint. The game supported up to 18 players in multiplayer matches.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016)

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare was set in space and featured futuristic weapons and gadgets. The game introduced a new game mode called War, which had players completing objectives in a linear fashion. The game also introduced new modes like Defender and Frontline, which added more variety to the game. Infinite Warfare supported up to 12 players in multiplayer matches.

Call of Duty: WWII (2017)

Call of Duty: WWII was a return to the franchise’s roots. The game’s multiplayer component was set during World War II and featured classic weaponry and vehicles. The game introduced new game modes like War and Gridiron, which added more variety to the game. WWII also introduced Divisions, which allowed players to specialize in specific roles. The game supported up to 18 players in multiplayer matches.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (2018)

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 was a major departure for the franchise. The game was the first Call of Duty game to not feature a single-player campaign. Instead, the game focused entirely on multiplayer content. Black Ops 4 introduced new Specialists, which were unique characters with their own abilities. The game also introduced new game modes like Heist and Control, which added more variety to the game. Black Ops 4 supported up to 100 players in the battle royale mode, Blackout.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare marked a return to the Modern Warfare series. The game introduced a new engine and realistic graphics. The multiplayer component was overhauled and introduced new features like Gunfight, a 2v2 mode, and the return of Spec Ops mode. The game introduced a new Ranking System and Battle Pass progression system, which allowed players to earn rewards as they leveled up. Modern Warfare also saw the addition of larger player counts in Ground War and Warzone modes.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020)

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War takes place during the Cold War era and features classic Black Ops features like Zombies mode. The game also introduces new modes like the 40-player Fireteam mode and VIP Escort mode. The game introduces new characters like Adler and Bell, who are part of a new campaign experience that has been revamped. Black Ops Cold War features improved graphics and sound to immerse players in the thrilling multiplayer experience offered.

Conclusion

Over the course of almost two decades, the Call of Duty franchise has pushed the limits of what is possible in multiplayer gaming. The series has introduced new gameplay mechanics, customization options, modes, and ranking systems, each time setting a new standard for the industry. With the release of Black Ops Cold War, the franchise continues to evolve and push the boundaries of what a multiplayer game can be. We cannot wait to see what the future of the franchise holds for us.