Call of Duty, a first-person shooter video game franchise, has evolved from focusing on World War II themes to a mixture of modern and futuristic warfare. The franchise has also diversified its gameplay with remastered versions of classic games. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, the latest release, features a new single player campaign that follows CIA operative Russell Adler as he tracks down a Soviet spy during the Cold War. Cross-platform compatible, the game allows players on different consoles and PC to play together. While not all changes have been met with positive reception, the franchise continues to innovate.

The Evolution of the Call of Duty Franchise: From WWII to Black Ops Cold War

Call of Duty is a first person shooter video game franchise that has been around for almost two decades. Since its launch in October 2003, the franchise has evolved and diversified its gameplay from focusing on a single theme of a World War II shooter to a mix of modern warfare, futuristic warfare, and a return to its roots with remastered versions of classic games. In this article, we will explore the major events and changes in the Call of Duty franchise starting from its inception and going all the way to the current release of Black Ops Cold War.

The Beginning: Call of Duty (2003)

The first game in the Call of Duty franchise, simply titled “Call of Duty”, was released in 2003. Developed by Infinity Ward, the game was set during World War II and focused on the Allied forces’ fight against Nazi Germany. The game featured a single player campaign that followed the stories of soldiers from different countries and factions including the U.S. 101st Airborne Division, the British Special Air Service, and the Red Army. The game also included a multiplayer mode that allowed players to compete against each other online or locally in split-screen mode.

A New Era: Modern Warfare (2007)

Infinity Ward’s next game in the series, “Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare”, broke away from the World War II theme and set the game in modern times. The game featured a single player campaign that followed the story of self-proclaimed superpower Russia’s attempt to invade the Middle East and a group of U.S. Marines tasked with stopping them. The game also included a multiplayer mode that introduced the popular and now iconic “create-a-class” system.

Expanding the Franchise: Black Ops (2010)

Treyarch, another developer under the Activision umbrella, took over the reins of the Call of Duty franchise and released “Call of Duty: Black Ops” in 2010. The game featured a single player campaign that delved into the Cold War era of the 1960s and included famous historical figures such as John F. Kennedy and Fidel Castro. The game also introduced the popular Zombies mode, which tasks players with surviving waves of zombies and has become a staple in the franchise.

The Future is Now: Advanced Warfare (2014)

Sledgehammer Games, a new developer in the Call of Duty franchise, released “Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare” in 2014. The game broke away even further from realism and introduced futuristic elements such as exoskeleton suits, jetpacks, and directed energy weapons. The game also introduced the “Supply Drop” system, which allowed players to earn or purchase randomized loot boxes that contained cosmetic items or even weapons. This system was met with mixed reception from the community and has since been implemented in newer Call of Duty games.

The Return to its Roots: WWII (2017)

In 2017, Sledgehammer Games returned to the World War II theme with “Call of Duty: WWII”. The game featured a single player campaign that followed a U.S. Army private named Ronald “Red” Daniels and his squad as they fought for the liberation of Europe from Nazi Germany. The game also included a revamped multiplayer mode that included new modes such as War and Gridiron, as well as a return to boots-on-the-ground gameplay.

Black Ops Returns: Black Ops 4 (2018)

In 2018, Treyarch returned to the Black Ops series with “Call of Duty: Black Ops 4”. The game broke away from traditional single player campaigns and instead focused on multiplayer modes such as the iconic Zombies mode, a battle royale mode called “Blackout”, and a revamped version of the classic multiplayer mode. The game also introduced specialist characters with unique abilities that could be customized with “Gear” items earned in loot boxes. This system was met with mixed reception from the community similar to the “Supply Drop” system.

Stepping Back in Time: Modern Warfare Remastered (2019)

In 2019, Infinity Ward released a remastered version of the classic “Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare”. The game featured upgraded graphics and sound, as well as new features such as the inclusion of the multiplayer maps from the original game’s DLC. This gave players a chance to experience the classic game with a fresh coat of paint and to introduce the game to new players who may not have experienced it when it first released.

A New Cold War: Black Ops Cold War (2020)

The latest release in the Call of Duty franchise is “Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War”, released in November 2020. The game features a new single player campaign that follows CIA operative Russell Adler as he tracks down a Soviet spy codenamed “Perseus” during the height of the Cold War. The game also includes a multiplayer mode that introduces new maps, modes, and features such as the return of the “Scorestreak” system and a new game mode called “Fireteam”. The game is also cross-platform compatible, allowing players on different consoles and PC to play together.

Conclusion

The Call of Duty franchise has come a long way since its inception in 2003. From its humble beginnings as a World War II shooter to its current state with Black Ops Cold War, the franchise has diversified its gameplay and themes to appeal to a wider audience. While not all changes and additions to the franchise have been met with positive reception from the community, the franchise continues to innovate and find ways to stay relevant in the constantly evolving gaming industry.