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A shot of Vorkuta from Black Ops 6.
Image via Activision
Category:
CoD

All Call of Duty games in release order and storyline order

The long-running franchise grows every year.
Scott Duwe
 and 
Jordan Marney
|

Published: Mar 18, 2025 3:53 PM UTC

When it comes to first-person shooters, there’s no video game franchise more significant than the iconic Call of Duty series.

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The franchise stands among the biggest in the industry despite only releasing in 2003. It rivals the likes of Mario and Tetris that have been around for decades. Call of Duty has earned billions in revenue and sold hundreds of millions of copies around the globe. Excitement for the franchise never ends, with players gearing up for whatever is next in the franchise at all times.

Alongside a new game every year, the FPS franchise has had several spin-offs and re-releases, like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered and Call of Duty: Black Ops: Declassified. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the primary CoD games and mainline entries that had massive success in the gaming world, sometimes changing its landscape forever.

Here are all the Call of Duty games in the order they were released.

2003: Call of Duty

two soldiers firing with one behind the vehicle.
It all started here. Image via Activision
  • Release date: Oct. 29, 2003
  • Developer: Infinity Ward
  • Available on: PC, macOS, PS3, Xbox 360
  • Story era: World War II
  • Sales: 4.5 million

The game that started a franchise, Call of Duty was first released on PC in 2003 and featured both a single-player campaign and multiplayer. CoD featured six multiplayer modes, which for its time was substantial, compared to the modern titles which have almost doubled. It was first released on PC, Mac, and even the N-Gage handheld device.

2005: Call of Duty 2

One beret wearing soldier with a tank to his left in the desert
A favorite for many. Image via Activision
  • Release date: Oct. 25, 2003
  • Developer: Infinity Ward
  • Available on: PC, macOS, Xbox 360
  • Story era: World War II
  • Sales: 5.9 million

CoD 2003 may have been the game that started it all, but Call of Duty 2 took the game to new heights as the first title to be released on a console with the Xbox 360. Who would have thought 23 years later we would be gearing up for the release of Call of Duty Black Ops 6 with the franchise being one of the most successful in console history?

2006: Call of Duty 3

soldiers and tanks in a battlefield charging in as it rains
Treyarch’s first. Image via Activision
  • Release date: Nov. 7, 2006
  • Developer: Treyarch
  • Available on: PS2, PS3, Wii, Xbox, Xbox 360
  • Story era: World War II
  • Sales: 7.2 million

Treyarch started their journey in the Call of Duty franchise in 2006, and now, they’re preparing for the launch of Black Ops 6. And for good reason: Treyarch is considered one of the more loved developers in the CoD space and has produced just under ten titles in the franchise thus far. 

2007: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

first person in-game view of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare with 4 players and a capture point
The entry into the mainstream. Image via Activision
  • Release date: Nov. 6, 2007
  • Developer: Infinity Ward
  • Available on: PC, macOS, PS3, PS4, Wii, Xbox 360, Xbox One
  • Story era: Modern
  • Sales: 15.7 million

A title that changed the industry forever, Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare literally brought the CoD franchise years ahead of its time. CoD 4 took the franchise into the modern era, an era that has had the fans coming back for more each year. The previous titles were fun, but this one hit you in the feels with its breathtaking campaign and addictive multiplayer. CoD 4 revolutionized how multiplayer was played with the first prestige system. This system was popular back then but has not been used in a while. It’s making a return in Black Ops 6.

2008: Call of Duty: World at War

first person rifle view of Call of Duty: World at War
A return to WWII. Image via Activision
  • Release date: Nov. 11, 2008
  • Developer: Treyarch
  • Available on: PC, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360
  • Story era: World War II
  • Sales: 15.7 million

Treyarch upped its game in 2008 with World at War, introducing the highly successful Nazi Zombies mode to the series for the first time.

2009: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

a soldier with a mohawk in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Hey Soap. Image via Activision
  • Release date: Nov. 10, 2009
  • Developer: Infinity Ward
  • Available on: PC, macOS, PS3, PS4 (campaign remaster), Xbox 360, Xbox One (remaster)
  • Story era: Modern
  • Sales: 25.02 million

If CoD 4 was the series’ entry into the mainstream, then MW2 turned the franchise into an entertainment juggernaut. It sold a whopping 25 million copies, which was unheard of then. That number would only grow.

2010: Call of Duty: Black Ops

A soldier in Call of Duty: Black Ops aiming around a corner at two enemy soldiers
The numbers, Mason. Image via Activision
  • Release date: Nov. 9, 2010
  • Developer: Treyarch
  • Available on: PC, macOS, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
  • Story era: Vietnam War, 1980s
  • Sales: 30.72 million

The success continued in 2010 with the first entry in the classic Black Ops series. The Zombies mode was expanded, and the campaign introduced franchise favorite characters such as Frank Woods and Alex Mason.

2011: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

first person in-game view of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 firing your automatic weapon with a rocket overhead
World War. Image via Activision
  • Release date: Nov. 8, 2011
  • Developer: Infinity Ward
  • Available on: PC, macOS, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360
  • Story era: Modern
  • Sales: 30.71 million

The finale of the original Modern Warfare trilogy featured yet another epic campaign and addictive multiplayer.

2012: Call of Duty: Black Ops II

firs person in-game view of Call of Duty: Black Ops II while with a team and taking fire on a bridge
The best esports title? Image via Activision
  • Release date: Nov. 12, 2012
  • Developer: Treyarch
  • Available on: PC, PS3, Wii U, Xbox 360
  • Story era: Near future
  • Sales: 31 million

The highest-selling CoD to date is often regarded by many as one of the best in the series thanks to its competitive multiplayer, fun campaign, and further expansion of the Zombies universe.

2013: Call of Duty: Ghosts

first person in-game view of Call of Duty: Ghosts and aiming an automatic weapon.
A solid entry. Image via Infinity Ward
  • Release date: Nov. 5, 2013
  • Developer: Infinity Ward, Neversoft, Raven Software
  • Available on: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
  • Story era: Modern
  • Sales: 28.98 million

The thus far standalone Ghosts title brought a dog named Riley to the fight.

2014: Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

a soldier uses a riot shield as one aims up a staircase at an enemy soldier firing at them
Jetpacks, welcome. Image via Activision
  • Release date: Nov. 3, 2014
  • Developer: Sledgehammer Games, High Moon Studios
  • Available on: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
  • Story era: Future
  • Sales: 21.76 million

The first “jetpack” CoD game turned the focus of the franchise from “boots on the ground” to “flying in the air” for a few years. Exosuits allowed players to boost jump in all directions and jump high in the air, changing the gameplay significantly. It was also Sledgehammer Games’ first work in the series.

2015: Call of Duty: Black Ops III

first person in-game view of Call of Duty: Black Ops III wielding a heavy weapon and joystick
Specialists arrive. Image via Activision
  • Release date: Nov. 6, 2015
  • Developer: Treyarch, Beenox, Mercenary Technology
  • Available on: PC, macOS, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
  • Story era: Future
  • Sales: 26.72 million

BO3 introduced specialists to the series for the first time. Each character had their own unique set of abilities and personalities.

2016: Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare

a full squad interacting in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
I’m in space. Image via Activision
  • Release date: Nov. 4, 2016
  • Developer: Infinity Ward, Raven Software, Treyarch, High Moon Studios, Beenox, Vicarious Visions
  • Available on: PC, PS4, Xbox One
  • Story era: Future
  • Sales: 13.6 million

Infinity Ward brought the fight to space in 2016, and many gamers felt the “jetpack” gameplay style was wearing thin. Activision heard the cries, and the next CoD brought the fight back to Earth again.

2017: Call of Duty: WWII

Call of Duty: WWII promo image of two soldiers hunkered down behind cover readying to fire
Another WWII return. Image via Activision
  • Release date: Nov. 3, 2017
  • Developer: Sledgehammer Games, Raven Software
  • Available on: PC, PS4, Xbox One
  • Story era: World War II
  • Sales: 19.82 million

WWII returned the franchise to its roots with a grounded campaign and multiplayer experience.

2018: Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 and Blackout

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 in-game first person view aiming at an ATV
CoD’s first BR. Image via Activision
  • Release date: Oct. 12, 2018
  • Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software, Beenox
  • Available on: PC, PS4, Xbox One
  • Story era: Future
  • Sales: 14.3 million

CoD’s first foray into battle royale launched alongside BO4. Blackout showed Activision the world’s thirst for the last-man-standing mode, and it began a massive turnaround for the series. This was also the first entry in the series to avoid having a campaign.

2019: Call of Duty: Mobile

Call of Duty: Mobile promo image with helicopters flying in the background and a squad of five members charging into battle
You guys have phones, don’t you? Image via Activision
  • Release date: Oct. 1, 2019
  • Developer: TiMi Studio Group
  • Available on: Android and iOS
  • Story era: Various
  • Sales: 500 million-plus downloads, over $1 billion in revenue

Smartphone gamers everywhere have loved CoD: Mobile and its “greatest hits” theme. The game features modes, maps, characters, and weapons across the franchise.

2019: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare promo image with two men shooting at each other in a destroyed warzone
A reboot. Image via Activision
  • Release date: Oct. 25, 2019
  • Developer: Infinity Ward, Raven Software, Sledgehammer Games, Beenox, High Moon Studios
  • Available on: PC, PS4, Xbox One
  • Story era: Modern
  • Sales: 30 million

Infinity Ward rebooted the MW storyline with some new characters while returning ones like Captain Price and more. The gritty campaign was supplemented by addictive multiplayer, but the big kid on the block was just around the corner.

2020: Call of Duty: Warzone

Call of Duty: Warzone promo image of a man aiming his scoped assault rifle
The big one. Image via Activision
  • Release date: March 10, 2020
  • Developer: Infinity Ward, Raven Software, Treyarch, Sledgehammer Games, Beenox, High Moon Studios, Activision Shanghai, Toys For Bob
  • Available on: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
  • Story era: Various
  • Sales: Over 100 million downloads

Warzone shook up the battle royale landscape and gaming everywhere when it was released at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, giving players worldwide an escape into Verdansk with one of the most successful BR games released thus far. It’s become a flagship in the series, with future games tied into it, with live events and constant content updates to follow.

2020: Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War promo image of a man rearing up to shoot his heavy weapon
Mason and Woods return. Image via Activision
  • Release date: Nov. 13, 2020
  • Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software, Sledgehammer Games, Beenox, High Moon Studios, Activision Shanghai, Demonware
  • Available on: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
  • Story era: 1980s and 1990s
  • Sales: 30 million

A direct sequel to Black Ops 1, Black Ops Cold War saw the return of characters like Frank Woods, Alex Mason, and Jason Hudson in the 1980s.

2021: Call of Duty: Vanguard

an armed woman aiming her rifle in Call of Duty: Vanguard
The third WWII return. Image via Activision
  • Release date: Nov. 5, 2021
  • Developer: Sledgehammer Games, Treyarch, Raven Software, Beenox, High Moon Studios, Activision Shanghai, Demonware
  • Available on: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
  • Story era: World War II
  • Sales: Unknown, but lower than expected

The franchise returned to World War II once more in 2021. Activision Blizzard has not released the sales numbers for Vanguard, but the company publicly acknowledged that the game did not meet expectations for sales. It attributed this to the WWII setting and a need for more innovation in the premium release.

2022: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 cover image
Ghost is back. Image via Activision
  • Release date: Oct. 28, 2022
  • Developer: Infinity Ward
  • Available on: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
  • Story era: Modern
  • Sales: $1 billion within 10 days

MW2 is a direct sequel to the rebooted Modern Warfare from 2019, and it is Infinity Ward’s first main series release since, not including Warzone. The campaign sees the return of Captain John Price, Sergeant Kyle “Gaz” Garrick, Simon “Ghost” Riley, and John “Soap” MacTavish. Infinity Ward also introduced a revamped Gunsmith and AI systems for its co-op mode, Special Ops, and extensive seasonal updates.

2022: Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 and DMZ

Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 and MW promo image featuring two armed soldiers in a desert
The open world is yours to explore. Image via Activision
  • Release date: Nov. 16, 2022
  • Developers: Infinity Ward, Raven Software, others
  • Available on: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
  • Story era: Modern, various
  • Sales: Unknown

The first substantial update in MW2 introduced the new battle royale experience, Warzone 2.0, and the Escape from Tarkov-like extraction mode DMZ. The unique experience added a new map, Al Mazrah, and changes to the Warzone formula.

2023: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

Captain Price on MW3 Main Announcement Header
Keeping it modern. Image via Activision
  • Release date: Nov. 10, 2023
  • Developers: Sledgehammer Games, more
  • Available on: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
  • Story era: Modern
  • Sales: TBD

What comes after two? Three, of course. (Somebody tell Valve.) The second MW3 on this list was announced and confirmed on Aug. 7, 2023, with a Nov. 10, 2023 release. It’s a direct sequel to MW2 and features Task Force 141 against the famous villain from the original game, Vladimir Makarov.

It also contains all of the maps and weapons from MW2 the year prior, making it one of the largest multiplayer offerings in CoD history. Couple that with zombies mode and a new Warzone experience after launch, and MW3 had some of the most robust content offerings in the series.

2024: Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile

Warzone Mobile screenshot of operators running through the battlefield
Image via Activision
  • Release date: March 21, 2024
  • Developers: Activision Shanghai, Beenox, Digital Legends Entertainment, Solid State Studios
  • Available on: Android and iOS
  • Story era: Modern
  • Sales: TBD

Warzone for phones and tablets dropped in March 2024, offering the classic Verdansk map and integration between other CoD titles such as player level and battle pass progress, along with classic maps for quick multiplayer games while on the go.

2024: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

cod black ops 6 operators
Zombies time! Image via Activision
  • Release date: Oct. 25, 2024
  • Developers: Treyarch, Raven Software
  • Available on: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S
  • Story era: 1990s, Gulf War era
  • Sales: TBA

Black Ops 6 launched for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC on Oct. 25, 2024. The game features a 1990s setting and real world figures like Saddam Hussein and others, with returning characters like Frank Woods and Russell Adler in the forefront.

The 2024 Call of Duty game also features the return of round-based Zombies gameplay, including several new maps, such as Terminus, Liberty Falls, and Citadelle des Morts, offering a fun return to form for the co-op mode.

Along with new “omnimovement” in multiplayer that lets players sprint or dive in any direction to revolutionize how the game feels to play, BO6’s multiplayer has also been found enjoyable by most players.

Black Ops 6 also brought back the classic Prestige system, a fan favorite, after several years of the series deploying a “seasonal” Prestige model. BO6 has its weapons and operators integrated into Warzone, along with a new map, called Area 99.

2025: Black Ops 2 sequel (rumored)

Rumors, speculation, and leaks point to 2025 being another Black Ops sequel, similar to how MWII in 2022 was followed up by MWIII in 2023. This one reportedly follows the events of 2012’s Black Ops 2.

2026: Modern Warfare 4 (rumored)

More leaks and speculation suggest a return to the MW franchise in 2026 with MW4, Infinity Ward taking the helm again and possibly bringing back an old signature gameplay mechanic.

All Call of Duty games in storyline order

close up shot of ghost in modern warfare 2 remastered
It’s a confusing one. Image via Activision

CoD’s overarching story timeline has gotten to be a bit of a mess over the years, with several different timelines, reboots, canon and non-canon events, and more. Warzone, for example, has taken place across different series and eras, so it’s hard to pinpoint everything in there.

But here’s when all of the campaign and relevant story information takes place in every mainline entry.

  • 1940-1945: Call of Duty: WWII
  • 1941-1945: Call of Duty 2
  • 1941-1945: Call of Duty: Vanguard
  • 1942-1945: Call of Duty: World at War
  • 1942-1945: Call of Duty
  • 1944: Call of Duty 3
  • 1961-1968: Call of Duty: Black Ops
  • 1981: Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
  • 1986-1989: Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (Alex Mason flashback missions)
  • 1991: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
  • 1996-2011: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
  • 1999-2019: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
  • 2016: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
  • 2016-2017: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
  • 2022: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)
  • 2019-2023: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023)
  • 2015-2027: Call of Duty: Ghosts
  • 2025: Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (David Mason missions)
  • 2043: Call of Duty: Black Ops 4
  • 2054-2061: Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
  • 2065-2070: Call of Duty: Black Ops 3
  • Unknown future: Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare

This article will be updated with new CoD entries and information whenever necessary.

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Author
Image of Scott Duwe
Scott Duwe
Senior Staff Writer
Senior Staff Writer & Call of Duty lead. Professional writer for over 10 years. Lover of all things Marvel, Destiny 2, Metal Gear, Final Fantasy, Resident Evil, and more. Previous bylines include PC Gamer, Red Bull Esports, Fanbyte, and Esports Nation. DogDad to corgis Yogi and Mickey, sports fan (NY Yankees, NY Jets, NY Rangers, NY Knicks), Paramore fanatic, cardio enthusiast.
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Author
Image of Jordan Marney
Jordan Marney
Freelance writer covering League of Legends, VALORANT, and more. Over five years in the industry with one of my biggest highlights getting to interview Faker at the 2022 LoL World Championship. You can reach out to me via X.
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