In its latest chapter, Call of Duty delves into the later stages of the Cold War, exploring elements leading up to the Gulf War.

Set to launch on Friday for Microsoft and Sony consoles, as well as PCs, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (rated Mature for ages 17 and older) pursues a complex storyline filled with conspiracy threads that ties back to the Black Ops series, which initially debuted in 2010.

The single-player campaign features beloved characters Frank Woods and Russell Adler, as they discover they’ve been abandoned by the CIA and are now on the run from a “shadowy clandestine force” that has infiltrated their agency, as detailed in a preview on the official Call of Duty site.

‘Black Ops 6’ Launch Introduces New Features to the Renowned Franchise

Treyarch, the leading studio behind the development, had an exceptional four years to create this installment, aided by Raven Software.

This extended development time contributed to enhancing visuals and incorporated fresh gameplay mechanics, such as allowing characters to run, dive, and slide in various directions—in contrast to the previous limited movement options. Players can now rotate 360 degrees across all game modes, including campaign, multiplayer, Zombies, and Call of Duty: Warzone. An additional upgrade is the introduction of intelligent movement, which offers players the ability to personalize their actions like running and crouching.

This newest installment follows the significant milestone of Activision celebrating the 20th anniversary of the franchise last October with the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III.

Since its inception, Call of Duty has been a major blockbuster, releasing an annual installment since 2003. The early games focused on World War II and were originally available on Windows PCs.

The game designers have continually adapted the series, expanding it to consoles, transitioning to 24/7 online multiplayer, and even moving to mobile platforms. The settings have shifted from the Vietnam War to contemporary times and ventured into futuristic and space environments.

Timeframes for Each Main Call of Duty Game

“We’ve produced numerous fantastic games, each marking significant moments for us,” stated Rob Kostich, president of Activision Publishing. “Yet, it has consistently maintained its relevance in culture.”

Call of Duty has been the top-selling video game franchise in the U.S. for 15 years running since the 2009 launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, according to Circana Retail Tracking Service. The lone exceptions in that time frame for not having the best-selling title were in 2013 with Grand Theft Auto V, 2018 with Red Dead Redemption II, and in 2024 with Hogwarts Legacy.

Activision Blizzard has sold over 400 million copies of Call of Duty games throughout its run. Millions actively engage with the yearly releases, which have evolved to include not just single-player campaigns but also online multiplayer and cooperative options.

Call of Duty’s impact reaches even further: its free-to-play version, Call of Duty Mobile, launched in 2019, has achieved more than 500 million downloads, while Call of Duty: Warzone, also free-to-play and released in 2020, now boasts over 100 million players, with a mobile variant launched in 2024.

Release Dates for Each Call of Duty Game

The Call of Duty series originated when a group of developers from the 2002 PC game Medal of Honor: Allied Assault departed their studio, 2015 Inc., to establish Infinity Ward. This LA-area development team created two World War II-themed games, including Call of Duty 2, which featured a mission inspired by the D-Day invasion—mirroring the Normandy assault depicted in “Saving Private Ryan,” a film directed by Steven Spielberg, who also played a role in developing the earlier Medal of Honor games.

“We aimed to replicate the chaotic and tense atmosphere experienced by the individuals on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944,” shared Dale Dye, a retired U.S. Marine Corps captain and consultant for the Medal of Honor games, in 2002. “Our objective is to help players gain some understanding and appreciation for a soldier’s battlefield reality,” he remarked. Dye has also consulted for films such as “Saving Private Ryan,” “Band of Brothers,” and “Platoon.”

Here’s a glimpse into the Call of Duty series’ journey over the years:

Call of Duty (2003)

In this game, players fought alongside U.S., British, and Soviet troops through iconic World War II battles such as the Battle of Stalingrad and the Battle of the Bulge. This title won the 2003 Game of the Year award from the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, akin to the Oscars in the gaming world.

Call of Duty: Finest Hour (2004)

This game, designed for the GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox, builds on the original Call of Duty PC release and features fresh missions set in North Africa and Germany. Players even have the chance to drive tanks, and the iconic AC/DC frontman, Brian Johnson, lends his voice to one of the characters.

Call of Duty 2 (2005)

A launch title for the Xbox 360 from Microsoft, this game first arrived on Windows PCs, putting players in crucial moments during D-Day while trying to capture Pointe du Hoc, a German stronghold located between Omaha and Utah beaches. Enhanced hardware in both PCs and the Xbox 360 enabled developers to create more intelligent allies and adversaries. “You can actually hear where (enemy and allied soldiers) are on the battlefield,” stated Vince Zampella, then Infinity Ward’s chief creative officer. “To your left, you will hear them shouting, ‘There are enemies on your right-hand side, second window! They have a machine gun,’ or ‘We are under fire!'”

Call of Duty 2: Big Red One (2005)

Players on GameCube, PlayStation 2, and Xbox could join in this extra World War II storyline as part of the renowned 1st Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. This installment introduced aerial combat, which became a staple in later games. Mark Hamill provided voiceover work, along with several actors from HBO’s “Band of Brothers,” who voiced different characters.

Call of Duty 3 (2006)

Created by Treyarch, another game development studio under Activision like Infinity Ward, this game utilized digitally scanned actors and uniforms combined with extensive motion-capture sessions. Veterans from World War II contributed their experiences. New features were designed to replicate “what happens in a real fight,” according to retired Army Lt. Col. Hank Keirsey, who advised on this and several other Call of Duty titles.

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)

The first title in the Call of Duty franchise to move away from World War II, venturing into contemporary geopolitical scenarios filled with nuclear arms, an anti-U.S. warlord from the Middle East, and a Russian ultranationalist terrorist. The multiplayer mode set a new standard, making Call of Duty a favorite among online gamers. This game, alongside Call of Duty 2, is regarded as one of the best video games of all time.

Call of Duty: World at War (2008)

Voices of actors Kiefer Sutherland and Gary Oldman brought life to characters in this World War II-themed game that spanned the Pacific and Eastern fronts, including battles in Russia and Germany. World at War was also notable for introducing a completely separate mode featuring zombie combat. Additionally, Call of Duty: World at War – Final Fronts was released in 2008, serving as a counterpart to World at War and being the final Call of Duty title for the PlayStation 2.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)

This sequel continued the narrative involving ultranationalist Russians from 2007’s Modern Warfare and included a controversial terrorist attack scene. It aimed to depict the grim realities of modern warfare, emphasizing “violence against citizens,” according to writer and executive producer Jesse Stern, who collaborated with Infinity Ward. The game made over $1 billion in sales, surpassing the box office takings of the biggest movies.

Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)

The inaugural Black Ops title was set during the Cold War, featuring action in locations like Cuba, Russia, and Vietnam. The game featured voices from Ed Harris, Gary Oldman, Ice Cube, and Sam Worthington, with screenplay contributions from David Goyer, known for writing “The Dark Knight.” At its release, it quickly became the best-selling video game ever, with over 25 million copies sold.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)

Closing out a trilogy that began five years prior, this installment depicted a Russian invasion of the U.S. Players engage in combat across Wall Street to take down a radar jamming tower. “You will feel the impact of battling through New York,” said Robert Bowling, Infinity Ward’s creative strategist. Tensions arose behind the scenes when Activision dismissed Infinity Ward co-founders Vince Zampella and Jason West, leading to a lawsuit that was resolved in 2012, allowing them to establish a new studio, Respawn Entertainment, responsible for the Titanfall series.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012)

This title not only continued the storyline from Black Ops but also ventured into the future featuring advanced technology like armed drones and offering multiple endings. Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails created the game’s theme song, and players had the option to stream their gameplay on YouTube.

Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013)

As the first stand-alone entry in several years, Ghosts is set in a near-future scenario, featuring a space battle reminiscent of “Moonraker,” an underwater mission, and an experience played from the perspective of a military-trained German shepherd named “Riley.” A new feature allowed for the creation of female soldiers in multiplayer modes. This game marked the series’ debut on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014)

Set 40 years in the future, this game starred Kevin Spacey as the leader of a private military corporation with expansionist goals. Players wear exoskeletons, granting them enhanced jumping and hovering abilities. This was the first entry developed by Sledgehammer Games, who had previously worked on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, with writer and producer Mark Boal contributing to the story.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 (2015)

Continuing from Black Ops 2, this game progresses into the year 2065, featuring a separate futuristic narrative from Advanced Warfare, where super-soldiers have enhanced body parts and integrated data ports for connectivity to networks. The game permits cooperative play for up to four players, helping novices improve their gameplay experience. For seven consecutive years, Call of Duty topped the sales charts as the leading video game in the U.S.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016)

With a focus on future warfare, this title features actor Kit Harington (“Game of Thrones”) as the antagonist aiming to annihilate Earth. Much of the gameplay occurs in space, featuring starship battles reminiscent of “Star Trek” and “Star Wars.” This setting allowed for innovative gameplay elements like Zero-G combat and space dogfighting,” noted then-Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg.

Call of Duty: WWII (2017)

This installment marked the franchise’s return to World War II after nearly ten years. Actor Josh Duhamel, known for his role in “Transformers,” contributed his likeness, voice, and motion capture for one of the game’s leading characters. Players assist the Allies in advancing through Normandy, engage in tank battles, and venture into occupied territories in France and Germany.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (2018)

This edition was notable for excluding a single-player campaign; instead, it focused on online multiplayer gameplay, introducing “Blackout,” its unique version of the increasingly popular “battle royale” genre, similar to “Fortnite.”

Call of Duty: Mobile (2019)

A free-to-play title on Android and iOS, this game featured a battle royale mode accommodating up to 100 players. It also included classic multiplayer modes such as Team Deathmatch, Search and Destroy, and Domination, set on iconic maps drawn from previous games.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)

This contemporary game utilized 3D photogrammetry to create realistic environments. It reintroduced characters from the 2007 “Modern Warfare.” Activision Publishing CEO Rob Kostich remarked on the desire to reboot the franchise with beloved characters, aiming to explore fresh narratives in a modern setting. Players also control a female Middle Eastern freedom fighter during part of the gameplay.

Call of Duty: Warzone (2020)

This free-to-play title aimed to compete with “Fortnite,” featuring cross-play functionality for consoles and PCs, allowing up to 150 participants in its Battle Royale Mode. The game rapidly amassed 100 million players and continues to receive regular updates.

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020)

The storyline revolves around the Russian theft of a U.S. nuclear weapon in 1968, an event that resurfaces to trouble the Reagan Administration. Players also encounter familiar faces from earlier Black Ops games. The game is available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S.

Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021)

This World War II-themed game follows four distinct characters, including one inspired by Ludmila Pavlichenko, a legendary female sniper from Russia known as “Lady Death.” Players face powerful new enemies called jagermorders, elite soldiers sent to stop them.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)

This sequel to the 2019 “Modern Warfare” reboot continues the saga of Task Force 141 as they confront terrorist threats. Players must tackle diverse challenges, including guiding missiles to targets, disarming threats, and providing air support, while at one stage they must stealthily escape after being injured and unarmed.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023)

Set to release on November 10, this title marks a milestone as it carries the narrative forward from “Modern Warfare II” for the first time in consecutive years. Activision CEO Rob Kostich stated, “This is a first for us,” likening it to similar storytelling seen in cinematic franchises like “The Avengers.”

Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile (2024)

Four years following the launch of Warzone, Activision has released a mobile adaptation that remains free-to-play. Players can link their Activision ID to synchronize their progress, weapons, and friends from previous console or PC gameplay. “We’re utilizing the same animations, movements, and weapon systems, appropriately adjusted for mobile devices,” noted Chris Plummer, head of mobile at Activision.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (2024)

This upcoming title features a mix of returning characters from earlier Black Ops installments alongside new faces, all confronting a conspiracy within the CIA as tensions rise post-Cold War. The action unfolds globally, spanning locations such as Russia, southern Europe, and the U.S., in the backdrop of unrest in the Middle East during the 1991 U.S.-led military action against Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait. A biological weapon also plays a crucial role in the plot.