The Call of Duty (CoD) series is a cornerstone in the world of video games, revered for its gritty portrayal of warfare, rich storytelling, and dynamic multiplayer modes. Over the years, the franchise has explored various eras and conflicts, making it sometimes confusing for players to follow the chronological order based on historical settings. This article aims to clear up any confusion by laying out the Call of Duty games in the order of their in-game historical timeline, rather than their real-world release dates.
World War II and Early Conflicts
The CoD franchise is no stranger to the brutal theatres of World War II, with several titles set in this era, alongside explorations of earlier conflicts.
Call of Duty: WWII (2017)
Returning to the franchise’s roots, this title offers a vivid portrayal of the European theatre of World War II, focusing on the 1944-1945 period toward the war’s end.
Call of Duty: World at War (2008)
Focusing on the Pacific theatre and the Eastern Front, this game brings to life the ferocious battles between 1942 and 1945, highlighting the brutal reality of World War II.
Call of Duty 2 (2005)
Breaking ground with improved graphics and realism, this sequel offers multiple perspectives on the conflicts during the years 1941-1945, with campaigns in Russia, Africa, and Europe.
Call of Duty (2003)
The game that started it all, plunging players into various key battles across the European theatre from 1942 to 1945, setting the stage for what would become one of the most iconic franchises in gaming history.
The Cold War and Vietnam
Moving forward in time, the series has also delved into the complex geopolitical tension of the Cold War and the jungle warfare of Vietnam.
Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010) and Black Ops Cold War (2020)
These two titles intricately weave narratives running through the height of the Cold War, with the original Black Ops focusing particularly on the late 1960s and early involvement in Vietnam, while Cold War spans the early 1980s, exploring espionage and covert operations.
Modern Warfare
Perhaps the most renowned subset of the CoD series, the Modern Warfare titles ripped stories from the headlines to deliver a gritty look into conflicts in the Middle East and Russia.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
This game marked a pivotal shift for the franchise into modern-day settings, presenting a fictional near-future conflict in 2011 involving the United States, the United Kingdom, and Russia.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009) and Modern Warfare 3 (2011)
Following the events of its predecessor, MW2 continues the storyline into 2016, with MW3 wrapping up the trilogy in a dramatic conclusion set within the same year.
The Future Warfare
Exploring speculative future conflicts, several CoD titles have imagined warfare with advanced technology and new geopolitical landscapes.
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014)
Set in a plausible 2054, this title introduces players to exoskeletons and drones in a world struggling with the aftermath of global conflict and climate change.
Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016)
Taking warfare to space, Infinite Warfare propels players into the distant future of 2080, where interplanetary conflict between Earth and a colonized solar system unfolds.
Note: There are several other entries and spin-offs in the Call of Duty franchise, including the Black Ops subseries that blends elements of past, present, and future warfare. However, the games listed here are the primary titles that follow the chronological order of their historical or speculative settings.