Call of Duty
is a world-renowned first-person shooter (FPS) military video game franchise published by Activision. Launched in 2003, it has grown from a World War II simulator into a multi-faceted entertainment property encompassing modern warfare, Cold War espionage, and futuristic combat.
Core Game Modes
Most major entries in the franchise feature three primary pillars of gameplay:
• Campaign: Cinematic single-player stories that put players in the boots of various soldiers across historical and fictional conflicts.
• Multiplayer: A competitive online experience featuring fast-paced modes like Team Deathmatch, Domination, and Search & Destroy.
• Cooperative/Zombies: Special modes where players team up to fight waves of AI-controlled enemies, most famously the "Zombies" survival mode.
• Warzone: A massive, free-to-play battle royale experience where up to 150 players fight to be the last standing on sprawling maps like Verdansk and Urzikstan.
Key Sub-Series and Recent Titles
The franchise is primarily developed by three lead studios—Infinity Ward, Treyarch, and Sledgehammer Games—who rotate releases.
• Modern Warfare Series: Focuses on contemporary global conflict and iconic characters like Captain Price.
• Black Ops Series: Explores gritty espionage and psychological warfare, with the most recent entry, Black Ops 7, released on November 14, 2025.
• Mobile: Call of Duty: Mobile brings the franchise’s signature multiplayer and battle royale action to handheld devices.
Modern Features
As of 2025, the series has introduced several gameplay innovations:
• Omnimovement: Introduced in Black Ops 6, allowing players to sprint, slide, and dive in any direction.
• Gunsmith: A deep weapon customization system allowing players to swap attachments like muzzles, optics, and magazines to fit their playstyle.
• Live Service Updates: Games receive frequent "Seasons" that add new maps, weapons, and "Operators" (playable characters).