There are 5 Core Call of Duty Timelines

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As a passionate Call of Duty gamer and content creator, I get asked often: "How many Call of Duty timelines are there?". With different developers and sub-series, the lore and stories have fragmented across 5 separate timelines:

  • Modern Warfare
  • Black Ops
  • World War II
  • Infinite Warfare
  • Standalone (Ghosts)

Understanding these distinct universes that the iconic CoD games take place in is key to tracking the franchises‘ evolution from 2003 to now 20+ games later. In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll analyze each timeline in detail across major titles, characters, events, reception and sales.

Let‘s dive in to the complex, thrilling multiverse of Call of Duty!

Modern Warfare Timeline

The flagship Modern Warfare timeline features contemporary, fictional conflicts involving iconic characters like Captain Price and controversial missions like the infamous "No Russian" level.

Notable Games

  • Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)
  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019 reboot)
  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)

Across these titles, players lead Task Force 141 alongside main characters like Captain Price and Soap across global locations. Fan favorite Ghost also appears, along with controversial additions like space warfare in Infinite Warfare (received poorly, according to Metacritic).

The timeline chronicles a series of fictional, contemporary conflicts involving nuclear weapons and rogue states. Infinity Ward interweaves memorable missions like All Ghillied Up with controversial ones such as No Russian.

Reception & Impact

The Modern Warfare series has sold over 175 million copies worldwide as of 2022, making it the most popular Call of Duty timeline according to Statista.

The groundbreaking CoD 4 is widely regarded as one of the most influential video games of all-time. Its cinematic set-piece moments like Shock and Awe brought increased realism and production values expected of military shooters.

Modern Warfare 2 remains the top-selling Call of Duty with over 33 million copies sold. Fan favorite character Ghost, while controversial, embodies the iconic masked operator aesthetic.

What‘s Next?

The recently launched Modern Warfare II will likely continue leading the overall Call of Duty timeline with more cinematic single-player campaigns and SpecOps missions. We could see interwoven storylines with Task Force 141 working more alongside SAS Captain Price.

Multiplayer will drive innovation as usual, especially with the revamped DMZ mode proving popular. It seems players can expect familiar characters but new locales for covert operations around the globe.

With no major Call of Duty title lined up for 2023, Modern Warfare II will likely dominate and receive sustained content updates focused on multiplayer and SpecOps.

Black Ops Timeline

The Black Ops series features shadow wars and special operations during the Cold War era in a fictionalized setting. Fan favorite character Frank Woods anchors early titles.

Notable Games

  • Call of Duty: World at War (2008)
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010)
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012)
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops III (2015)
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020)

Spanning early conflicts like World War II in Pacific to future warfare against drones, the Black Ops timeline bounces across history chasing conspiracies. Players lead operations cracking down on Perseus sleeper agents in Cold War for example.

Set during tensions with Russia, the timeline builds its own distinct lore separate from the main Modern Warfare series. Developers Treyarch and Raven Software interweave real-world events like Bay of Pigs and fictional missions to carry an overarching story across very different eras.

Reception & Impact

The 2010 Black Ops remains the overall best-selling Call of Duty game ever, topping over 30 million copies according to ScreenRant. Its Cold War setting resonated with millions of gamers.

However, recent titles like Black Ops 4 and Cold War scored lower on sites like Metacritic. While still financial hits, some fans feel Treyarch lost focus from the early gritty Black Ops titles.

What‘s Next?

Early rumors point to Black Ops 5 arriving in 2024 from Treyarch, continuing the original conspiracy-laden timeline.

We‘ll likely see the return of Frank Woods alongside new playable characters. Historical events and operations during to Cold War era provide fertile ground for covert missions.

Given player fatigue with futuristic titles, expect Treyarch to stay grounded in early eras. With no 2023 Call of Duty planned, sustained support for Modern Warfare II provides room for Treyarch to develop an exciting new Black Ops chapter beyond 2020‘s Cold War.

World War II Timeline

The World War II timeline features Call of Duty‘s origin as a Medal of Honor competitor set across European and Pacific campaigns. Mainstay developer Infinity Ward launched the sub-series which has featured intermittent sequels and reboots.

Notable Games

  • Call of Duty (2003)
  • Call of Duty 2 (2005)
  • Call of Duty 3 (2006)
  • Call of Duty: World at War (2008)
  • Call of Duty: WWII (2017)

Across these World War II entries, players battle across Stalingrad, Normandy on D-Day to finally the defeat of Nazi Germany. Iconic battles provide the backdrop to blockbuster set-piece moments year after year.

Sledgehammer‘s 2017 reboot with WWII sold over 25 million copies, showing continued appetite for Call of Duty‘s origin point within the setting that started it all – despite increasing shift to modern weapons and locales in later franchises.

Reception & Impact

According to NPD sales numbers, Call of Duty 2 and Call of Duty 3 remain in the top 10 best-selling console games of all-time.

World at War scored well also, with an 83 rating on Metacritic and pushing the series into more cinematic set-pieces and varied gameplay.

What‘s Next?

A new World War II title likely depends on reception to 2022‘s Modern Warfare II and anticipated 2024 Black Ops 5.

If gamers show fatigue at near-future wars, Activision could turn back the clock for a gritty, authentic war shooter reflecting Call of Duty‘s early success as a World War II tour de force.

Key is innovating the format while retaining authenticity. Utilizing new graphics engines, destructible environments, more open gameplay, and diverse character rosters could make a WWII reboot compelling. Until then, periodic remasters may fill the gap for die-hard classic CoD fans.

Standalone Timelines

Outside core entries sit several one-off Call of Duty timelines that developer spinout studios or took the franchise in completely new directions, for better or worse among fans.

Infinite Warfare

The lone Infinite Warfare title features space combat alongside special operations on Earth and Mars. Starring Kit Harrington as antagonist Salen Kotch, its FTL jumps failed commercially and critically, forcing Activision to reassure fans it wouldn‘t abandon boots-on-ground warfare.

Ghosts

Led by the masked Simon ‘Ghost‘ Riley, Call of Duty: Ghosts sits in its contained timeline given tepid reception to its near-future realism and Extinction mode failing to reach Zombies heights. Its core breach gameplay remains novel however within the isolated Ghosts timeline.

While the overarching Modern Warfare series clearly leads in sales and reception, the interwoven Black Ops timeline retains its own identity with Treyarch likely relaunching core sequels in 2024 and beyond anchored on Cold War intrigue.

Classic World War II theaters will likely see revivals depending on reception to Infinity Ward‘s Modern Warfare pace-setter releases. Meanwhile one-off experiments sit isolated as Call of Duty continues innovating, but always returns soldiers to boots-on-ground combat that made CoD an icon.

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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