The Call of Duty (CoD) franchise boasts a sprawling timeline encompassing historical conflicts, fictional wars, and even futuristic battles. While some titles offer self-contained narratives, others subtly weave together, creating a rich and interconnected universe. Let's embark on a chronological adventure through the key events of the CoD timeline:
World War II (1939-1945):
- Call of Duty (2003), Call of Duty 2: Big Red One, Call of Duty 3: These titles immerse players in the iconic battles of World War II. We follow American, British, and Soviet soldiers through D-Day, the liberation of Europe, the brutal Eastern Front, and the Battle of Stalingrad.
The Cold War (1947-1991):
- Call of Duty: Black Ops: The Black Ops series delves into the covert operations of the Cold War. Playing as a CIA operative, you participate in missions across the globe, from the Bay of Pigs invasion to the Vietnam War.
- Call of Duty: Black Ops II: This title jumps between the 1980s Cold War and a future shaped by Cold War tensions. Players face technological advancements, drone warfare, and a potential global conflict averted by their choices.
- Call of Duty: World at War: While primarily focused on the Pacific theater during World War II, World at War also includes a mission set during the Berlin Wall's construction, hinting at the Cold War tensions to come.
Modern Warfare Era (1990s-Present):
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2007 Reboot): This iconic trilogy introduces Captain Price, Soap MacTavish, and the fight against global terrorism. They face villains like Zakhaev and his son, Imran, in conflicts across the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
- Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013): This standalone title offers a fictional war between the United States and a newly formed South American Federation. Although not directly connected to the Modern Warfare narrative, it shares the theme of modern warfare.
Black Ops: A Separate Path (1960s-2020s):
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War: This title explores the Cold War from a different perspective, featuring iconic figures like Ronald Reagan and focusing on covert operations and espionage missions.
- Call of Duty: Black Ops (declassified): This compilation offers short missions set across the Black Ops timeline, including Vietnam and the Cold War.
Futuristic Warfare (2025 and Beyond):
- Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014): This title takes place in a future dominated by powerful Private Military Corporations (PMCs). Players face a ruthless villain, Jonathan Irons, who utilizes advanced weaponry.
- Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016): This space opera features humanity fighting for survival against a technologically advanced alien invasion force.
Interconnected Threads:
Despite the seemingly disparate settings, subtle connections hint at a larger CoD universe:
- Captain Price: This iconic character appears in Modern Warfare and Black Ops 4, suggesting a broader world he inhabits.
- Technological Advancements: Weapons and technology developed in Black Ops may influence future conflicts in Modern Warfare.
- Historical References: Events in Black Ops Cold War can be seen as a prequel to the original Black Ops, showcasing the origins of some conflicts.
The Future of the CoD Timeline:
With the upcoming release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022), the franchise continues to explore past conflicts with a modern lens. Whether revisiting familiar characters and settings or venturing into uncharted territories, the CoD timeline promises to offer exciting new narratives and challenges in the years to come.
Beyond the Mainline Games:
The CoD universe extends beyond the numbered titles. Games like Call of Duty: WWII: The Resistance explore specific historical events, while Call of Duty: Black Ops: Declassified offers bite-sized missions that fill in gaps within the Black Ops narrative.
Conclusion:
The CoD timeline is a fascinating tapestry woven from historical conflicts, fictional wars, and futuristic battles. While some entries stand alone, others subtly connect, creating a sense of continuity for dedicated players. As the franchise continues to evolve, one thing remains certain: the CoD timeline offers a rich and diverse world for players to explore, engaging them not just with action, but with a sense of history, consequence, and the enduring spirit of humanity