What is Call of Duty and Why is it So Popular
Call of Duty’s popularity cannot be denied. It was created by developer Infinity Ward and has been changing since it first launched with World War II as its setting; this trend continued for all subsequent installments until now (2011).
The 15 main installment titles have sold approximately 100 million copies worldwide to date – meaning millions still play every day!
COD has been a popular video game franchise for years. The first installment to sell over $1 billion was released in 2007, and it continues to be a huge success following all these years, with spin-offs selling an additional 15+ billion dollars!
In this article, I’m going to discuss how each title impacted gaming culture and why its popularity came about so quickly while also discussing some interesting facts you may not know or remember.
Call of Duty (2003)
The first game of the franchise took place during World War II
In this game, players control several characters from a first-person perspective, which helps them immerse themselves in the story.
The game also introduced an interesting ranking system that had players rank up by gaining experience points (XP) during missions. If the player reached higher ranks, different weapons and upgrades would become available for use.
The Call of Duty franchise launched with relatively average reviews, but sales were fantastic. Over 100,000 units were sold within one month and over 300k by the end-November 2003!
Call of Duty 2 (2005)
The success of Call of Duty is attributed to its innovative, grounded narrative. Infinity Ward’s sequel began with a different setting and story in mind – one that would keep players on their toes for more than just new content updates or side missions; they wanted something substantial enough so as not bore them rigidly after playing through two progressively bigger outings.
They accomplished this by creating an excellent mission design with deep World War II roots while still managing graphics upgrades during development which put gamers right into the middle conflict like never before!
Call of Duty 2 introduced co-op multiplayer to the series, allowing up to four players or teams (local and online)to play a variety of missions such as defending locations against zombies and Nazis with limited ammunition.
There are also missions where each player has their part in achieving victory! Getting a victory in all these missions can be a challenge that’s why pro players use these call of duty hacks to stay ahead.
Call of Duty 2 was a success, thanks in part to its innovative multiplayer mode. By July 2006, the game had sold 4 million copies worldwide and earned $190 million from retail sales alone!
With each new installment that goes on sale, people all over are predicting what they’ll be playing before it comes out – even if you don’t know anything about gaming at heart.
Modern Warfare
COD4: Modern Warfare marked the beginning of a new era for Call Of Duty.
It’s been said that this game changed gaming as we know it, and with good reason! The release brought about several changes which helped shape future entries in the franchise from then on out –
A new addition that was introduced is the ability to shoot by aiming down sight. A player’s health can regenerate, and they’ll receive airstrikes or helicopter support to kill multiple enemies at once, which are all possible thanks in part due to this change-players now have so many more options available than before!
COD 4 is one of the most successful games in history and set a bar for future installments.
In November 2007, Activision released a game that would give them an advantage over competing titles Halo 3, which gave it more exposure.
In the first 6 months of release, the game sold 6 million copies.
The Call of Duty 4’s Elite service was a great addition to the game because it allowed players to track their stats and share them across Xbox 360, PS3, PC.
The service was free until 2010 when it became a paid subscription for users.
Activision does offer an ad-supported version of the service now, but some features such as video sharing are available only with a paid membership, so if you want those extras, then be sure to upgrade!
Call of Duty Balck Ops (2010)
The year 2010 saw the release of Black Ops, another installment set within an era where Cold War tensions were high.
Like its predecessors, players are given different options to play through missions as the US or Soviet soldiers with story paths beyond just warfare and providing insight into psychological aspects such as brainwashing and attempting to assassinate Fidel Castro.
While Call of Duty: Black Ops received mixed reviews from critics, the game broke records when it came to sales. It sold over 5 million units in its first 24 hours on sale, which surpassed Modern Warfare 2’s record by more than 1 million copies back in 2009! By November 2011 – less than one year since its release- this innovative title had already sold 25+ million worldwide.
Published by Activision, the game has spawned several sequels, including Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, Black Ops 3, and Black Ops 4 (2018).
This week, we are waiting for the release of the latest installment of the franchise named Vanguard. With it comes the most realistic and engaging combat sim yet. This year’s Call of Duty brings with it a new take on Warfare: boots on the ground and an emphasis on stealth, intelligence, and teamwork.
What makes this title unique is that not only does it feature campaigns for different armed forces, but it also features a campaign designed specifically for gamers who enjoy playing solo.
Final Words
Although Activision has never released exact details regarding the profits generated by Call of Duty, industry analysts speculate that it earned more than $15 billion globally.
Whether you are new to the franchise or an experienced player, Vanguard will not be one to miss.
What are your thoughts on the best Call of Duty? What is your favorite entry? Let us know in the comments below!
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