GameTimeline

Release & story order

Call of Duty timeline

Call of Duty from the 2003 World War II original through Black Ops 7 and the planned Modern Warfare 4 (2026)—US release dates, Black Ops in-universe chronology, and how the Modern Warfare reboot ties to Black Ops while the original MW trilogy stays separate.

Updated June 2026

Start with:

Release order Story order

Release order

When Activision shipped each annual mainline game—Infinity Ward, Treyarch, and Sledgehammer taking turns since 2003 through Black Ops 7 (2025) and Modern Warfare 4 (planned October 2026). Warzone and Mobile are ongoing online modes, not numbered campaign rows here.

  • First playthrough → Release order (2003 → 2025)—how the series evolved year by year
  • Black Ops lore only → Story order starting with World at War, then switch to Story tab
  • Multiplayer-focused → Buy the latest (Black Ops 7); campaign optional for many players
  • Skip Black Ops 4 campaign—it has none; Infinite Warfare and Ghosts are divisive one-offs
Story order tips

Call of Duty uses several separate story worlds. The connected Black Ops saga runs World at War (1940s) through Black Ops 7 (2030s). The 2019 Modern Warfare reboot shares that world. The original Modern Warfare trilogy (2007–2011) is its own timeline—as are Ghosts, Advanced Warfare, and Infinite Warfare.

  • Black Ops core: World at War → Black Ops → Cold War → Black Ops II (1980s missions) → Black Ops 6 → MW reboot (2019–2023) → Black Ops II (2025 missions) → Black Ops 7 → Black Ops III
  • Original Modern Warfare trilogy (2007 MW → 2009 MW2 → 2011 MW3) is its own universe—not the 2019 reboot
  • WWII cluster (CoD, CoD 2, CoD 3, WWII, Vanguard) uses different casts—optional side history, not Black Ops canon
  • On Story order, later entries may be hidden—click to reveal them, or turn on Show all spoilers

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Call of Duty

    Call of Duty

    PCFPSMainlineWWII

    Infinity Ward's WWII debut—American, British, and Soviet campaigns.

    Overview
    Squad-based WWII shooter that launched Activision's annual franchise.
    In-game setting
    Standalone WWII anthology—not the start of the Black Ops continuity.
    Should you play it?
    Historical curiosity or WWII completionist play—Black Ops fans start at World at War for lore.
    Release date
    US PC launch October 29, 2003. Later ports and Call of Duty Classic (2009).
  2. Call of Duty 2

    Call of Duty 2

    Xbox 360PCFPSMainlineWWII

    Three WWII fronts—Red Army, British, and US Army.

    Overview
    Xbox 360 launch title; refined gunplay without the first game's health packs.
    In-game setting
    Anthology WWII entry; no story link to Black Ops or Modern Warfare.
    Should you play it?
    Optional WWII chapter—skip unless completing every release row.
    Release date
    US Xbox 360 launch November 15, 2005; PC October 25, 2005.
  3. Call of Duty 3

    Call of Duty 3

    PS2PS3XboxXbox 360WiiFPSMainlineWWII

    Treyarch's first mainline—Normandy breakout, console-only at launch.

    Overview
    First mainline not developed by Infinity Ward; no PC release at launch.
    In-game setting
    Final numbered WWII entry before Modern Warfare changed the setting.
    Should you play it?
    Skip unless you're on a full release-order marathon.
    Release date
    US launch November 7, 2006.
  4. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

    Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

    PCPS3Xbox 360FPSMainlineModern Warfare

    Original Modern Warfare—Captain Price, Soap, and the nuke shock.

    Overview
    Franchise breakthrough—contemporary setting, killstreak multiplayer, All Ghillied Up.
    In-game setting
    Original MW universe begins (~2011 in fiction). Separate from the 2019 reboot timeline.
    Should you play it?
    Still a classic campaign. Story order: first of the original MW trilogy only.
    Release date
    US launch November 7, 2007. Remastered in 2016—see FAQ.
  5. Call of Duty: World at War

    Call of Duty: World at War

    PCPS3Xbox 360WiiFPSMainlineBlack Ops

    Pacific and Eastern Front WWII—introduces Viktor Reznov and Zombies.

    Overview
    Treyarch return to WWII; first Zombies mode; direct prequel to Black Ops.
    In-game setting
    Reznov and Dragovich threads continue in Black Ops (1960s).
    Should you play it?
    Essential for Black Ops story order—play before Black Ops on Story tab.
    Release date
    US launch November 11, 2008.
  6. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

    Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

    PCPS3Xbox 360FPSMainlineModern Warfare

    Original MW2—No Russian, Washington DC invasion, Soap and Price return.

    Overview
    Biggest launch in entertainment at the time; Spec Ops co-op and killstreak escalation.
    In-game setting
    Original MW universe (~2016 in fiction). Not the 2022 game of the same name.
    Should you play it?
    Play after CoD 4 on original MW story path—not after the 2019 reboot.
    Release date
    US launch November 10, 2009. Campaign remaster 2020—FAQ only.
  7. Call of Duty: Black Ops

    Call of Duty: Black Ops

    PCPS3Xbox 360WiiFPSMainlineBlack Ops

    Alex Mason, Vietnam, and the numbers—Black Ops saga begins in earnest.

    Overview
    Cold War conspiracy tone; Zombies expanded; Reznov hallucination twist.
    In-game setting
    Story 1961–1968 (plus 1945 prologue missions). Follows World at War characters.
    Should you play it?
    Core Black Ops entry—Story order slot #2 after World at War.
    Release date
    US launch November 9, 2010.
  8. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

    Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

    PCPS3Xbox 360WiiFPSMainlineModern Warfare

    Original MW trilogy finale—World War III across Europe and the US.

    Overview
    Infinity Ward + Sledgehammer co-development after studio turmoil.
    In-game setting
    Concludes original MW arc (~2016–2017 fiction). Makarov storyline ends.
    Should you play it?
    Finish original MW trilogy here—separate from Black Ops / MW reboot universe.
    Release date
    US launch November 8, 2011.
  9. Call of Duty: Black Ops II

    Call of Duty: Black Ops II

    PCPS3Xbox 360Wii UFPSMainlineBlack Ops

    Dual timeline—1980s flashbacks and 2025 near-future war.

    Overview
    Branching strike-force missions and Menendez as the main villain.
    In-game setting
    Story splits: 1986–1989 missions before BO6 (1991); 2025 missions after MW reboot era.
    Should you play it?
    On Story order, 1980s sections play before BO6; 2025 sections play after MW III (2023).
    Release date
    US launch November 13, 2012.
  10. Call of Duty: Ghosts

    Call of Duty: Ghosts

    PCPS3PS4Xbox 360Xbox OneWii UFPSMainlineStandalone

    Near-future US vs Federation—Logan Walker and the Ghosts squad.

    Overview
    First CoD on PS4/Xbox One generation; Extinction mode instead of Zombies.
    In-game setting
    Standalone universe (~2027)—no ties to Black Ops or Modern Warfare.
    Should you play it?
    Optional skip—does not connect to other story rows on this page.
    Release date
    US launch November 5, 2013.
  11. Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

    Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare

    PCPS3PS4Xbox 360Xbox OneFPSMainlineStandalone

    Exosuits and Jonathan Irons—2054 private-military coup.

    Overview
    Sledgehammer's first lead title; boost-jump movement and Exo abilities.
    In-game setting
    Separate near-future setting (2054)—not Black Ops or MW canon.
    Should you play it?
    Optional one-off—skip for lore unless you want every release row.
    Release date
    US launch November 4, 2014.
  12. Call of Duty: Black Ops III

    Call of Duty: Black Ops III

    PCPS3PS4Xbox 360Xbox OneFPSMainlineBlack Ops

    Cyber-augmented 2060s—Corvus AI and the frozen Mason reveal.

    Overview
    Full jump to 2065 sci-fi Black Ops; specialist multiplayer.
    In-game setting
    Story cap of the long Black Ops arc (2065–2070)—play last on Black Ops story path.
    Should you play it?
    Far-future Black Ops finale—Story order after Black Ops 7.
    Release date
    US launch November 6, 2015.
  13. Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare

    Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare

    PCPS4Xbox OneFPSMainlineStandalone

    Space warfare—Settlement Defense Front vs UNSA.

    Overview
    Zero-G combat and Jackal starfighter missions; bundled MW Remastered initially.
    In-game setting
    Standalone space-future setting—no connection to Black Ops timeline.
    Should you play it?
    Divisive campaign; skip for story canon—MW Remastered FAQ covers the bundle.
    Release date
    US launch November 4, 2016.
  14. Call of Duty: WWII

    Call of Duty: WWII

    PCPS4Xbox OneFPSMainlineWWII

    Western Front 1st Infantry Division—D-Day through Germany.

    Overview
    Sledgehammer return to boots-on-ground WWII after Advanced Warfare.
    In-game setting
    Standalone WWII story (1944–1945)—not linked to World at War / Black Ops cast.
    Should you play it?
    Optional WWII one-off—different characters from World at War.
    Release date
    US launch November 3, 2017.
  15. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4

    Call of Duty: Black Ops 4

    PCPS4Xbox OneFPSMainlineBlack OpsNo campaign

    Multiplayer, Blackout battle royale, and Zombies—no traditional campaign.

    Overview
    First mainline without a solo campaign; Specialists replace the old custom loadout system.
    In-game setting
    Multiplayer lore set ~2043—optional for story fans; see FAQ.
    Should you play it?
    Skip for campaign story—multiplayer/Zombies only.
    Release date
    US launch October 12, 2018.
  16. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

    Call of Duty: Modern Warfare

    PCPS4Xbox OneFPSMainlineModern Warfare

    MW reboot—new Price, Soap, and Ghost in the Black Ops universe.

    Overview
    Soft reboot with darker tone; Warzone launched from this client in 2020.
    In-game setting
    Same continuity as Black Ops (per Activision)—not the 2007–2011 trilogy.
    Should you play it?
    Start the MW reboot story here. In release order it came before Black Ops Cold War, but story-wise Cold War (1980s) comes earlier—see Story tab.
    Release date
    US launch October 25, 2019.
  17. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

    Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

    PCPS4PS5Xbox OneXbox Series X|SFPSMainlineBlack Ops

    1980s Perseus hunt—Bell, Woods, Mason, and Adler.

    Overview
    Direct sequel to Black Ops (1960s); ties into Warzone and MW reboot era.
    In-game setting
    Story 1981–1984—Story order after Black Ops, before BO II 1980s missions and BO6.
    Should you play it?
    Essential Black Ops bridge between BO1 and BO6/BO II flashbacks.
    Release date
    US launch November 13, 2020. Co-developed by Treyarch and Raven.
  18. Call of Duty: Vanguard

    Call of Duty: Vanguard

    PCPS4PS5Xbox OneXbox Series X|SFPSMainlineWWII

    Special Forces origins across WWII theaters—Arthur Kingsley team.

    Overview
    Cross-gen launch; caldera tied into Warzone Pacific at the time.
    In-game setting
    Standalone WWII anthology (1941–1945)—not World at War continuity.
    Should you play it?
    Optional WWII skip—no impact on Black Ops story rows.
    Release date
    US launch November 5, 2021.
  19. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

    Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

    PCPS4PS5Xbox OneXbox Series X|SFPSMainlineModern Warfare

    MW reboot sequel—Task Force 141, Las Almas, and Hassan.

    Overview
    Not the 2009 game—same name, different timeline. DMZ mode added later.
    In-game setting
    Story ~2022; follows 2019 Modern Warfare in the Black Ops shared universe.
    Should you play it?
    Play after 2019 MW and Cold War on story path—before MW III.
    Release date
    US launch October 28, 2022; campaign early access October 20 for pre-orders.
  20. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

    Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

    PCPS4PS5Xbox OneXbox Series X|SFPSMainlineModern Warfare

    MW reboot threequel—Makarov returns in open-combat missions.

    Overview
    Sledgehammer lead; larger open zones; Zombies in MW universe.
    In-game setting
    Story ~2023; slots before Black Ops II's 2025 missions on Story order.
    Should you play it?
    MW reboot trilogy cap until Modern Warfare 4 (2026).
    Release date
    US launch November 10, 2023.
  21. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

    Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

    PCPS4PS5Xbox OneXbox Series X|SFPSMainlineBlack Ops

    1990s Gulf War spy thriller—Marshall, Case, and Pantheon.

    Overview
    360-degree movement system; story ties directly to Black Ops II flashbacks.
    In-game setting
    Story set 1991—after Cold War, before BO II future arc.
    Should you play it?
    Latest Black Ops campaign as of mid-2026 story list.
    Release date
    US launch October 25, 2024. Treyarch + Raven.
  22. Call of Duty: Black Ops 7

    Call of Duty: Black Ops 7

    PCPS4PS5Xbox OneXbox Series X|SFPSMainlineBlack Ops

    2030s Specter One—decade after Black Ops II's future war.

    Overview
    Back-to-back Black Ops before Activision shifts sub-series rotation in 2026+.
    In-game setting
    Story ~2035—David Mason's Specter One team; follows BO II 2025 missions.
    Should you play it?
    Current mainline endpoint on this page until Modern Warfare 4.
    Release date
    US launch November 14, 2025.
  23. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4

    Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4

    PCPS5Xbox Series X|SSwitch 2FPSMainlineModern WarfareUpcoming

    Planned MW reboot follow-up—Activision announced May 2026.

    Overview
    Returns to Modern Warfare sub-series after consecutive Black Ops entries.
    In-game setting
    Story placement TBD—expected to continue the 2019 reboot universe.
    Should you play it?
    Upcoming row—dates and platforms may change before launch.
    Release date
    Scheduled worldwide launch October 23, 2026 per Activision/Wikipedia.

FAQ

Release vs story order, Black Ops timeline, original vs reboot Modern Warfare, Warzone/Mobile, remasters, and games without campaigns.

Release order

Release order is when Activision shipped each annual mainline game (2003–2025, plus Modern Warfare 4 planned for 2026). Story order follows in-universe chronology for the connected Black Ops saga and the 2019 Modern Warfare reboot that shares that universe. The original Modern Warfare trilogy (2007–2011) is a separate timeline—see Story tab and the MW reboot FAQ below.

New to CoD multiplayer → latest entry (Black Ops 7). Campaign lore → World at War then Black Ops on Story order, or 2019 Modern Warfare for the reboot arc. Classic FPS → Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) original trilogy. Full series → Release order from 2003—expect standalone detours (Ghosts, Advanced Warfare, Infinite Warfare).

Story & universes

Connected Black Ops campaign chronology: World at War (1942–1945) → Black Ops (1960s) → Black Ops Cold War (1981–1984) → Black Ops II 1980s missions → Black Ops 6 (1991) → Modern Warfare reboot trilogy (2019–2023) → Black Ops II 2025 missions → Black Ops 7 (~2035) → Black Ops III (2065). Black Ops 4 has no campaign—2043 multiplayer lore is optional.

Two different story worlds. The original trilogy (Call of Duty 4, Modern Warfare 2 2009, Modern Warfare 3 2011) follows one Price/Soap/Makarov arc ending around 2017 in fiction. The 2019 reboot (Modern Warfare 2019 → Modern Warfare II 2022 → Modern Warfare III 2023) reuses character names but tells a separate story that Activision places in the same world as Black Ops. Modern Warfare II (2022) is not the same game as Modern Warfare 2 (2009).

Remasters & bundles

Optional & online modes

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.