Call of Duty used to be the undisputed king of shooters. But what happened? How did the series go from cult multiplayer megahit to a failed experiment?
In 2003, the first Call of Duty set new standards for shooters. The game was different – no lone wolf, but a team-focused experience. The success was massive, and Activision invested heavily to grow the series.
The Breakthrough Shooter That Changed Everything
With Call of Duty 2 in 2005, which brought the series to the Xbox 360, and later Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare in 2007, the franchise took off rapidly. The decision to leave the historical setting behind and tell a modern, fictional story was a game-changer. Especially the multiplayer mode with its progression system and killstreaks set new standards.
Modern Warfare 2 was the series' biggest success. With its controversial campaign and evolved multiplayer mode, it set the bar high. Black Ops, with its Cold War setting and zombie mode, made 2010 another triumph for Call of Duty.
The Downfall...
But after Black Ops 2, the downward trend accelerated. Titles like Ghosts and the futuristic Advanced Warfare and Infinite Warfare drifted away from the roots, alienating many fans. The result: declining sales and one of the most disliked trailers of all time.
The reboot of Modern Warfare in 2019 and the battle royale Warzone during the 2020 lockdown brought fresh momentum. But the success didn't last. The series seemed increasingly overshadowed by microtransactions, skill-based matchmaking, and dull events.
The attempt to return to old form with Black Ops 6 failed dramatically. Despite the return of the zombie mode, the game lost nearly 80% of its players within two months. The problems: microtransactions, artificially generated content, and a monotonous gameplay loop.
The question arises: Should Call of Duty take a break and return with a fresh approach? Or will it forever remain the go-to shooter for casual couch gamers? The competition is strong, with tactical shooters like Valorant and Apex Legends. Call of Duty must reinvent itself to stay relevant.