Call of Duty (electronic game)
Call of Duty is a prominent first-person shooter video game franchise known for its immersive combat experiences, dramatic narratives, and extensive weaponry. Initially launched in 2003, the series has grown from its World War II roots to encompass modern and futuristic warfare scenarios. The gameplay typically involves players assuming the role of various characters in mission-based campaigns, with multiplayer options that allow online competition. A notable feature of the series is its zombie mode, which offers a separate experience where players combat waves of the undead or other threats.
The franchise has seen numerous successful titles released annually, with innovations such as the perk system and regenerating health mechanics. Games like Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and Call of Duty: Black Ops have achieved significant commercial success, with millions of copies sold worldwide. As of 2015, the series has collectively sold nearly 200 million copies and generated over $11 billion in revenue, cementing its status as a cultural phenomenon and a leader in the gaming industry. The franchise's popularity has also led to collaborations with various brands and the involvement of notable voice actors, further enhancing its visibility and appeal.
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Call of Duty (electronic game)
Call of Duty is a highly successful video game franchise known for realistic depictions of combat, dramatic storylines, and a vast array of weapons. The series is a first-person shooter, a type of video game in which the action is seen from the perspective of the player who is usually armed with a gun, a rifle, or other weapon. Originally set on the battlefields of World War II, the series has evolved to include modern and futuristic versions of combat. The series began as a game designed for a personal computer (PC) and later moved to home consoles and introduced multiplayer capabilities that allow players to compete with others online. The series also created the popular zombie mode, separate from the main storyline, in which the player can battle zombies or aliens in varying environments.
History
In 1999, video game company Electronic Arts (EA) developed Medal of Honor, a first-person shooter set in World War II. The game was a success for the PlayStation console and spawned a sequel the next year. While both games sold well, EA wanted to create a title for the PC, then seen as a more lucrative platform for that type of game. It hired game developer 2015 Inc. to make the next entry in the series, Medal of Honor: Allied Assault. The game introduced historic World War II battles into its storyline and was praised for its graphics and gameplay.
With the success of the game, many of the developers of Allied Assault wanted to step out of the shadow of the Medal of Honor series and create their own brand. A group of them left 2015 Inc. and formed a company called Infinity Ward. Infinity Ward signed with EA's rival, Activision, and in 2003 produced Call of Duty for the PC. The game is based on the Allied invasion of Normandy in 1944 and features cinematic cut scenes. It tells its mission-based story through multiple playable characters, elements that later became series trademarks. Call of Duty was a critical success, even if it posted modest sales figures.
While Activision made a number of spin-off titles for home consoles such as the PlayStation2, Gamecube, and Xbox, a true sequel to Call of Duty was released in 2005. Call of Duty 2 introduced a regenerating health system, which gradually heals characters. Call of Duty 2 was released on PC and for the Xbox 360, the new console system from Microsoft. The game was the highest-selling title for the Xbox 360 upon its launch. To hold onto its market success and because it was not willing to wait the two years needed for Infinity Ward to produce another title, Activision hired developer Treyarch to create the next game in 2006. Call of Duty 3 is another shooter set in World War II and was the first in the series to be released solely for home consoles.
The Call of Duty series took a different turn in 2007 when Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was released. For the first time, the franchise shifted its focus from World War II to the twenty-first century, building a storyline around a Russian ultranationalist bent on destroying the United States. The game is notable for introducing the perk system, which allows players to earn added abilities for their characters, and killstreaks, a system that rewards consecutive enemy kills. Modern Warfare was a huge success, with more than 15.7 million games sold worldwide. In 2008, Call of Duty: World at War took the series back to its World War II roots and was another popular title, also selling about 15.7 million copies. Call of Duty's zombie mode made its debut in World at War. The mode, which became a series staple, was separate from the main storyline and pitted the player against wave after wave of the undead.
Activision released a new Call of Duty game every year for the next few years, alternating between developers Infinity War and Treyarch. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was released in 2009 and stirred controversy with a level in which the playable character is a double agent taking part in a terrorist attack on a Moscow airport. Players have the option of participating in the killing of innocent civilians or watching as they are gunned down. In 2010, Call of Duty: Black Ops was released. This game features a storyline involving a Special Forces agent and real-world events from the Cold War and Vietnam eras. When infighting at Activision resulted in a shakeup in Infinity Ward's management, the company created a new development team, Sledgehammer Games, to help with the next title. The result was 2011's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, a continuation of the plotline of the previous installments. Modern Warfare 3 went on to sell more than 26.5 million copies, the most of any game in the series. The next two titles in the series, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 in 2012, and Call of Duty: Ghosts in 2013, continued the success of the franchise, boasting increasingly complex graphics and weapons. In 2014, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare moved the series fifty years forward in time. It features futuristic weapons, armor, and battle tactics. Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 was released in November 2015 and posted $550 million in sales in its first three days of release.
Success and Impact
Since 2003, the twelve games in the main Call of Duty franchise and several spin-offs have sold almost 200 million copies and earned more than $11 billion worldwide as of November 2015. The games have consistently been among the best-selling and best-reviewed games upon their yearly release. The franchise holds the Guinness World Record for best-selling first-person shooter video game series.
The Call of Duty series has made a cultural impact as well. It has forged product tie-ins with Mountain Dew and Doritos and utilizes the voice acting of several A-list Hollywood actors such as Michael Keaton, Scott Glenn, and two-time Academy Award–winner Kevin Spacey.
Bibliography
"Call of Duty: A Short History." IGN.com. Imagine Games Network. Web. 17 Nov. 2015. http://microsites.ign.com/call-of-duty-a-short-history/#‗
"Call of Duty Signs Mountain Dew, Doritos Tie-in for Black Ops III Double Zombie XP." VCPost.com. Venture Capital Post. Web. 17 Nov. 2015. http://www.vcpost.com/articles/81873/20150731/call-of-duty-signs-mountain-dew-doritos-tie-black-ops-iii-double-zombie-xp.htm
"IGN Presents: The History of Call of Duty." IGN.com. Imagine Games Network. Web. 17 Nov. 2015. http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/11/06/ign-presents-the-history-of-call-of-duty
"175 Million Call of Duty Games Sold to Date, Still Fewer than GTA." Gamespot. Gamespot. Web. 17 Nov. 2015. http://www.gamespot.com/articles/175-million-call-of-duty-games-sold-to-date-still-/1100-6426188/
"Will Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare Match the Success of its Record-breaker Predecessors?" GuinnessWorldRecords.com. Guinness World Records. Web. 17 Nov. 2015. http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2014/11/will-call-of-duty-advanced-warfare-match-its-record-breaker-predecessors-61719/