The Evolution of Call of Duty: A Brief History
By Akash Malik
Since its debut in 2003, Call of Duty (COD) has revolutionized the first-person shooter (FPS) genre. COD started as a WWII shooter game, but soon became a cultural phenomenon with modes like battle royale, team deathmatch, domination and more
The Early Days
In 2003, Infinity Ward released the first COD game, transporting players to WWII battlefields to play intense, story-driven campaigns. COD 2 and 3 expanded on the WWII setting with improved graphics and multiplayer modes, cementing the franchise’s reputation for cinematic storytelling.
In 2007, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was released, a game that moved away from historical settings to introduce modern-day conflicts, perks, killstreaks, and custom loadouts. Modern Warfare quickly became a cultural phenomenon, known for its gripping narrative, memorable characters like Captain Price, and competitive multiplayer scene.
In 2010, Call of Duty: Black Ops came out, showcasing Cold War espionage themes and branching storylines. The Black Ops series of games also introduced the iconic Zombies mode, creating a new fan-favorite gameplay experience.
Time to Battle!
Fortnite, released in 2017, popularized the free to play battle royale format, a multiplayer game mode where players fight to be the last one standing. Up until this point Call of Duty was known for its first-person shooter campaigns and multiplayer modes, but in March 2020 introduced its own free to play battle royale mode called Warzone.
Warzone incorporated elements that were popularized by Fortnite, such as a large map, player count, and a focus on team play, but it maintained the realistic military aesthetic and gameplay mechanics that are characteristic of the Call of Duty series. Warzone quickly became one of the most popular battle royales globally.
With new titles announced yearly, COD continues to innovate with advanced graphics, immersive campaigns, and evolving multiplayer modes. Rumors about upcoming releases suggest even more integration with Warzone and a focus on live-service content.
From WWII to futuristic warfare and now battle royale, Call of Duty’s journey reflects the evolution of gaming itself. In 2023, Microsoft completed its $69 billion takeover of Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard, in the gaming industry's biggest ever deal.
Crafting the Perfect Loadout
In Call of Duty, having the right loadout can be the difference between winning and losing. Crafting a class setup tailored to your playstyle not only maximizes your effectiveness on the battlefield, but also enhances your overall gaming experience.
Understanding Loadout Components
Primary Weapon: Your main tool for combat. You might choose an assault rifle for balanced gameplay, a submachine gun (SMG) for aggressive rushing, or a sniper rifle for long-range.
Secondary Weapon: A backup option when your primary is out of ammo or in close-quarter situations. You might consider a pistol for a quick draw kill, or launchers to shoot down enemy aircrafts.
Perks: Enhance your character’s abilities. Some common choices include:
Overkill: Carry two primary weapons for versatility.
Ghost: Remain undetectable by enemy UAVs.
Amped: Faster weapon swap speed, ideal for aggressive playstyles.
Equipment: Tactical gear like flashbangs can disorient enemies, while smoke grenades can mask movement. Lethals like frag grenades can clear out rooms. A semtex is a sticky lethal that can stick to surfaces and detonate almost instantly. Semtexes are generally considered more powerful and faster acting than frags, but frags can be "cooked" (held for a short time before throwing) for more precise timing, whereas a semtex cannot be cooked.
Example Classes
Assault Class (All-Rounder)
Primary Weapon: Assault Rifle M4A1 with red dot for accuracy, suppressor to stay invisible on enemy mini map while firing, and grip to reduce recoil.
Secondary: Pistol for quick swaps in close combat or launchers to take down aircrafts.
Perks: Sleight of Hand, Ghost, Amped.
Equipment: Frag Grenade, Stun Grenade.
Sniper Class (Long-Range Dominance)
Primary Weapon: Sniper Rifle with extended barrel for range and accuracy.
Secondary: SMG for close-range defense.
Perks: Cold-Blooded (avoid thermal detection), Ghost, Tracker (see enemy footsteps).
Equipment: Claymore (for flanking enemies), Smoke Grenade (for retreat or reposition).
Rusher Class (Aggressive Playstyle)
Primary Weapon: SMG with high mobility and fast ADS speed.
Secondary: Combat Knife for the fastest movement speed.
Perks: Double Time (extended sprint), Ghost, Amped.
Equipment: C4 (for quick kills), Stim (for health regen while rushing).
Tips for Optimizing Loadouts
Adapt to Meta Changes — Weapon balance updates can impact effectiveness. Stay updated and adjust your loadouts accordingly.
Map-Specific Loadouts — Create different setups for close-quarter maps versus long-range maps.
Experiment and Adjust — Don’t be afraid to try new combinations to find what suits you best.
Conclusion
Creating the perfect loadout requires understanding your playstyle, adapting to the game’s meta, and continuous experimentation. With the right combination of weapons, perks, and equipment, you can maximize your effectiveness and dominate the battlefield.
