Are All The Call Of Duty Games Connected

Are All the Call of Duty Games Connected?

That’s a question many Call of Duty fans ask themselves as they jump from one epic battle to the next! It’s easy to get lost in the explosions, the fast-paced action, and the different characters. So, let’s dive in and explore whether these games, spanning many years and settings, actually share a connection beyond the “Call of Duty” name.

The Different Call of Duty Universes

Instead of one giant story connecting all the games, it’s more accurate to think of the Call of Duty series as having several different universes or timelines. These timelines are often separated by the type of conflict, setting, and the characters we see. Think of them like different books in a series, where some books share characters and events, while others introduce completely new worlds. Let’s look at some of the most prominent universes:

The Modern Warfare Universe

This is a huge one for many fans! The Modern Warfare series generally focuses on modern or near-future conflicts, often involving special forces, terrorism, and geopolitical tensions.

• The Original Modern Warfare Trilogy: Games like Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Modern Warfare 2, and Modern Warfare 3 tell a single, continuous story. We follow characters like Captain Price, Soap MacTavish, and Ghost as they face threats from Ultranationalists and terrorists. These are directly connected, and you need to play them in order to understand the whole arc.
• The Modern Warfare Reboot Series: Starting with 2019’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, we have a reimagining of the original story with new takes on these familiar characters. These games, such as Modern Warfare II and Modern Warfare III, form their own connected storyline. Although they share some characters and story beats from the original trilogy, they are set in their own continuity, meaning they don’t directly continue the old storyline, instead they bring a fresh modern take to the series.

The Black Ops Universe

The Black Ops series is another major player in the Call of Duty world. It delves into clandestine operations, Cold War conflicts, and sometimes even ventures into the future. This series is known for its complex narratives and often features a blend of historical events with fictional elements. It is also known for using mind control techniques, and it often features lots of twists and turns.

• The Core Black Ops Games: Call of Duty: Black Ops, Black Ops II, Black Ops III, and Black Ops 4 are interconnected, telling a large story focusing on characters like Alex Mason, Frank Woods, and Raul Menendez. The storyline becomes more complex with each game, especially when you consider the different timelines and mind-bending plot elements.
• Black Ops Cold War: While bearing the “Black Ops” name, Cold War is a soft reboot and serves more as a prequel set between the first Black Ops and Black Ops II. It still features some of the same characters, but has a distinct narrative of its own, making it a standalone entry that has some connecting tissue.

The World War II Universe

These games take us back to the battlefields of World War II. They offer a gritty and historical look at some of the most significant moments of the war.

• Classic WWII Games: Early titles such as Call of Duty, Call of Duty 2, and Call of Duty 3 share a similar historical setting but lack strong character and narrative connections with each other.
• World at War: Call of Duty: World at War, despite being set in WWII, introduces some recurring elements and is more directly linked to the Black Ops universe.
• Call of Duty: WWII: 2017’s Call of Duty: WWII is a standalone story that again focuses on different characters during World War II and has no direct connections to previous titles.

Standalone Titles and Other Timelines

Beyond these major universes, there are several Call of Duty games that are often seen as standalone titles with unique settings and characters. These games are not connected to each other or to the major universes:

• Call of Duty: Ghosts
• Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare
• Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
• Call of Duty: Vanguard

How to Spot Connections Between Games

While many Call of Duty games exist in separate universes, there are some recurring themes, characters, and elements that sometimes link different games:

Recurring Characters

You’ll notice certain characters pop up across different games or series. Captain Price, for example, appears in multiple Modern Warfare games. Similarly, Alex Mason and Frank Woods are key figures in the Black Ops storyline. These characters sometimes exist in different versions or in different ways based on the timeline and universe. Sometimes the same character may act completely differently than their previous iterations, showing they are a completely different character with the same name. These characters are not always the same, but if you follow the series it can be a nice treat to see these familiar faces.

Timeline Placement

Understanding where games fit in the timeline can reveal connections (or lack thereof). For instance, Black Ops Cold War is specifically placed before Black Ops II, which provides context and creates a more coherent history for that particular part of the series. Paying attention to timelines can also help you understand when a game is not meant to be connected to another, like Ghosts which was intentionally created to be a new universe. Sometimes games will even have references to games from different universes, these references are generally considered to be “Easter Eggs”, or just fun throwbacks to other games.

Gameplay Elements

While some gameplay features are common to all the Call of Duty games, other game play elements like specific perks, weapons, or killstreaks can sometimes be a subtle way to connect different games within the same universe. These subtle things can be easter eggs or intentional connections, but it is not always clear whether these connections have meaning or are just simply reused from one game to another.

Story Themes

Certain themes such as government conspiracies, the horrors of war, and the complex morality of military operations repeat across various Call of Duty games. These thematic links add depth to the franchise as a whole and help tie games together, even if they are not in the same universe. These themes allow the player to see the underlying ideas that the game wants you to consider. While these themes don’t necessarily mean two games are in the same universe, it does help solidify the overall tone of the franchise.

Why Are the Games Not Always Directly Connected?

There are a few reasons why the Call of Duty games often operate in different universes:

Creative Freedom

Separating the games into different universes gives the developers the freedom to tell new stories and explore different time periods without being bound by past narratives. It gives them the opportunity to reimagine characters and settings in new and fresh ways. This also allows them to be creative and do new and crazy things they wouldn’t have the chance to do in a connected series. It creates a sense of unpredictability in the franchise, which many people enjoy.

Reaching New Audiences

Having some standalone titles or completely separate universes allows new players to easily jump into the series without needing to know the entire history of past games. It makes the franchise more accessible, and allows players to easily join in at any point. This means anyone who picks up a new title will be able to understand the story and the game world without needing to worry about what happened in the past.

Avoiding Contradictions

Trying to connect every single Call of Duty game into one cohesive timeline would be a massive task and could easily lead to contradictions or plot holes. Different teams work on the games, and sometimes creative decisions are made that do not match previous games, leading to big changes in characters and setting. These changes in the series make one singular universe difficult to maintain.

A Table of Connections

Here’s a simple table to help visualize the primary connections between the main Call of Duty series:

So, are all Call of Duty games connected? Not really in the way you might think. While some games are tied together with clear storylines and characters within specific universes, many are designed as standalone experiences. This approach allows for more creative freedom and ensures there’s something for every kind of Call of Duty fan. Enjoy the game, enjoy the story, and have fun exploring the different battles!