Call of Duty

Call of Duty is a name that’s been stamped onto the DNA of gaming. First released in 2003 by Infinity Ward and published by Activision, the franchise began as a World War II shooter, rival to the likes of Medal of Honor and Wolfenstein. But things really took off with the release of Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. That legendary title brought fast-paced multiplayer into the spotlight, changing the genre as a whole.

Ever since, the series has swung between modern conflicts, historical battles, and full-on sci-fi. And somehow, it just works. Whether you’re jumping out of a helicopter or ducking laser drones, CoD keeps exhilarating and cinematic. And it’s inspired others: Tight controls and frantic gunfights have become the standard in shooters.

In 2025, the hype is not slowing down. With Modern Warfare III and Warzone 2.0 continuing to drop seasonal updates, it’s becoming rare for CoD not to be trending in the gaming space. Competitive play has grown too, with the Call of Duty League pulling in significant viewership numbers. Prize pools are growing, the players are getting ever-better, and the fans are global.

Call of Duty’s staying power comes down to one thing: Evolving without losing what made it great to start with. Whether you’re in it for the story or chasing killstreaks in ranked, CoD manages to pull you back in every time.

CoD gives its players plenty of choice, from different game modes to entirely different titles. New releases bring something new, of course, but the core game modes will always be there. There are plenty of options to dive into. If you’re looking for a classic, Team Deathmatch should be your choice. Headquarters, Capture the Flag, Kill Confirmed, and Free for All will keep you engaged and the pace rapid.

Enhance Your Character and Give Them Abilities to Push Ahead and Win

One feature that puts Call of Duty above other shooters is its custom class system. It didn’t invent it, but Infinity Ward helped make it a staple of the genre. Before each match, players can fine-tune their loadouts.

Being able to choose from a mix of primary weapons (SMGs, snipers, or assault rifles), secondary weapons (anti-vehicular launchers or pistols), and tactical gear like grenades and flashbangs, makes things extra compelling. You also get to pick three perks that can change how you play. These are split into three slots, and you’re able to tailor your playstyle to change your approach to the game.

Equip Cold-Blooded to stay hidden from enemy radars and killstreaks, or do you prefer running in guns blazing? Grab Scavenger to pick up extra ammo from fallen players to keep the pressure on.

On top of that, you’ve got Killstreaks. These are bonuses you receive when you stack up kills without dying, and these can be gamechangers. It all adds up to a system that rewards strategy, skill, and how well you know your strengths.

Call of Duty has come a long way since the first game was released in 2003. Modern Warfare’s multiplayer mode transformed the franchise. The classic Team Deathmatch quickly became a core feature, and it reshaped the online shooters for the better.

Call of Duty league was produced by its publisher, Activision, in 2020. The league contains 12 teams in where teams play in scheduled games against each other for a position in the season’s playoffs. OpTic Texas won the 2025 season, winning a total of $800,000 in prize money.

The teams franchised in 2025 by the Call of Duty League are:

• Atlanta FaZe
• Boston Breach
• Carolina Royal Ravens
• Las Vegas Falcons
• Los Angeles Guerrillas M8
• Los Angeles Thieves
• Miami Heretics
• Minnesota RØKKR
• Cloud9 New York
• OpTic Texas
• Toronto Ultra
• Vancouver Surge

The 2025 season was won by Los Angeles Thieves with a total of 540 points, finishing just 35 points ahead of Atlanta FaZe.

Talking about CoD betting, there are two approaches. Option one will allow you to opt out and enable you to place traditional bets on CDL matches. Whereas option two lets you dive into Fantasy COD, allowing you to build your roster. Plenty of esports bookmakers allow you to do this, usually between January and September.

Over 250 matches are played every season, leaving no shortage of wagering opportunities.

Various members of our team have played CoD at some point, but competitively? That’s complex, and every match will be different. CoD requires you to depend on both teammates and your opponents’ approach, every match. Your raw mechanical skills and situational awareness will be tested each time.

Fancy developing new strategies to better your opponents? CoD is the shooter for you.