In 2012, Black Ops II brought with it the first COD Ranked Mode ever – and players loved it. Since then, Ranked Play has been seen in almost every Call of Duty game since, offering players a more challenging way to play and compete with other users online. It’s almost a staging ground for the next level of competitive Call of Duty, with players learning how the esports scene works through the games with a Call of Duty Ranked Mode.
If you wanted to jump in and climb the ranks in COD, Black Ops II was the place to be, but we’re a long way from 2012. In this guide, we’re taking a closer look at all the COD games with Ranked Play, determining which of them are still worth your time. Typically, when a new game comes out, the old game will die relatively quickly, but it’s not always a given.
COD Ranked Mode badges from Cold War. (Image Credit: Charlie INTEL)
For some reason, not every Call of Duty release comes with a ranked mode. It’s often added in as a later update to the game, such as was the case with Modern Warfare 2 and Modern Warfare 3. Out of all the Call of Duty games in history, only a small handful have boasted a ranked mode. For many, it’s the most welcome addition imaginable, giving players the option to enter higher-stakes games and compete to climb up intense leaderboards.
It’s hardly a coincidence that what many consider to be the best Call of Duty game in history also came equipped with one of the best Call of Duty ranked mode platforms.
As a fan, you can almost count the COD games with a ranking system on one hand. From 2012 to 2022, they are:
There are some differences between League Play and Ranked Play, but ultimately, they’re the same thing. They enable players to enter playlists restricted to certain maps and modes, and that feature a lockdown on most items, weapons, and abilities. They’re built to promote as level a playing field as possible, utilising skill-based matchmaking algorithms that put players in matches with opponents best suited to their skill level.
While 2019’s Modern Warfare wasn’t one of the COD games with a ranking system, all Call of Duty games since then have featured one. It featured typical multiplayer progression, but it didn’t release with any kind of ranked mode, and one wasn’t added later.
It’s now considered something key to the success of a Call of Duty game, especially as over time, players seem to be getting more skilled. They’re seeking a higher challenge, and that’s easily found in Ranked Play. In 2022, Modern Warfare 2’s Ranked Play platform was solid, and that continued in Modern Warfare 3 (2023). Black Ops 6 is set to be released in 2024, and there are high expectations that the Ranked Play platform – which will be available at launch – will deliver.
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