Call of Duty is a first-person shooter developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision in 2003. Set during World War II, the single-player campaign follows soldiers of the United States, British, and Soviet armies through a series of tightly scripted missions. The game was built on a modified id Tech 3 engine and became known for its cinematic intensity, massive AI-driven battles, and immersive sound design. Players experience iconic moments like the defense of Stalingrad, bridge assaults, and urban combat. The multiplayer component introduced modes such as Search and Destroy and Behind Enemy Lines, and the killcam feature, showcasing the final moments before death, became a series staple. Call of Duty was a critical and commercial success, launching one of the most influential franchises in gaming history.

The Vault · 2003
Call of Duty
The shot heard 'round the world.
DeveloperInfinity Ward
PublisherActivision
ReleasedOctober 29, 2003
Players1 Player (campaign), Multiplayer
Call of DutyPCShooter
VGASound BlasterCD AudioMultiplayer
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PreservationHow to Play TodayYour options for running this game in 2026
Original Hardware
Original disc releases are easily found online and in second-hand shops. Requires a Windows 98/ME/2000/XP PC with a 3D accelerator and a sound card.
Modern Re-release
Available on Steam; currently $19.99. Runs on modern Windows systems with minor tweaks, and includes the original multiplayer.
Emulation / Other Options
Not required; runs natively on modern Windows. For legacy systems, use PCem or 86Box with a Windows XP virtual machine.
Game Record
| Platform | PC |
| Released | October 29, 2003 |
| Developer | Infinity Ward |
| Publisher | Activision |
| Genre | Shooter |
| Players | 1 Player (campaign), Multiplayer |
| Series | Call of Duty |
Call of Duty Series
Original PC Specs
| OS | Windows 98/ME/2000/XP |
| CPU | Pentium III 700 MHz or equivalent |
| RAM | 128 MB RAM |
| GPU / Display | 32 MB DirectX 9.0b compatible |
| Storage | 1.4 GB free hard drive space |
| Drive | 4x CD-ROM drive |
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