Some of the world’s most popular games have typically been those known for fast-paced, movie-style action. From Doom and Halo to Half-Life and Counter-Strike, the first-person shooter has been a go-to genre for casual fun both online and off. For the last 21 years, however, one franchise has sat at the top of the FPS mountain, for better and for worse, shattering countless entertainment records and becoming a global phenomenon in the process.
More than two decades after the series debut, it's hard to remember Call Of Duty’s humble beginnings dating back three gaming generations. But 20 years ago today, the first game in the series got the first of many follow-ups from a little-known studio. The success of this expansion, subtitled United Offensive, proved that even on its so-called off-years, Call Of Duty was the undisputed king of the genre. It was also the first example of how a studio could make its entries in the blockbuster series distinct from others.
