The Call of Duty: Black Ops series has been a cornerstone of the gaming world, offering players a rich, immersive experience with each new installment. The series, developed by Treyarch and published by Activision, has seen numerous releases over the years, each with its own unique storyline, multiplayer modes, and gameplay mechanics. For fans and newcomers alike, keeping track of the release dates of these games can be essential. Here are the release dates for the mainline Black Ops games:
Call of Duty: Black Ops Release Dates

The first game in the series, Call of Duty: Black Ops, was released on November 9, 2010, for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Microsoft Windows. This game set the stage for the series, introducing players to the Cold War era and a gripping storyline that explored the darker aspects of warfare.
Black Ops II and Its Impact
Call of Duty: Black Ops II, released on November 12, 2012, for the same platforms as its predecessor, marked a significant shift in the series. It introduced a futuristic setting, branching storylines, and a revamped multiplayer experience. This game was also released for the Wii U on November 18, 2012.
Black Ops III and Beyond

Call of Duty: Black Ops III, released on November 6, 2015, continued the trend of innovation, offering a campaign with a strong focus on player choice and a significantly enhanced multiplayer mode. This game was available for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows.
Black Ops 4: A New Direction
Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, launched on October 12, 2018, for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows, took a bold step by omitting a traditional single-player campaign, instead focusing on multiplayer and the new battle royale mode, Blackout. This decision marked a significant departure from the series’ traditional format.
Black Ops Cold War
The latest installment in the series, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, was released on November 13, 2020, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Microsoft Windows. This game returned to the series’ roots, offering a single-player campaign set during the Cold War, along with enhanced multiplayer modes and the integration of Warzone, the series’ battle royale component.
Key Points
- Call of Duty: Black Ops was released on November 9, 2010.
- Call of Duty: Black Ops II was released on November 12, 2012.
- Call of Duty: Black Ops III was released on November 6, 2015.
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 was released on October 12, 2018.
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War was released on November 13, 2020.
What was the release date of the first Black Ops game?
+The first Call of Duty: Black Ops game was released on November 9, 2010.
Which Black Ops game introduced a futuristic setting?
+Call of Duty: Black Ops II was the first in the series to introduce a futuristic setting, released on November 12, 2012.
What was unique about Call of Duty: Black Ops 4?
+Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 was unique because it did not include a traditional single-player campaign, focusing instead on multiplayer and the Blackout battle royale mode, released on October 12, 2018.