CODGHOST.NETFIELD MANUAL // 2013
CHECKED 2026-10-23

COMPARISON

Ghosts vs Modern Warfare 3 vs Black Ops II

Same series, three different years. The useful differences are the mode list and who is actually online on PC.

From my notes. The 23 October 2026 SteamCharts check used multiplayer programs: Ghosts (209170) 38 playing / 82 daily peak; Black Ops II (202990) 135 / 222; Modern Warfare 3 (42690) 114 / 220. Campaign program counts are excluded. This is one dated observation, not a current population ranking across platforms.

Release and identity

Modern Warfare 3 launched on 8 November 2011. Black Ops II launched on 13 November 2012. Ghosts launched on 5 November 2013. Ghosts is not a sequel to either of them.
Ghosts is the one with Extinction instead of Zombies, and the one whose campaign is a near-future US invasion story rather than a Captain Price or Menendez story.

Maps and the argument

People still compare Ghosts maps with Black Ops II maps. I am not going to pretend a single ranking closes that. Ghosts shipped 14 base maps plus Free Fall, then 16 DLC maps. Black Ops II's reputation in that argument is about three-lane flow. Ghosts maps are often larger.
The opinionated order for Ghosts maps alone is on the map ranking, marked as opinion.

Questions

Which had more Steam multiplayer players at the check?

Black Ops II had 135, Modern Warfare 3 (2011) 114, and Ghosts 38 on 23 October 2026. Counts change and cannot predict your region or playlist.

Which one has Zombies?

Black Ops II. Ghosts has Extinction. Modern Warfare 3 (2011) has Survival and Spec Ops, not the Cryptid mode.

Are the Steam counts the whole population?

No. They are PC players on Steam. Console players are not in those charts.

Keep reading

Call of Duty: Ghosts maps

31 MAPS

Call of Duty: Ghosts player count

STEAMCHARTS

Does Call of Duty: Ghosts have Zombies?

CORRECTION

Looking for the Modern Warfare character? See Simon "Ghost" Riley and Ghost vs Ghosts.

Sources checked 23 October 2026

Updated .