Captain Price
Iconic SAS captain and Task Force 141 operative.
Captain John Price is a central figure in Activision's *Call of Duty* video game franchise. He debuted in *Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare* (2007) as a captain in the 22nd SAS Regiment and subsequently became part of the multinational Task Force 141. Price has featured in every installment of both the original *Modern Warfare* trilogy and its reboot series, which launched in 2019 with *Call of Duty: Modern Warfare*. He is frequently cited as the franchise's most recognizable character and is often ranked among the most iconic video game characters ever created.
The character's design draws from an earlier Captain Price who appeared in the World War II-set *Call of Duty* (2003) and *Call of Duty 2* (2005), where the original Price died aboard a Nazi battleship. For the 2007 reboot, Infinity Ward gave him a fresh look, aiming to make him appear as a distinct character whose heroism would be defined by his actions. His beard was made scruffy to suit his face and add a grizzled quality. His face is asymmetrical, with a receding hairline and a bald spot. Much effort went into his eyes and boonie hat, creating a thousand-yard stare with a shadow cast by the hat's deformed brim. According to character designer Sami Onur, Price is the grandson of the original *Call of Duty* Captain Price, though this has never been officially confirmed. In the original trilogy, Billy Murray provided his voice; in the reboot series, Barry Sloane voices and performs motion capture for the character.
In the original trilogy, Price first appears in *Call of Duty 4* as the commanding officer of the 22nd SAS, overseeing protagonist Sergeant John "Soap" MacTavish. Players control Price in two missions set in 1996, where he, as a lieutenant under Captain MacMillan, attempts to assassinate antagonist Imran Zakhaev. Price is severely wounded in the final standoff, but Soap kills Zakhaev. Between games, Price joins Task Force 141 under General Shepherd. After the ultranationalists win the Russian Civil War and canonize Zakhaev, Price is imprisoned as Prisoner #627. In *Modern Warfare 2*, set five years later, Soap frees Price from a gulag in Kamchatka. Price rejoins Task Force 141 to hunt Vladimir Makarov, but he disobeys orders by launching a nuclear ICBM over the East Coast, helping the U.S. retake Washington D.C.
Quick Facts
- Series
- Call of Duty
- First Game
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
- Voice
- Billy Murray (2007–2011) / Barry Sloane (2019–present)
- Title
- Lieutenant (1996) / Captain
- Nationality
- English
- Affiliation
- British Army (22nd SAS Regiment) / Task Force 141
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Captain Price first appears in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare as the commanding officer of the 22nd Special Air Service Regiment, investigating a civil war in Russia. In two missions, the player controls Price as a Lieutenant in 1996 attempting to assassinate antagonist Imran Zakhaev. In the final mission, Price is heavily injured but Soap kills Zakhaev. Between games, Price joins Task Force 141, is later arrested, and given prisoner number 627. In Modern Warfare 2, Soap helps him escape a gulag in Kamchatka Krai, Russia. Price rejoins Task Force 141, launches an ICBM over the East Coast of the United States, and later battles General Shepherd, who frames Price and Soap as war criminals. In Modern Warfare 3, Price is a fugitive hunting Vladimir Makarov; Soap dies revealing Makarov knows Yuri. Price eventually hangs Makarov from a hotel ceiling, ending his reign.
Reader's Guide
Captain Price is widely regarded as the most iconic character in the Call of Duty series, with critics and reader polls ranking him among the best video game characters of all time. His design, including a thousand-yard stare, weathered boonie hat, and receding hairline, was overhauled from the original 2003 character. Infinity Ward community manager Robert Bowling stated the team wanted to give Price 'a fresh new look' and make his actions 'make him a hero.' The character's voice actors—Billy Murray in the original trilogy and Barry Sloane in the reboot—have contributed to his enduring presence. Price appears in every game of both the original and reboot Modern Warfare sub-series, as well as in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Call of Duty: Online. His legacy is cemented by his role as a central figure across multiple storylines, and his design is noted for never feeling lost in the crowd.
Did You Know?
- Captain Price is based on a character of the same name from the original Call of Duty (2003), set in World War II.
- According to Infinity Ward character designer Sami Onur, Captain Price is the grandson of the original Captain Price, though this has never been officially confirmed.
- In the reboot series, starting with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019), Price is voiced by Barry Sloane, who also does motion capturing for the character.
- Price's design includes a thousand-yard stare, a weathered boonie hat, and a receding hairline.
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