Activision has announced the beta schedule for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. Early Access for players who preorder will run from August 21st to August 25th. The open beta, available for the first time on all platforms including Nintendo Switch 2, will run from August 28 to September 1.
The open beta does not require preorder or access code. The game is scheduled to launch on October 23. According to reports from the official Call of Duty blog and Windows Central, Activision has not yet specified a start time for the Early Access weekend, only noting that it begins shortly after this year’s Call of Duty: Next broadcast.
How to get early access to the Modern Warfare 4 beta and when does Open Weekend run
The early access period from August 21 to August 25 is only available to players who play Xbox Series X, according to Windows Central. Pre-order-based early access does not apply to Nintendo Switch 2, which is limited to the open beta weekend.
Some early access codes have also been sent to viewers of Call of Duty live stream events, including the Fanatics Fest Showcase. Activision has not announced how the beta client will be distributed. Previous Call of Duty betas, such as Black Ops 6 and Black Ops 7, were distributed via updates via the Call of Duty HQ launcher.
The open beta is free and available on Xbox Series X and S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. No preorder or code is required to access it. Players can enter via the Call of Duty HQ launcher, which must be installed before the beta begins.
This is the first time that a Call of Duty beta includes the Nintendo Switch 2.
What to expect from the Modern Warfare 4 beta and how to prepare
Call of Duty beta periods typically feature limited playlists with only the main modes available, rather than the full rotation of maps and modes planned for launch. Windows Central reports that Hardcore playlists are unlikely to be included during any beta weekends. Instead, the beta primarily serves to evaluate gunplay, movement, and map design before the game’s official release.
Activision has not released a list of maps or modes for either weekend. Based on earlier alpha builds, Windows Central notes that movement feels slower than in Black Ops 6 and Black Ops 7.
He also mentioned that weapon sight adjustments resolve gunplay problems seen in previous Modern Warfare titles. The new Kill Block map appears in promotional material for the beta.
Feedback collected during the beta period influenced the final game. For example, Treyarch adjusted door placement in Black Ops 6 following player input.
Players who want early access to the first weekend must confirm the following before August 21: Pre-order the Standard or Vault Edition on Xbox Series X and S, PlayStation 5, or PC via Steam, Battle.net, or Xbox. Switch 2 pre-order does not include early access.
Install the Call of Duty HQ launcher ahead of time, as the beta client will be distributed as an update through HQ rather than a standalone download.
Redeem any early access codes received through the Call of Duty live stream event on the platform where the beta will be played, as the codes are platform-specific. Be sure to reserve enough storage space before downloading, as previous beta clients required tens of gigabytes.
Check that your online subscription is active if necessary, as multiplayer access on console often depends on PlayStation Plus or Xbox Game Pass Core. Players who do not pre-order will only need to install Call of Duty HQ before August 28th.
Modern Warfare 4 launch date, editions and preorder bonuses
Modern Warfare 4 is developed by Infinity Ward and published by Activision. It is scheduled to launch on October 23 for Xbox Series X and S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam, Battle.net, and Xbox on PC. The Standard Edition costs $69.99, while the Vault Edition costs $99.99.
Digital pre-order will provide early access to the campaign starting on October 16, a week before the full release. The Vault Edition includes the Hostile Alliance Operator Pack, the Special Forces Operator Pack, the Signature Weapons Collection, a Season of Blacksail, and a DMZ deployment bonus.
Activision has not yet confirmed the exact start time for Early Access on August 21, nor has it revealed the download size for the beta client, or which maps and modes will be available during each weekend.
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