Give Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 a Go in Its PS5 Beta Next Month

Give Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 a Go in Its PS5 Beta Next Month

Activision and Infinity Ward have confirmed the schedule for the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 pre-release beta tests, which will span PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. The testing phase is divided into two distinct windows, beginning in August.

The first window, designated as the Early Access Beta, runs from August 21 to August 25. This five-day period is exclusive to players who have pre-ordered the game on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Access for these players begins immediately following the Call of Duty: NEXT global broadcast on August 21, which will feature developer insights, new reveals, and live gameplay.

The second window is the Open Beta, which runs from August 28 to September 1. This phase is open to all players regardless of pre-order status. Notably, Nintendo Switch 2 players will be able to participate in this second weekend, though they are excluded from the initial early access window. Pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch 2 version of the game are scheduled to begin on August 26.

New Modes and Gameplay Features

A primary focus of the beta is the introduction of Kill Block, a modular multiplayer map set within the West Bridge Advanced Military Training Facility. The map is designed as an adaptive live-fire training environment where sections of the battleground dynamically swap in and out between match rounds. This mode supports 10v10 Gunfight matches, intended to force players to rethink tactics frequently.

The beta will allow players to test several other elements of the game, including:

• A variety of multiplayer maps and modes, ranging from small-scale 3v3 skirmishes to tactical battles featuring tanks.
• Returning modes such as Search & Destroy and the Training Mobility Course.
• The ability to unlock up to 19 different weapons.
• A new loadout system involving a character named Gunny.

Players who pre-ordered the Vault Edition will have additional access during the beta. They can utilize the Hostile Alliance Operator Pack, featuring operators Price and Valeria (who can be masked or unmasked via emotes), as well as the Special Forces Operator Pack, which includes operators Ghost and Blix. Vault Edition users can also test five armaments from the Signature Weapon Collection, including their base weapons, Blueprints, and Apex Attachments.

Campaign and Collaborative Content

While the beta focuses on multiplayer, the Modern Warfare 4 campaign centers on a conflict between North Korea and South Korea, featuring the return of Captain Price. The game also introduces a tactical SUV called the Aston Martin Dreadnought, a collaboration between Aston Martin and Infinity Ward. The vehicle will be drivable in Call of Duty: Warzone™ and the next chapter of DMZ later this year.

Activision has also linked the new title to Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. Starting July 23, players who pre-order Modern Warfare 4 can participate in a challenge in Black Ops 7 to earn the Gilded Ruin Universal Weapon Camo. This requires earning 5,000 Skulls by eliminating enemies across Multiplayer, Zombies, Endgame, and Warzone. The first 100,000 players to complete this will receive a uniquely serialized version of the camo. Both the Gilded Ruin and the Moonlit Pearl camos will unlock for use on Modern Warfare 4 weapons upon the game's launch.

Launch and Availability

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is scheduled for global release on October 23, 2026. It will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam, Battle.net, and Xbox on PC.

However, the game will not be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch. This follows a change in Microsoft's policy implemented earlier this year, which also means Game Pass subscribers will not receive early beta access for this title.

Development is led by Infinity Ward, with the PC version optimized in partnership with Beenox and the Nintendo Switch 2 version developed natively in partnership with Digital Legends.