The Modern Warfare 4 Beta begins its first weekend on August 21, giving eligible players early access to the upcoming Call of Duty game ahead of its October 23 launch. Activision has revealed the content coming to Weekend One, including a playable campaign mission, new multiplayer modes, 5 maps, progression rewards, and the new Mobility Course.
The Early Access Beta runs from August 21 at 11:00 AM PT until August 25 at 10:00 AM PT. Players who want to participate can pre-load the Beta now on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, PlayStation 5, Steam and Battle.net.
Early access is available to players who have redeemed a Beta Code or pre-ordered either the Standard or Vault Edition of Modern Warfare 4. Players who pre-ordered the digital version do not need a separate Beta Code.
A second weekend will follow from August 28 at 10:00 AM PT through September 1 at 10:00 AM PT, with the level cap increasing from 20 to 30 and additional content becoming available.
One of the biggest additions to the first weekend is the campaign mission Entrenched. For the first time in Call of Duty Beta history, players can experience a complete campaign mission before the game’s launch. The mission puts players in the middle of a large-scale assault as they attempt to prevent a strategically important nuclear power station from being destroyed.
The Beta will also introduce the Mobility Course, a dedicated training area designed around Modern Warfare 4’s expanded movement and combat mechanics. Players can learn the game’s new manoeuvres through tutorials before attempting timed courses, with the option to return and improve their completion times throughout the Beta.
Multiplayer progression will allow players to advance from Level 1 to Level 20 during Weekend One. XP earned in matches unlocks weapons, equipment, Perks, Field Upgrades, Killstreaks and other gameplay content, while Create a Class becomes available at Level 4.
Players can create up to 12 custom loadouts, with each loadout receiving its own Operator alongside its weapons, equipment, Perks, Field Upgrade and Killstreak configuration. There will be 21 Operators available during the Beta, including characters tied to the Vault Edition.
Modern Warfare 4 also introduces Apex Attachments, which can be unlocked by fully levelling supported weapons. These provide additional gameplay effects without occupying a standard attachment slot. Players can also use Gunny to receive weapon build recommendations based on the attachments they have unlocked, while the Firing Range provides a place to test different setups.
Weekend One includes 19 multiplayer weapons across 9 weapon classes, although only 14 of those weapons will initially be available through standard progression. The remaining weapons unlock as the level cap increases during Weekend Two, while 3 additional weapons can be accessed through specific Default Loadouts or the Entrenched campaign mission.
The Beta’s equipment system includes 9 Tactical items, 11 Lethals and 11 Field Upgrades, with additional options unlocking during Weekend Two. Players can also equip up to 3 Killstreaks per custom loadout, with 8 of the Beta’s 17 Killstreaks available during the first weekend.
The Pick 3 Perk system lets players equip 1 Perk from each of 3 slots. There are 18 Perks planned for the Beta, with most available during Weekend One and additional options unlocked through progression during the second weekend.
Six Core 6v6 modes will be playable during Weekend One. Team Deathmatch, Domination, Hardpoint, Kill Confirmed and Search and Destroy return alongside the new Inflation mode.
Inflation introduces a new objective to the multiplayer lineup, with eliminations increasing a player’s fortune while simultaneously making them a more valuable target. The mode joins the traditional objective and tactical experiences available during the first weekend.
Players will be able to fight across 5 Core 6v6 maps: Rooftops, Silkworm, Transit 213, Cachette and Lotus. The locations range from snow-covered rooftops in New York and a South Korean shopping district to an overgrown Indian bus depot, a French rail terminal and a battle-damaged Korean fishing village.
Kill Block will provide another multiplayer experience, with the combat area changing every 2 rounds. The space is built from interconnected Slabs, with each new combination also introducing a randomised shared loadout.
Gunfight will be available in both its traditional 3v3 format and a new 10v10 variant exclusive to Kill Block. Teams must eliminate their opponents or capture the Overtime Flag to win each round.
Players can also earn rewards by progressing through both Beta weekends. Reaching Level 20 during Weekend One unlocks the first 5 Beta Rewards, including the Dread Tiger Operator Skin for Reece. Continuing to Level 30 during Weekend Two unlocks the remaining rewards, including the Beta Forged Weapon Blueprint for the Han 86 Assault Rifle.
The rewards include Emblems, a Weapon Charm, a Weapon Sticker, a Calling Card, an Operator Skin, an Epic Spray, an Epic Loading Screen and the Weapon Blueprint. Any Beta Rewards earned will be available in the full game when Modern Warfare 4 launches.
Additional cosmetic rewards can be earned through other Beta activities, including a Mobility Course challenge that rewards the Clockwork Charm. Twitch Drops will also be available for viewers who link their Activision and Twitch accounts.
Watching Call of Duty: NEXT for 15, 30 and 45 minutes will respectively unlock the Gas Ready Emblem, Rapple Repel Calling Card and Ghost Helmet Charm. Separate Modern Warfare 4 Beta Twitch Drops include the Get Tactical Emblem, Clearing House Calling Card and Action Ready Charm at the same viewing intervals.
Call of Duty: NEXT itself will take place on August 21 at 9:00 AM PT, ahead of the Early Access Beta launching at 11:00 AM PT.
Weekend Two will also introduce Call of Duty: Warzone Resurgence to the Beta. Players will be able to fight across the new Zodiac map, which is set around the DRC Advanced Systems drone assembly and manufacturing headquarters, with offices, rooftops, tunnels and surrounding shoreline areas to explore.
Modern Warfare 4 is scheduled to launch globally on October 23 for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC and Nintendo Switch 2. The Nintendo Switch 2 version is being developed natively by Infinity Ward in partnership with Digital Legends.
