Activision has laid out the start dates, contents, and system requirements for the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 open beta. This pre-release version packs in several features that betas have never carried before. Players get the chance to test most of the final game’s modes.
The beta still focuses mainly on multiplayer. For the first time, though, it also includes a campaign mission. That mission is called “Entrenched.” It puts players in snowy trench warfare as a South Korean soldier during a modern-day North Korean invasion. An earlier reveal trailer already showed more globetrotting missions that star franchise regular Captain Price.
Early Access Beta Schedule and Contents
Players who pre-order get the first phase. It runs from 2 PM ET on August 21 to 1 PM on August 25. Platforms covered are Steam, Battle.net, the Microsoft Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Pre-loads open at noon on August 20.
This early access slice brings six multiplayer maps and eight modes: Team Deathmatch, Domination, Hardpoint, Kill Confirmed, Inflation, Search & Destroy, Kill Block, and Mobility Course.
Open Beta Details and Extra Content
The open beta opens to everyone the following week. It runs from 1 PM on August 28 to 1 PM on September 1. New additions include two Ground War maps, a Warzone map, two more multiplayer maps, and Nintendo Switch 2 support. Pre-orders for the Switch 2 version open at the same time beta pre-loads begin—at noon on August 26.
Nintendo Switch 2 Appearance
The open beta marks the first public look at the Nintendo Switch 2 version of the game. Pre-orders for that edition also open when the open beta pre-loads start.
PC System Requirements
Modern Warfare 4 drops support for last-generation consoles and adds new ray tracing features. Even so, the beta’s system requirements match the final specs from last year’s Black Ops 7.
Activision says the beta runs on older cards such as the AMD Radeon RX 470 and Nvidia GeForce GTX 970, as long as they have at least 3 GB of VRAM. Recommended hardware sits at an RX 6700 XT or RTX 3060 Ti with 8 GB of VRAM. TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot remain required, just like last year.
Background Shader Compilation on PC
A new PC feature cuts down the wait for shaders to compile after the first launch. The beta can compile them without the game even running. Once you install or update the beta, a Windows system tray notification appears. It tells you pre-compiling has started and shows a progress percentage.
Steam users still need to compile a few extra shaders right after boot-up. Battle.net handles the full process in the background. Activision notes that the pre-compilation uses very little system resources, so players can keep using their PCs while it finishes.
Full Game Release Platforms and Date
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 launches on October 23. It will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Battle.net, Steam, and Nintendo Switch 2.