Everything you need to know about Call of Duty: MW 4 Beta

The countdown is over for the next evolution in first-person shooters. Infinity Ward and Activision have officially pulled back the curtain on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, revealing crucial details regarding key dates, supported platforms, PC system requirements, technical features, and launch structure.

Here is the ultimate guide to getting battle-ready for Modern Warfare 4.

1. Key Dates & Event Timeline

The rollout for Modern Warfare 4 starts with global reveals and early testing before heading into full launch.

• Call of Duty: NEXT Showcase: Friday, August 21, 2026 at 9:00 AM PT. The global hub event featuring developer insights, live gameplay, and creator broadcasts.

• Beta Weekend One (Early Access):

  • Start: August 21, 2026 at 11:00 AM PT

  • End: August 25, 2026 at 10:00 AM PT

  • Access: Available for players who pre-ordered (Standard or Vault Edition) or redeemed a promotional Beta Code.

• Beta Weekend Two (Open Beta):

  • Start: August 28, 2026 at 10:00 AM PT

  • End: September 1, 2026 at 10:00 AM PT

  • Access: Open to all players across supported platforms.

• Campaign Early Access Launch: October 16, 2026 (for digital pre-orders).

• Full Game Global Release: October 23, 2026.

2. Supported Platforms & Download Structure

Supported Platforms

• PlayStation: PlayStation 5

• Xbox: Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC

• PC: Steam, Battle.net

• Nintendo: Nintendo Switch 2 (joining starting Weekend Two of the Beta)

Decoupled Launcher & Direct Access

In a major structural shift, the Modern Warfare 4 Beta is delivered as a standalone install separate from the main Call of Duty HQ app. You do not need to cross-launch through the main application to jump into the Beta.

• Pre-loading: Opened on August 20, 2026 across Xbox, PlayStation, Steam, and Battle.net.

• Launch: When the full game launches in October, Modern Warfare 4 will reintegrate into the shared Call of Duty ecosystem alongside Call of Duty: Warzone to enable cross-progression and shared content.

3. Official PC System Requirements (Beta Specs)

To jump into the Modern Warfare 4 Beta on PC, verify that your machine meets or exceeds these baseline specs:

Mandatory Security Requirements

All PC players must have TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot enabled on Windows to access the Beta. These system-level security protections form the foundation for RICOCHET Anti-Cheat™ to protect competitive integrity. Players can run the Call of Duty Secure Attestation Wizard to verify system compliance prior to logging in.

Recommended Graphics Drivers

• NVIDIA: 610.47

• AMD: 26.7.1

• Intel: 32.0.101.8861

4. Key PC Technical Improvements

Offline Shader Preloading

Developed in collaboration between Infinity Ward and Beenox, Shader Preloading allows your PC to compile shaders in the background before launching the game, drastically reducing startup wait times and in-game performance stutters.

• Battle.net: Preloading starts automatically upon initial installation.

• Steam: Performs a brief initial compile on first boot, with offline background preloading taking full effect on subsequent updates.

Reduced “Update Requires Restart” Interruptions

Activision has revamped data patch delivery. Smaller updates and background data patches will now apply seamlessly without forcing you back to the desktop or title screen in most standard scenarios on PC and PS5.

5. What’s Included in the Beta?

• First-Ever Campaign Mission in a Beta: Play through “Entrenched,” a large-scale military operation defending a nuclear power facility.

• The Mobility Course: A dedicated training center featuring guided tutorials and timed speed runs to master MW4‘s brand-new movement mechanics.

• Multiplayer & Loadout Customization: Unlocks at Level 4, allowing up to 12 custom loadouts. For the first time, Operators are tied per-loadout, giving each custom class a distinct appearance, voice, and Finishing Move.

• Beta Level Cap & Rewards:

  • Weekend One: Level 1–20 cap (Earn rewards like the Level 20 “Dread Tiger” Operator Skin for Reece).

  • Weekend Two: Level 21–30 cap (Unlock up to Level 30 to earn the “Beta Forged” Weapon Blueprint for the Han 86 Assault Rifle).

  • All earned Beta rewards permanently transfer to your profile for the full game launch on October 23.