Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Complete FAQ: Release Time, Early Access, Game Pass and Preload

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 launches October 23, 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC. Campaign Early Access is live now with all 16 missions for eligible digital preorders. DMZ Early Access begins October 20, the full game unlocks at midnight local time on October 23, and Game Pass access is not planned until Holiday 2027.

Updated October 17, 2026: This FAQ was updated for the live Campaign Early Access period, active PC preload, October 20 DMZ Early Access, launch timing, and the latest official Game Pass information.

When does Modern Warfare 4 come out?

Modern Warfare 4 releases worldwide on Friday, October 23, 2026. Activision says the full game becomes available at midnight local time, so October 23 begins at different moments depending on region rather than through a single simultaneous global unlock.

The US PlayStation Store lists 4:00 a.m. UTC, equivalent to midnight Eastern Time on October 23 and 9:00 p.m. Pacific Time on October 22. Players should follow the countdown shown by their own platform account, since regional storefront timing can differ.

Is Modern Warfare 4 Campaign Early Access live?

Yes. Activision confirmed that Campaign Early Access went live on October 16. Eligible players can access the entire 16-mission campaign, not a preview or a limited selection of missions.

The benefit applies to digital preorders and prepurchases of the Standard Digital Edition or Vault Edition on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Battle.net, Steam, and Nintendo Switch 2. Campaign Early Access remains available until the full game launches on October 23. Campaign completion rewards become usable in Multiplayer and DMZ when those modes are available.

When does Modern Warfare 4 DMZ Early Access begin?

DMZ Early Access begins Tuesday, October 20, for eligible digital preorders and prepurchases. Activision says the benefit opens all of DMZ on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Battle.net, Steam, and Nintendo Switch 2. The company has not published one universal start hour and notes that actual play time can vary by platform, time zone, and service availability.

This is separate from Campaign Early Access. The campaign became available on October 16, DMZ follows on October 20, and the complete game launches on October 23. Activision’s official DMZ guide explains the early-access requirement and the mode’s current systems.

What platforms is Modern Warfare 4 on?

• PlayStation 5
• Xbox Series X|S
• Nintendo Switch 2
• Xbox on PC
• Battle.net
• Steam

There are no PS4 or Xbox One versions. Xbox purchases support Xbox Play Anywhere, giving one digital purchase access on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC. Infinity Ward leads development, Beenox leads the optimized PC version and Digital Legends is partnering with Infinity Ward on the native Nintendo Switch 2 version.

Nintendo says multiplayer supports cross-play and cross-progression, along with optional Joy-Con 2 mouse controls. The game requires an Activision account, and online console multiplayer may require the relevant platform subscription.

Is Modern Warfare 4 on Game Pass?

No. Modern Warfare 4 will not be available through Game Pass at launch. Activision’s October 15 update says the game must be purchased separately and will not enter Game Pass until Holiday 2027. That is an announced seasonal window, not an exact date.

Xbox Cloud Gaming can be used with a purchased copy where supported, but that does not make the game part of the Game Pass catalog. Game Pass Ultimate continues to include selected older Call of Duty releases. The 10% Vault Edition loyalty discount for eligible previous Call of Duty owners is also separate from Game Pass access.

Modern Warfare 4 editions and prices

Vault Edition content includes the Hostile Alliance Operator Pack, Special Forces Operator Pack, five Signature Weapon Collection blueprints, one season of BlackCell and a DMZ Deployment Bonus. The Vault Edition is digital only. Activision lists physical Standard editions for PS5 and Xbox Series X on disc; there is no PC physical version.

What are the preorder bonuses?

Digital preorders receive Campaign Early Access and the Hunter Killer Operator Skin, which unlocks immediately in Black Ops 7 and Warzone and becomes available in Modern Warfare 4 at launch. Activision also added Moonlit Pearl and Gilded Ruin weapon-camo rewards tied to a Black Ops 7 challenge. Availability and redemption conditions vary, so buyers should check the official preorder guide before purchase.

When can Modern Warfare 4 be preloaded?

PC preload is available now. It began October 15 at 9:00 a.m. PT for digital prepurchases through Xbox on PC, Battle.net, and Steam. The download supports the live Campaign Early Access period and the October 23 full launch.

Activision has not published one consolidated final-game preload time for every console. Console buyers should use the date shown in their platform library and should not confuse the expired August beta preload with the full-game download.

How large is Modern Warfare 4?

The official PC requirements call for 115 GB of SSD space. The final installed size can change with selectable content packs and launch updates, and Activision has not confirmed one universal console download size. The Nintendo Switch 2, PS5 and Xbox store downloads may therefore differ from the PC requirement.

Modern Warfare 4 PC system requirements

PC also requires broadband internet, TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. Intel Arc GPUs require Resizable BAR. For the detailed ray-tracing tier and technical notes, see Activision’s official PC specification article and our breakdown of the Modern Warfare 4 PC requirements.

What modes are in Modern Warfare 4?

Modern Warfare 4 includes a single-player Campaign, competitive Multiplayer and a new DMZ extraction experience. Activision has not announced a Zombies mode for this release, so Zombies should not be assumed from other Call of Duty entries.

The campaign follows a North Korean invasion of South Korea while Captain Price wages an off-book war elsewhere. Our Modern Warfare 4 campaign story recap covers the setup leading into the new game.

The beta has already ended; our earlier report recorded its September 1 closing time. The full release does not reuse that beta access window.

How does Modern Warfare 4 connect to Warzone?

Modern Warfare 4 remains part of the connected Call of Duty experience. Its weapons, Operators and seasonal progression begin integrating with Warzone in Season 1. Warzone remains a separate free-to-play download, and owning Modern Warfare 4 is not required to play it.

Watch the official Modern Warfare 4 PC trailer

Modern Warfare 4 FAQ

Does the physical Standard Edition include Campaign Early Access or DMZ Early Access?

No. Both Campaign Early Access and DMZ Early Access are listed for eligible digital preorders and prepurchases. Physical preorder beta access was a separate, expired benefit.

Is Modern Warfare 4 on PS4 or Xbox One?

No. It is a current-generation release for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC.

Does Modern Warfare 4 have crossplay?

Yes. Official Nintendo information confirms cross-play and cross-progression for multiplayer.

Is Nintendo Switch 2 getting the full campaign?

Yes. Activision says the native Nintendo Switch 2 version includes Campaign, Multiplayer, and DMZ. Eligible digital preorders also receive Campaign and DMZ Early Access.

When does Modern Warfare 4 come to Game Pass?

Activision says Modern Warfare 4 will not be included with Game Pass until Holiday 2027. No exact date within that window has been announced.

This guide will be updated if Activision publishes consolidated console preload times, an exact Holiday 2027 Game Pass date, or revisions to the launch rollout.

Are you playing the campaign now, jumping into DMZ on October 20, or waiting for the full October 23 launch?