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. The full game is scheduled for midnight local time, while digital preorders include Campaign Early Access beginning October 16. It will not launch on Game Pass.

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.

When does Modern Warfare 4 Campaign Early Access begin?

Players who digitally preorder the Standard Edition or Vault Edition can begin the full campaign on October 16, one week before the complete game launches. The benefit applies on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Battle.net, Steam and Nintendo Switch 2.

Activision has confirmed the date but has not published one universal Campaign Early Access hour. The company also warns that actual play time can vary with platform availability, time-zone differences and service outages.

Campaign Early Access is different from the August beta. The beta was a limited test that included multiplayer and selected content; progress and access from that event do not replace ownership of the final game.

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. The official preorder guide states this directly. Xbox Cloud Gaming can be used with a purchased copy where supported, but the game purchase is still required.

Game Pass subscribers who played an eligible previous Call of Duty may qualify for a 10% loyalty discount on the Vault Edition, but that promotion is not the same as Game Pass access to Modern Warfare 4.

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?

On PC, preload begins October 15 at 9:00 a.m. PT for digital prepurchases on Xbox on PC, Battle.net and Steam. That download covers Campaign Early Access beginning the next day and the full October 23 launch.

Activision has not yet published an equivalent final-game preload schedule for every console in one place. Do not confuse August beta preload dates with the full game. Console buyers should rely on the date displayed in their platform library.

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?

No. Campaign Early Access is listed for digital preorders and prepurchases. Physical preorders received beta access, but that was a separate 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 Switch 2 version includes the Campaign, Multiplayer and DMZ.

This guide will be updated if Activision publishes console preload times or revises the launch rollout.

Will you start with the campaign during Early Access, or wait for multiplayer and DMZ on October 23?