Modern Warfare 4 Beta Details Include Campaign, Warzone, and New Modes

Activision has revealed the complete content lineup for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's two Beta weekends, and the preview is broader than a standard multiplayer test. Alongside familiar competitive modes, players will be able to try a campaign mission, an expanded selection of multiplayer content, and a new Warzone Resurgence map during the second weekend.

What happened

The Early Access Beta runs from August 21 to 25 and becomes available after the Call of Duty NEXT showcase. It is reserved for players who pre-ordered Modern Warfare 4 on PC, PlayStation 5, or Xbox Series X/S. This first test includes nine multiplayer modes and six maps. Team Deathmatch and Domination represent the expected staples, while Kill Block is among the less familiar additions. Five of the six maps are new to the franchise.

The headline feature is access to the campaign. For the first time in Call of Duty history, a Beta will include a playable story mission. The mission, titled “Entrenched,” will be available during both Beta weekends, giving players an early look at the campaign before the game's October 23 release.

Why it matters

The Beta is positioned as more than a narrow stress test for Modern Warfare 4's core multiplayer. The campaign preview gives players an early impression of the game's single-player direction, while the unusually broad multiplayer lineup should provide a clearer sense of how the new release is shaping its competitive foundation.

The second weekend also expands the audience. The Open Beta takes place from August 28 to September 1 on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2. It retains the Early Access content but replaces the Lotus map with Lithium. Hijack and Combat Outpost join the multiplayer rotation, adding two more modes for players to evaluate.

For the wider Call of Duty scene, the timing is significant. Call of Duty NEXT will serve as the public introduction to much of this material, with more than 1,000 global creators attending in person or remotely. That gives competitive players, streamers, and viewers an early opportunity to assess the game's systems before launch.

What to watch next

The most notable addition in the Open Beta is Zodiac, a new Warzone Resurgence map. Its inclusion broadens the test beyond the traditional Modern Warfare multiplayer package and connects the upcoming release to Call of Duty's ongoing battle royale ecosystem.

Modern Warfare 4 is a direct follow-up to 2023's Modern Warfare 3 and is set against a conflict between North and South Korea. The Beta will therefore be an important first public checkpoint for both its campaign presentation and its multiplayer identity. Players should compare how the map swap, extra modes, and Resurgence content change the experience between weekends rather than treating the two tests as identical.

Key Beta takeaways

• Early Access runs from August 21 to 25 for eligible pre-order customers on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
• The first weekend features nine multiplayer modes, six maps, and the Entrenched campaign mission.
• The Open Beta runs from August 28 to September 1 and adds Nintendo Switch 2 support.
• Lithium replaces Lotus, while Hijack and Combat Outpost expand the second weekend's multiplayer content.
• Zodiac is the new Warzone Resurgence map arriving during the Open Beta.

Modern Warfare 4 Beta schedule

Expert View

The strongest decision here is making the Beta a meaningful cross-section of Modern Warfare 4 rather than limiting it to familiar multiplayer playlists. Campaign access and Zodiac give different parts of the Call of Duty audience a reason to participate, while the map rotation and added modes should generate useful discussion before launch. The key question is whether this breadth produces a convincing first impression or leaves players waiting for the full game to reveal how all of these pieces fit together.