Ethan Crossfield 
Players curious about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 can currently try its expanded DMZ extraction mode without buying the full game. The offer is tied to the start of Season 1 and gives newcomers a short window to test the mode's progression, deployments, and high-risk encounters before deciding whether the $69.99 release is worth the investment.
What is included in the free DMZ trial
The trial unlocks the complete Modern Warfare 4 version of DMZ, rather than a small introductory slice. Players can enter Hajin, an exclusion zone populated by AI enemies and other players, take on objectives, collect gear, and attempt to extract safely. Season 1 also adds X01, an underground weapons facility built around tight tunnels, hostile encounters, and new equipment. DMZ Orders and Threat Assessments provide additional objectives and rewards, while the Forward Operating Base supports preparation and inventory management between deployments. The mode now has its own progression and persistent inventory systems, making it a more involved extraction experience than the version first introduced with 2022's Modern Warfare 2.
Who can play and what remains locked
The DMZ free trial is available through dedicated storefront listings on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch 2, and PC. Players do not need to own Modern Warfare 4 to access DMZ during the promotion. However, the offer does not unlock the single-player campaign or the game's traditional multiplayer playlists. Anyone looking to play the cinematic story or standard competitive modes will still need to purchase the full release. That distinction matters for players considering the trial as a broad Modern Warfare 4 demo: it is specifically an opportunity to evaluate DMZ, not the entire package.
When the offer ends and what to expect next
Activision says the promotion runs until November 11 at 10 AM PT, or 1 PM ET. No extension has been announced, so access is expected to return to the full game's ownership requirement once the deadline passes. The timing coincides with Modern Warfare 4's first major seasonal update, which also expands multiplayer, introduces more DMZ activities, and adds full Warzone integration. DMZ has received attention for its larger scope and deeper extraction systems, although some players have objected to frequent PvP pressure and the lack of a dedicated PvE-only option. Those concerns could still be addressed in later updates, but no specific changes have been confirmed.
What players should know
- DMZ is free to access until November 11 at 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET.
- The trial is available on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch 2, and PC.
- Campaign and standard multiplayer are not part of the promotion.
- Progression, persistent inventory, Hajin, X01, Orders, and Threat Assessments are included in the DMZ experience.
- Activision has not announced plans to extend the free-access period.
Expert View
This is a useful trial for fans of extraction shooters or players who want to see how far DMZ has evolved since its 2022 debut. It is less valuable as a general Modern Warfare 4 test because the campaign and standard multiplayer remain unavailable. Players who dislike unpredictable PvP-heavy extraction matches may want to wait for future updates, while everyone else should use the limited window to judge whether DMZ's deeper progression loop suits them.
