Preview guide
MW4: release date and early access at a glance
Modern Warfare 4 launches Friday, October 23, 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2. Eligible digital preorders provide access to the campaign on October 16, followed by DMZ on October 20. On PC, preload is scheduled for October 15 at 6 PM (Paris time). The game requires 115 GB on SSD and is not included in Game Pass at launch. Sources: Activision, DMZ (October 9) and Activision, PC and preload (September 29).Pre-release guide, updated October 12, 2026 from Activision announcements and official stores. This is not a review of the final game. Times and availability may vary depending on platform, region and access conditions.
Activision's FPS also arrives during a busy period: see our selection of October 2026 video game releases to place it in the month's full schedule.MW4: what is the release date on PS5, Xbox, PC and Switch 2?
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 launches Friday, October 23, 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam, Battle.net and Xbox on PC) and Nintendo Switch 2. No PS4, Xbox One or original Switch version has been announced.Campaign on the 16th, DMZ on the 20th, full game on October 23
| Event | Date | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| PC preload | October 15, 6 PM (Paris) | Eligible PC digital prepurchase |
| Campaign early access | October 16 | Eligible digital preorder or prepurchase |
| DMZ early access | October 20 | Eligible Standard or Vault digital editions |
| Full release | October 23 | Normal access to the purchased game |
What time does MW4 launch in France?
Activision states that the PC version launches on October 23 at midnight local time. The French PlayStation Store displayed equivalent availability at midnight in mainland France, during the night of October 22 to 23. However, check the time shown on your platform's store before launch.How do you preload Modern Warfare 4 on PC?
The PC preload begins Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 6 PM Paris time for eligible digital purchases. It applies to the PC environments announced by Activision; console conditions and schedules should be checked separately. Sources: official PC announcement; DMZ and campaign early-access conditions.What story does the MW4 campaign tell?
📺 TGS 2026 event: Watch the single-player campaign trailer revealed during the Xbox Tokyo Game Show 2026 Broadcast.
A new perspective on the conflict
The campaign begins with a fictional conflict on the Korean Peninsula. Players notably take the role of Park, a young South Korean soldier thrown into a war that quickly goes far beyond the scope of his unit. Activision says the campaign will alternate between frontline chaos, urban operations and more covert missions.
What role will Captain Price play?
Captain Price returns with a more personal storyline. According to the Xbox Wire campaign presentation, the character operates outside official structures, hunted by his enemies and driven by a quest for revenge. For series veterans, he is the obvious continuity thread; for new players, that should not prevent them from understanding MW4's starting point. However, a launch article should avoid over-summarizing previous games. One paragraph of context is enough, with a clear warning before any major revelations about older titles.What will need to be judged with the controller in hand
On paper, the campaign promises varied pacing: trenches, night raids, chases, urban combat and larger-scale operations. These are staging intentions, not yet a guarantee of quality. The real criteria will come with the review: objective clarity, mission pacing, character weight, variety of situations and the game's ability to give meaning to its spectacular escalation.What new features change multiplayer?
Gunplay and movement
Modern Warfare 4 multiplayer is presented as a return to more grounded combat, with a strong focus on shooting precision and movement transitions. Activision highlights Ballistic Authority, a set of systems designed to make gunfire more consistent with weapon position, bullet trajectories, recoil, audio and target visibility. Put simply: the studio wants to reduce the feeling of randomness and make duels easier to read. That is an interesting promise for competitive players. The beta can reveal trends, but the real verdict will come after several weeks of matches on the final maps, with the full arsenal and post-launch tuning.Classic maps and Kill Block
Modern Warfare 4 is expected to offer 12 main 6v6 maps at launch, in addition to spaces dedicated to Gunfight, large-scale modes and Kill Block. So it would be inaccurate to write that the game only has 12 maps in total: those 12 refer to the Core 6v6 map pool. Kill Block is the other idea worth watching. This modular arena in the Westbridge Training Facility can reconfigure its sections between rounds, with more than 500 announced combinations. On paper, that could refresh routines and limit memorized positions. In practice, everything will depend on readability: a changing space is stimulating if it remains understandable, frustrating if it feels like it breaks the process of learning a map.Classes, Gunny and progression
The class system brings operator, weapons, equipment and scorestreaks together in a more direct loadout. Gunsmith returns, accompanied by Gunny, a tool presented as an aid for configuring weapons according to playstyle and unlocked attachments. It is better not to call it a chatbot without evidence: at this stage, the reliable information is that it helps generate practical weapon setups. The Apex Attachments extend progression for fully upgraded weapons, with modifications capable of changing how they behave. Finally, Prestige comes in two paths: a classic approach with Create-a-Class progression relocked, and a more flexible route that lets players keep their loadouts. This distinction may appeal to players who enjoy long-term progression without wanting to rebuild their classes after every reset.| System | Player problem addressed | Testing required |
|---|---|---|
| Ballistic Authority | Make duels more predictable and gunfire less opaque. | Measure how consistent it feels across several weapons and ranges. |
| Kill Block | Refresh sightlines and positioning choices. | Check whether configurations remain readable in ranked or competitive play. |
| Gunny | Help players create an effective weapon without knowing every attachment. | Compare its suggestions with builds tested by the community. |
| Two Prestige paths | Combine long-term progression with convenience. | Check XP pacing and the actual value of rewards. |
Collateral: a tactical round-based economy mode
Activision has introduced Collateral, a new mode with two bomb sites where equipment is purchased between rounds. Players start with a pistol and build their economy based on performance. There are no standard respawns, no automatic health regeneration, no usual killstreaks and no custom loadouts: a more tactical direction whose balance will need to be tested at launch. Source: Activision, PC features and Collateral.DMZ in Modern Warfare 4: early access, Hajin map and progression
DMZ gets early access on October 20, 2026 for players who preordered or prepurchased an eligible Standard or Vault digital edition. It is an extraction mode separate from Warzone: operators enter a hostile zone, complete missions, recover gear and must reach an extraction point.Hajin, the DMZ map: points of interest, enemies and vehicles
In its official guide dated October 5, Activision details Hajin, its exclusion zone, buildings, points of interest, vehicles and threats. Encounters mix AI-controlled soldiers with other human operators. The HUD, tactical map and end-of-deployment report are used to track objectives and progression.
Forward Operating Base: how does the FOB work?
The official guide dated October 9 details the Forward Operating Base (FOB). Between deployments, this base lets players prepare loadouts, store extracted loot, manage Active Duty Operators and accept new missions.| System | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Orders | Progression objectives and missions |
| Stash / Loadouts | Store loot and assemble loadouts |
| Active Duty Operators | Manage active operators and their progression |
| 3D Printer | Craft equipment and upgrade certain stations |
| Boss Board | Track dangerous targets and their bounties |
| Deployment | Prepare the next trip into the exclusion zone |
Crafting, risk and progression up to level 70
The 3D Printer uses resources recovered in the field, notably divided into synthetic, electronic, chemical and metallic materials. The studio also presents base upgrades, permanent progression, Operator Prestige and a DMZ progression system up to level 70. XP can increase even without a successful extraction, but gear at risk and inventory rules need to be examined depending on the type of item. Playing solo means entering a shared environment alone, not playing an offline campaign. Sources: Activision, Hajin (October 5); Activision, FOB and early access (October 9).MW4 and Warzone: what is the difference?
Modern Warfare 4 and Call of Duty: Warzone share the Call of Duty ecosystem, but they serve different purposes. MW4 is the premium game with campaign, multiplayer and DMZ. Warzone remains the free-to-play battle royale experience, with MW4 content integration announced starting with Season 1.| Experience | Purchase or access required | Schedule | Progression |
|---|---|---|---|
| MW4 Campaign | MW4 purchase | October 16 for eligible digital early access, October 23 for full launch | Progression specific to the single-player mode, details expected in the final terms |
| MW4 Multiplayer | MW4 purchase, network subscription required on console | October 23, 2026 | Call of Duty/weapon progression announced, details to verify at launch |
| DMZ | Tied to MW4 in launch announcements | October 20 for eligible digital early access; October 23 for all buyers | Progression between deployments, inventory and FOB |
| Warzone | Separate free-to-play access, depending on compatible platforms | MW4 integration with Season 1, exact date pending | Seasonal content and progression to be tracked category by category |
Which edition should you choose and what budget should you expect?
Two digital editions and one standard physical edition
Activision officially distinguishes three formats: the Digital Standard Edition, the Digital Vault Edition and the Physical Standard Edition. The Vault Edition is digital only and notably adds operator packs, a signature weapon collection, Black Cell for one season and a DMZ deployment bonus. The physical Standard Edition is announced for PS5 and Xbox Series X, with a Switch 2 version planned through retailers; no physical PC version is offered.Source: official overview of Modern Warfare 4 editions.
The right question is therefore not only "which edition is the most complete?", but "do I really need cosmetic and progression bonuses at launch?" For someone mainly interested in the campaign or a few multiplayer evenings, the Standard Edition may be enough. For a player deeply invested in Call of Duty, the Vault Edition may make sense, provided those additional contents are valuable to them.France prices observed on September 23, 2026 (to be rechecked)
| Store | Platform | Edition | Displayed price incl. tax | Checked on |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PlayStation Store France | PS5 | Standard | 79.99 euros | 23/09/2026 |
| PlayStation Store France | PS5 | Vault | 109.99 euros | 23/09/2026 |
| Xbox Store France | Xbox Series X|S | Standard | From 79.99 euros | 23/09/2026 |
| Xbox Store France | Xbox Series X|S | Vault | From 109.99 euros | 23/09/2026 |
| Xbox Store France | Windows PC | Standard | From 69.99 euros | 23/09/2026 |
| Xbox Store France | Windows PC | Vault | From 99.99 euros | 23/09/2026 |
| Nintendo France | Nintendo Switch 2 | Standard and Vault | French price to be checked in the eShop before publication | 23/09/2026 |
Prices observed on September 23, 2026 in French stores. They are provided for guidance only: recheck prices and promotions on PlayStation France and Xbox France before purchasing.
Prices can change, and some listings display wording such as "from" or conditions related to in-game purchases. For affiliate links, add Game.fr's required editorial disclosure and use the appropriate attributes, includingrel="sponsored" for paid links.
Game Pass and multiplayer subscriptions
Modern Warfare 4 will not be included in Game Pass at launch. Activision uses this exact time window. The Xbox France listing also states that the game can be launched via cloud with certain Game Pass subscriptions, but that purchasing the game is still required. Cloud access, network subscription and catalog inclusion therefore do not mean the same thing.Sources: official Activision guide and Xbox France listing.
On consoles, online play also requires the relevant subscription: PS Plus on PS5, Game Pass Essential/Core or Ultimate depending on the Xbox ecosystem, and Nintendo Switch Online on Switch 2. Connection or Activision account requirements for the single-player campaign should be checked again in the final terms.Final Modern Warfare 4 PC requirements: 115 GB, 90 FPS and ray tracing
Activision published the launch system requirements on September 29, replacing the beta's provisional requirements. The announced storage requirement is 115 GB on SSD in all three categories, excluding any additional downloads.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended (90 FPS multi) | 4K ray tracing with upscaling |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Up-to-date Windows 10 64-bit | Up-to-date Windows 11 64-bit | Up-to-date Windows 11 64-bit |
| CPU | Ryzen 5 1400 / Core i5-6600 | Ryzen 5 3600 / Core i7-8700K | Ryzen 7 3700X / Core i7-10700K |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | 32 GB |
| AMD GPU | RX 470 | RX 6600 XT | RX 9070 XT |
| NVIDIA GPU | GTX 970 / 1060 | RTX 3060 Ti | RTX 5070 Ti |
| Intel GPU | Arc A580 | Arc B580 | Not specified |
| VRAM | 3 GB | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage | 115 GB on SSD | ||
DLSS, FSR, XeSS and performance
Beenox and Infinity Ward announce upscaling technologies including DLSS 4.5, FSR Redstone and XeSS 3, depending on graphics card compatibility. Ray tracing is announced for the campaign, multiplayer and DMZ; the recommended configuration targets 90 frames per second in multiplayer at high settings, not necessarily 90 FPS in every situation.PC installation and updates
Activision also presents Advanced Shader Delivery, which delivers precompiled shaders on compatible PCs, as well as improvements to startup and update management. These features may vary depending on your environment. Source: Activision, PC trailer and final requirements (September 29).What should you take away from the beta, and what still needs to be verified?
Beta over: final system requirements are now known
The Modern Warfare 4 beta took place in two stages: early access from August 21, 2026 for eligible players, followed by an open beta from August 28 to September 1. It is therefore no longer a way to try the game today. Cosmetic rewards earned during the beta should be tied to the Activision account and available at launch, while beta rank progression and gameplay unlocks do not carry over.Source: official open beta schedule and rules.
For readers arriving after the fact, the beta is mainly useful for understanding the systems shown: weapons, movement, available maps, Kill Block, temporary progression and initial preload rules. It should not be used as definitive proof of stability or balance.What we will be watching at launch
At release, the points to watch will be familiar but decisive: server stability, matchmaking quality, visual clarity, effect noise, anti-cheat handling, accessibility, monetization and progression pacing. For DMZ, the real cost of a failed extraction will also matter. For the campaign, pacing and writing will need to be judged. For Warzone, it will be better to wait for Season 1 details rather than infer the schedule from previous entries.Who could Modern Warfare 4 suit?
Modern Warfare 4 may appeal to three audiences for different reasons. Campaign fans will mainly look at how Park, Captain Price and the fictional conflict in Korea are handled. Multiplayer players will want to know whether Ballistic Authority, the 12 6v6 maps and Kill Block genuinely improve duel readability. Extraction fans will keep an eye on DMZ, its persistent inventory and the tension between risk and reward. A universal recommendation would not be very useful here. The best choice is to decide according to the mode that truly interests you, then wait for final information on launch times, installation size, performance and progression rules if those points affect your purchase.MW4 FAQ: release date, preload and early access
What is the MW4 release date?
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 launches on Friday, October 23, 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2.What time does MW4 launch in France?
Activision says the PC version launches on October 23 at midnight local time. Check your platform's store for the exact time.When does MW4 campaign early access begin?
October 16, 2026, for eligible digital preorders and prepurchases.When does DMZ early access begin?
October 20, 2026, for buyers of an eligible Standard or Vault digital edition.When does MW4 PC preload begin?
October 15 at 6 PM Paris time according to Activision, for eligible PC digital purchases.How many GB does MW4 require on PC?
The official requirements call for 115 GB of SSD space, with additional updates potentially adding more.Is MW4 included in Game Pass?
Not at launch. Cloud access, where available, does not mean inclusion in the catalog: purchasing the game may still be required.Is MW4 coming to PS4, Xbox One or Nintendo Switch 1?
No. None of those older platforms has been announced.What is the difference between MW4, DMZ and Warzone?
MW4 is the premium game; DMZ is an extraction mode tied to MW4; Warzone remains the free-to-play battle royale within the Call of Duty ecosystem.Is the MW4 beta still open?
No. It ended on September 1, 2026.Sources and verification method
This guide was verified on . Official announcements are used for dates, platforms, modes and access conditions; French store listings are used only for prices and commercial restrictions displayed at the time they were checked. Game.fr does not present a review opinion until the final version has been played and documented.- Activision - general Modern Warfare 4 announcement
- Activision - campaign early access
- Activision - editions and preorder benefits
- Activision - multiplayer, maps, modes and systems
- Activision - DMZ overview
- Activision - beta schedule and rules
- Activision - beta PC specifications
- Xbox Wire - campaign details
- PlayStation France - PS5 listing and price
- Xbox France - game listing, price and Game Pass
- Nintendo France - Switch 2 listing
- Activision — official MW4 update (September/October 2026)
- Activision — official MW4 update (September/October 2026)
- Activision — official MW4 update (September/October 2026)
