For the first time in the franchise’s history, the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta offers a playable campaign mission. This change comes with early access to multiplayer maps and a new Warzone map, Zodiac, during the second open session.
A solo mission in the beta, a first
Activision breaks tradition by including the mission Entrenched in the Modern Warfare 4 beta. Until now, pre-launch tests were limited to multiplayer, but this time, players can experience a campaign excerpt starting August 21, the first session reserved for pre-orders. The mission features a South Korean marine unit, supported by an American soldier, in an assault on hostile territory.
The beta runs in two phases: August 21–25 for pre-orders (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S), then August 28–September 1 in open access, with the addition of the Nintendo Switch 2. The mission Entrenched remains available during both sessions.
Multiplayer and Warzone on the agenda
The first session features five 6v6 maps: Rooftops, Silkworm, Transit 213, Cachette, and Lotus, with classic modes like Team Deathmatch, Domination, or Search & Destroy. A new mode, Inflation, debuts, alongside Kill Block in 3v3 and 10v10 versions.
The second session adds the Zodiac map for Warzone’s Resurgence mode, as well as Ground War on two maps: Imjin Farmland and Wolves Stadium. The Lotus map is replaced by Lithium during the public opening.
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Why this change?
Modern Warfare 4 marks the return of early campaign access, a first in several years. This initiative may aim to revive interest in a mode often overlooked: according to sources, only a minority of players launch the campaign in previous installments. Studio Infinity Ward, back after a four-year absence, is also betting on technical tweaks (muzzle flash, hipfire, movement) to win over fans, following the criticism received by Black Ops 7 in 2025.
Modern Warfare 4 is officially set for release on October 23, 2026, on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2.
"New exclusive single player campaign mission for COD MW4 Beta drops next week. Weekend 2 brings Zodiac, a new warzone resurgence map." — Asha Shar, Xbox headTranslated from French
With this beta, Activision is testing a new approach: blending campaign, multiplayer, and Warzone to capture attention before launch. It remains to be seen if this strategy will convince players, as competition looms with titles like GTA 6 on the horizon.
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