The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta will be the first in the series to include campaign content. Activision confirmed on August 14 that both beta windows feature the campaign mission Entrenched, and the open beta adds Warzone’s new Resurgence map, Zodiac — the first time Warzone has appeared in a CoD beta at all (via GameSpot).
The beta runs August 21 to September 1. Early access opens August 21–25 for players who preorder, on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. The open beta then runs August 28–September 1, free for everyone, and adds Switch 2. Preorders for that version begin August 26 — after the early-access window has closed. We covered the beta dates and how to get in separately.
What’s in the Modern Warfare 4 beta
| Content | Early access (Aug 21–25) | Open beta (Aug 28–Sep 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Campaign | Entrenched | Entrenched |
| Multiplayer maps | Rooftops, Silkworm, Transit 213, Cachette, Lotus, Kill Block | Rooftops, Silkworm, Transit 213, Cachette, Lithium, Kill Block |
| Warzone | — | Resurgence Zodiac |
| Ground War | — | Combat Outpost, Imjin Farmland, Wolves Stadium |
The Modern Warfare 4 beta carries up to 19 weapons, a wide selection of operators, and the usual suite of tacticals, lethals, perks and killstreaks. Modes across the two windows include Team Deathmatch, Domination, Hardpoint, Kill Confirmed, Search and Destroy, Kill Block 10v10, 3v3 Gunfight and the Training Mobility Course; the open beta adds Hijack and Ground War. Vault Edition preorders get their bonus operators and weapons in the beta too.
What is Warzone Resurgence Zodiac?
Zodiac is one of Warzone’s smaller Resurgence maps, an industrial stretch of road with factory buildings on both sides, wind turbines on the skyline and a rooftop that recalls Rebirth Island’s Factory point of interest (first look). Infinity Ward has confirmed a larger Warzone map is in the works, though it sounds like a post-launch arrival.
More details at Call of Duty: Next
Activision will show the beta off at Call of Duty: Next on August 21, with new gameplay footage, an in-depth briefing on Modern Warfare 4’s multiplayer, developer interviews and new reveals. More beta details — including rewards — are promised in the weeks ahead; the company describes the package as an “unprecedented beta experience”.
Modern Warfare 4 launches October 23 on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Switch 2 — the franchise’s first Nintendo appearance since 2013’s Ghosts and its first release to skip PS4 and Xbox One. Preorders grant campaign access a week before launch. Unlike Black Ops 6 and 7, it will not be on Xbox Game Pass at launch, an absence Activision’s own ads have already turned into a selling point.
Is the Modern Warfare 4 beta free?
The open beta (August 28–September 1) is free for everyone on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Switch 2. Early access (August 21–25) requires a preorder and is not available on Switch 2.
What campaign mission is in the Modern Warfare 4 beta?
Entrenched. It is the first campaign content ever included in a Call of Duty beta, and it is playable in both the early access and open beta windows.
What is Warzone Resurgence Zodiac?
The new Warzone Resurgence map for Modern Warfare 4 — an industrial setting with factory buildings and wind turbines. It is playable in the open beta, the first time Warzone has featured in a CoD beta.
