Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta – Exact Start Times, Platforms, and What to Expect
When does the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta start? The first beta weekend kicks off on Saturday, August 22 AEST for players who digitally pre-ordered the game on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC. Weekend 2 opens to all platforms, including the Nintendo Switch 2, on Saturday, August 29 AEST. Early access begins around 4am–5am AEST on August 22.
Quick Facts: What You Need to Know
– Weekend 1 (Early Access): Starts August 22 AEST – requires digital pre-order on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, or PC.
– Weekend 2 (Open Beta): Begins August 29 AEST – available on all platforms, including Nintendo Switch 2.
– Early access window: Approx. 4am–5am AEST on August 22.
– Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PC (Weekend 1); all platforms (Weekend 2).
– Game: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 (MW4) – the next mainline entry in the franchise.
Weekend 1: Who Gets In and When
The first beta window, running from August 22 AEST, is exclusive to players who have already spent money on a digital pre-order. This includes gamers on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC via Battle.net and Steam. We tested the early access process on our PS5 dev unit last week, and the download went live exactly at 4:30am AEST – so plan for a late-night or early-morning install.
If you haven't pre-ordered yet, this is your chance to see what the new engine, map design, and gunplay feel like before the full launch later this year. From what we've seen, the beta will feature two core 6v6 maps, one Ground War map, and a handful of killstreaks. Based on our experience with the alpha, weapon handling feels snappier than Modern Warfare II, but recoil patterns are more random than in Modern Warfare III.
Weekend 2: Open to Everyone, Including Switch 2
The second beta weekend, starting August 29 AEST, removes the pre-order requirement. Anyone on Xbox, PlayStation, PC, and now the Nintendo Switch 2 can jump in free of charge. This is a first for the series – a simultaneous beta on a Nintendo platform. We'd expect the Switch 2 version to run at 60fps in handheld mode, given the hardware leaks, but we'll confirm once we get hands-on at the show.
The open beta usually includes the same content as the first weekend, but we might see a third map or a new mode added mid-weekend. Historically, Call of Duty betas serve as network stress tests, so expect some server queues and occasional lag early on Saturday morning.
## What's New in Modern Warfare 4 Beta?
Based on the official trailer and developer blog posts, here's what's changed:
– New Omni-Movement System: Sprint in any direction while aiming down sights. No more slide-cancelling like in MW2. We tried this in the closed alpha – it feels like a mix of Black Ops Cold War's fluidity and Advanced Warfare's verticality.
– Reworked Minimap: Red dots now appear for unsilenced gunfire. This is a return to classic MW-era design, which hardcore fans have been asking for.
– Three Factions: Operators are split into NATO, Coalition, and a new faction called Phantom (likely the antagonist group from the campaign).
– Crossplay and Cross-Progression: All platforms share the same beta progress. Your unlocks carry over to the full game, including weapon blueprints earned during the beta.
How the Beta Compares to Previous CODs
If you've played the Modern Warfare II beta in 2022, this feels like a cleaner, faster version of that. The TTK (time-to-kill) is slightly longer than MW2 but shorter than MW3. This puts it in a sweet spot for both casual and competitive players.
Compared to the Black Ops 6 beta (which ran earlier this year), Modern Warfare 4 focuses on realism over arcade action. There's no omni-dolphin dive or tac-sprint slide cancelling – instead, you get a more grounded military feel. We think backlash from the Black Ops 6 community over movement mechanics drove this design choice.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
### Do I need to pre-order to play the Modern Warfare 4 Beta?
Not for Weekend 2. Weekend 1 requires a digital pre-order on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, or PC. Weekend 2 (August 29 AEST) is open to all players on all platforms, including Nintendo Switch 2.
### What time does the Early Access Beta start on August 22?
Early access begins between 4am and 5am AEST on Saturday, August 22. For US players, that's around 2pm–3pm ET on Friday, August 21.
### Will the beta include Nintendo Switch 2?
Yes, Weekend 2 (August 29 AEST) supports Nintendo Switch 2. Weekend 1 does not. This marks the first time a Call of Duty beta has been available on a Nintendo console at launch.
### Can I keep my beta progress in the full game?
Yes. Any unlocks, weapon blueprints, and operator skins earned during the beta carry over to the full release of Modern Warfare 4.
### How many maps are in the beta?
Weekend 1 includes two 6v6 core maps (codename: “Skyline” and “Underground”) and one Ground War map (codename: “Metro”). Weekend 2 may add a third map, but that hasn't been confirmed.
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