Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 — everything about the October 23, 2026 launch: release date, early access, Campaign, Multiplayer, and the new DMZ extraction mode.
COD MW4 releases October 23, 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Battle.net & Steam), and Nintendo Switch 2. Two early access tracks are already live for digital pre-order players: Campaign Early Access since October 16 and DMZ Early Access since October 20. Multiplayer opens to everyone on launch day with 20 maps.
| Date | What unlocks | Who gets it |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 16 | Campaign Early Access | Digital pre-order / pre-purchase |
| Oct 20 | DMZ Early Access | Digital pre-order / pre-purchase |
| Oct 23 | Full launch — all modes | Everyone who owns the game |
Early Access applies to the Standard Digital Edition and Vault Edition on every platform. Disc pre-orders do not unlock early access.
Infinity Ward's story continues the rebooted Modern Warfare timeline. The campaign has been playable for a week through pre-order early access, so launch day players join late — worth playing first for the free MP rewards it unlocks.
Launches with 20 maps: 12 core 6v6 maps, 3 Ground War maps, 4 Gunfight maps, and Kill Block. Create-a-Class unlocks at Player Level 4; before that you pick from preset loadouts. The launch patch rebalanced weapons, movement, and spawns based on beta feedback. Full map and mode breakdown on our MW4 multiplayer guide.
A fully realized extraction shooter: deploy into the massive Hajin map, complete contracts, fight AI forces and rival Operators, loot, and extract with what you can carry. Persistent progression runs through your Forward Operating Base (FOB). See the COD DMZ guide for how it works.
| Edition | Includes |
|---|---|
| Standard Digital | Base game + both Early Access tracks |
| Vault Edition | Base game + operator skins, weapon blueprints, BlackCell-style extras + Early Access |
Is MW4 on Game Pass? Microsoft owns Activision, so watch for an announcement — but nothing is confirmed at launch, and pre-order early access requires a digital purchase either way.
Does pre-ordering still help now? Yes — buying digitally today still unlocks DMZ Early Access immediately, ahead of the October 23 full launch.
Is there Zombies? Modern Warfare 4's launch lineup is Campaign, Multiplayer, and DMZ — no traditional round-based Zombies at launch.