Modern Warfare 4 Release Time, Preload, Early Access and Editions

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 launches on 23 October 2026 at midnight local time on every platform, according to Activision's PC launch post. Anyone who pre-ordered a digital edition already has the campaign, which opened on 16 October, and gets DMZ from 20 October; multiplayer opens to everyone at launch.

This guide is built on Activision's own launch posts and editions FAQ, the Steam store page and PC Gamer's launch explainer, all checked on 19 October 2026. Where Activision has not published a time, we say so rather than guess. Nobody at AFK Journal has played the game.

When does Modern Warfare 4 come out?

The full game arrives on Friday 23 October on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, PlayStation 5, Battle.net, Steam and Nintendo Switch 2, as listed in Activision's editions FAQ. Before that, digital pre-order owners get two early access windows, summarised below.

Early access is not a time-limited trial. Activision says campaign early access runs all the way up to the official launch on 23 October, so there is no gap between the two.

What time does Modern Warfare 4 unlock in my time zone?

Activision's answer is midnight local time on 23 October, which means the launch rolls around the world rather than unlocking everywhere at once. Players in New Zealand and Australia get in first; the US West Coast is among the last, when the clock there reaches midnight on Friday.

The one wrinkle is Steam. The Steam store page lists the release date as 22 October when viewed from the US, while Activision's posts say 23 October. Activision has not said whether Steam unlocks at a single worldwide time, so if you play on Steam in the Americas, check the countdown on the store page on the evening of the 22nd rather than trusting a third-party clock.

When does DMZ early access start?

DMZ early access begins on Tuesday 20 October for everyone with a digital pre-order of the Standard or Vault Edition, as confirmed in Activision's DMZ deep dive. The blog does not give an hour. PC Gamer reports that Activision has not confirmed a time and that 10am PT is the widely expected start, so treat the table below as a best estimate.

DMZ is the extraction mode: you deploy into an open map, fight AI forces and rival squads, loot and craft gear, and try to reach the exfil with what you found. Our Modern Warfare 4 hub collects our coverage as more of the game unlocks.

Can you preload Modern Warfare 4?

Yes. On PC it has been open since 15 October at 9am PT for digital pre-purchases, according to Activision's PC post. The official requirement is 115 GB of free space on an SSD, and the Steam listing gives the same figure. On consoles, Dot Esports reports that pre-installation opened on 14 October at 9pm PT for digital pre-orders.

Activision has not published console download sizes, and the figures circulating on social media vary by platform. Its PC post also notes that mandatory updates may need extra space, so leave some headroom above 115 GB.

Modern Warfare 4 editions: what's in Standard and Vault?

There are two digital editions plus a console-only physical release. The prices below are the US Steam prices on 19 October; console stores and other regions can differ.

The Hostile Alliance pack contains Price, Valeria, Ghost and Blix, with two variants each of Price and Valeria; the Special Forces pack adds four unit skins, including the SAS. The Signature Weapon Collection is five weapons with a blueprint each. All of it is usable in Modern Warfare 4 at launch and in Warzone from Season 1.

Is the Vault Edition worth it?

The $30 gap buys cosmetics and one battle pass, nothing that changes the campaign or multiplayer. The most tangible part is the BlackCell season: Activision's FAQ says it includes 1,100 COD Points, 20 tier skips and the full pass of more than 100 rewards, available from the start of Season 1.

In DMZ the Vault Edition also adds a Deployment Bonus: one extra Active Duty slot and a kit of insurance contracts, beacons, markers, backpacks and plate carriers. It is the only Vault item that affects play rather than looks.

If you were planning to buy BlackCell in Season 1 anyway, the Vault Edition bundles it; if you mainly want the campaign, the Standard Edition gives you the same story and the same early access. Players who have played a Call of Duty from 2019 onwards on the same platform account get 10% off a Vault pre-order through official stores until 23 October, though not on the upgrade.

Is Modern Warfare 4 on Game Pass?

Not at launch. Activision confirmed on 15 October that Modern Warfare 4 is a standalone release that must be bought separately, and that it will not join Game Pass until Holiday 2027. Game Pass Ultimate members keep access to Black Ops 7, Black Ops 6 and Modern Warfare III. If you are deciding whether to pay full price, our report on the early Steam reviews covers how the campaign is being received so far.

Will my PC run Modern Warfare 4?

Every tier needs 115 GB on an SSD and 64-bit Windows. Two requirements catch people out: TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot must be enabled, and only Intel and AMD processors with the AVX instruction set are supported for now, which rules out ARM-based Windows laptops. Intel Arc cards also need Resizable BAR switched on.

Valve has not yet rated the game for Steam Deck: its compatibility check for the Steam page returned no rating on 19 October.

Steam or Battle.net: where should you buy it on PC?

It is one of the most-discussed questions on r/modernwarfare4 this month, and Activision's own material gives no reason to prefer one store: it publishes a single set of PC requirements for Xbox on PC, Battle.net and Steam, and the editions and early access windows are identical across all three. Buy where your friends list is. The only visible difference is that Steam's US page shows 22 October, while Activision's launch is midnight local time on the 23rd.

For everything else launching this month, see our October 2026 release calendar. If you are weighing Modern Warfare 4 against the other big shooter update this autumn, our Battlefield 6 Season 5 guide lists every new map, weapon and date.