Activision has confirmed the open beta schedule for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 — and unlike previous years, Nintendo Switch 2 players get full access during the second weekend at no cost, with no pre-order required. Here’s what Singapore players need to know.
Modern Warfare 4 Open Beta — Two Weekends in August
The beta runs across two consecutive weekends:
- Weekend 1 — Early Access: 21–25 August 2026. Open only to players who have pre-ordered any edition of Modern Warfare 4 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, or PC (Battle.net / Steam). Nintendo Switch 2 is not included in Weekend 1.
- Weekend 2 — Open Beta: 28 August–1 September 2026. Free for all players on all platforms, including Nintendo Switch 2. No pre-order required.
Singapore players on Switch 2 who want to try before they buy can jump in during Weekend 2 without spending a cent. Notably, Xbox Game Pass subscribers receive no early access advantage this year — Weekend 1 is pre-order only, full stop.
What’s Playable in the Modern Warfare 4 Beta
Infinity Ward has confirmed the following content for the beta build:
- Kill Block — the new flagship multiplayer mode, 10v10 in the Kill Block map. Players race to control a moving zone while holding it triggers elimination of the opposing team.
- Search & Destroy — the classic round-based bomb mode, returning in full.
- Training Mobility Course — an optional solo warmup for new players to learn movement mechanics.
- Skirmishes from 3v3 up to large-scale tactical battles featuring vehicles including tanks.
- Up to 19 unlockable weapons with customisable loadouts assisted by the new Gunny system.
The beta also introduces Ballistic Authority, a new gunplay philosophy Infinity Ward describes as “no bloom, no guesswork, no doubt” — prioritising precision over random weapon spread.
CoD: NEXT Reveal Event — 21 August
Alongside the start of Weekend 1, Activision is running Call of Duty: NEXT on 21 August — a livestream covering an in-depth breakdown of Modern Warfare 4’s full multiplayer offering, developer insights from Infinity Ward, and new reveals. Think of it as a Day One showcase for anyone still deciding whether to pre-order.
Nintendo Switch 2 Beta — How It Works
Switch 2 players get Weekend 2 access (28 August–1 September) for free. One catch worth noting: pre-orders for the Switch 2 version of Modern Warfare 4 don’t open until 26 August — which is after Weekend 2 begins. That means Switch 2 players have a two-day head start on playing the beta before they can even pre-order, which is either convenient or a little backwards depending on how you look at it. Switch 2 development is handled by Digital Legends in partnership with Infinity Ward.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 — Full Game October 23
Modern Warfare 4 is developed by Infinity Ward, with support from Beenox, Treyarch, and Sledgehammer Games. The setting is the Korean Peninsula: North Korea launches a full-scale invasion threatening global stability, and Captain Price goes rogue to dismantle the system that built him. The campaign drops players into environments ranging from collapsing Korean trenches to city-wide assaults in occupied territory, with Private Park — a young South Korean soldier in his first live combat — as a new playable lead alongside Price, Ghost, and the rest of the Task Force 141 roster.
Multiplayer ships with 12 all-new 6v6 maps on day one, plus large-scale vehicle maps. The extraction-shooter mode DMZ returns, set in a sprawling exclusion zone called Hajin with narrative-driven Story Missions and persistent progression.
Launch platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC (Battle.net and Steam). Vault Edition holders get early access from 16 October; full launch is 23 October 2026.
If you’re still riding out Black Ops 7’s Season 5 launch on 23 July, the beta weekends give you a natural bridging point before the next annual instalment drops in October. Keep an eye on the Game News section for coverage as CoD: NEXT reveals more.