Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Release Times, Preload & Editions

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 launches worldwide on Friday, October 23, 2026, bringing the next entry in Activision's military shooter series to PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. The global rollout follows the Campaign Early Access period that began on October 16 and the DMZ Early Access launch on October 20. With the full release approaching, players can check the launch schedule, preload requirements, available editions, and multiplayer features before jumping in.

Players planning to buy the game on console can compare the PS5 and Xbox price, while PC players can look for the best deal when they buy a Modern Warfare 4 Steam key. The game will also be available through Steam, Battle.net, and Xbox on PC, with Xbox Play Anywhere support. There are no versions planned for PS4 or Xbox One.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Global Release Date, Midnight Rollout & Preload

The full release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is scheduled for October 23, 2026, at midnight local time. Rather than following one simultaneous worldwide launch time, the rollout is based on local time zones, so the game becomes available at midnight in each region. Players should check their platform's store or launcher for the exact availability in their location.

The launch follows two early-access milestones. Campaign Early Access started on October 16, giving eligible players an opportunity to begin the single-player story ahead of the full release. DMZ Early Access followed on October 20, opening the extraction-based mode before launch day.

PC players can already preload the game. The installation requires an SSD with 115 GB of available storage, so it is worth checking drive space before downloading. The minimum memory requirement is 8 GB of RAM, while 16 GB is recommended. Players targeting Ultra settings with 4K ray tracing should have 32 GB of RAM.

PC security requirements also include TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot for RICOCHET Anti-Cheat. These requirements are particularly important for anyone planning to upgrade or configure a system immediately before launch. For the full breakdown of supported hardware and software, see the Modern Warfare 4 PC requirements.

Console players should check their platform's store for preload availability and the amount of storage required on their system. The PC preload is confirmed, but download timing and availability may differ between platforms and regions.

Is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 on Xbox Game Pass at Launch?

No. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will not be included in Xbox Game Pass at launch. Activision confirmed on October 15 that the game will be sold as a standalone purchase, with Game Pass availability planned for Holiday 2027. That means Xbox players who want to play on launch day will need to purchase the game rather than rely on an existing Game Pass subscription. The same consideration applies to PC players deciding between buying the game outright and waiting for a subscription option.

The delay is a notable change for players accustomed to seeing recent Call of Duty releases arrive through Microsoft's subscription service. Anyone deciding whether to buy now or wait will need to weigh the appeal of playing at launch against the possibility of accessing the game through Game Pass later. Our article on Modern Warfare 4 skipping Xbox Game Pass examines what this decision could mean for players.

Standard Edition vs. Vault Edition: What's Included?

Players can choose between the Standard Edition, also referred to as the Cross-Gen Edition on console, and the more expensive Vault Edition. The main difference is the additional cosmetic content bundled with the latter, making the choice largely dependent on how much value players place on its operator and weapon extras.

The Standard/Cross-Gen Edition provides access to the base game on the relevant platform family. On consoles, buyers should make sure they select the appropriate version for their system. The Vault Edition adds the Hostile Alliance Operator Pack, which includes Price, Valeria, Ghost, and Blix, along with weapon blueprints.

Players who already own the base game can also purchase a standalone Vault Edition Upgrade, allowing them to access the additional content without buying the full game a second time. Check the relevant store listing to confirm which edition and upgrade options are available for your platform.

Pre-order bonuses include the Inner Circuit M4 weapon blueprint. Its translucent green design is exclusive to Xbox Series X|S, giving the weapon a platform-specific appearance. The bonus is also relevant to players comparing pre-order offers, although its visual design should not be confused with a separate gameplay advantage. More details are available in our coverage of the Inner Circuit M4 weapon blueprint.

For most players, the Standard Edition is the straightforward option if the priority is accessing the game itself. The Vault Edition is worth considering for those who want its extra operator and weapon cosmetics, while existing owners should compare the price of the upgrade with the full edition before purchasing.

Multiplayer, Prestige & DMZ Extraction Mode at Launch

Other than the campaign, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 brings multiplayer progression and the return of DMZ-style extraction gameplay into the launch period. These modes give players different reasons to keep playing after completing the story, whether they prefer competitive matches, long-term progression goals, or higher-risk missions built around extracting with valuable equipment.

Multiplayer progression offers two Prestige paths: Classic Prestige and Regular Prestige. The system gives players different ways to approach advancement and rewards, allowing them to choose how they want to pursue longer-term progression. Players interested in the details can read our breakdown of the Classic and Regular Prestige systems.

The other major addition is the Hajin DMZ extraction mode, which expands the game's offering beyond traditional multiplayer matches. Extraction gameplay revolves around entering an area, gathering resources or completing objectives, and escaping successfully with what you have collected. That creates a different kind of tension from standard team-based combat, since surviving long enough to extract can matter as much as winning a firefight.

Players looking for more information about this mode can read our report on the Hajin DMZ extraction mode.

With the full release approaching, the key decisions for players are straightforward: check the local launch time, make sure the game has enough storage space, choose between the Standard and Vault editions, and decide whether to buy at launch or wait for Game Pass availability in Holiday 2027. Find the best price for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 on DLCompare.