Activision and Infinity Ward have opened pre-load for the MW4 open beta across all platforms, while a new campaign teaser shown at the Xbox Extended Showcase offers the first real look at the single-player story.
Call of Duty fans, mark your calendars. Modern Warfare 4 open beta pre-load is now live across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Battle.net and Steam), ahead of the July 18-20 cross-platform beta weekend. The pre-load weighs in at approximately 38GB on current-gen consoles and 45GB on PC, giving players plenty of time to download before the beta goes live.
The beta will feature a curated selection of content designed to showcase Infinity Ward's next-generation IW 10.0 engine. Players can expect access to three multiplayer maps — including the newly revealed "Downtown Fallujah" map set in a war-torn urban environment — along with the new "Gunfight 2.0" 2v2 mode and a limited version of the Warzone integration featuring the new Vexx field upgrade system.
But the real headline came during yesterday's Xbox Extended Showcase, where Infinity Ward dropped a full-length campaign teaser trailer that offered the first substantial look at MW4's narrative. The trailer confirms that Captain Price and Task Force 141 will return, this time deployed to the Middle East to confront a new threat known only as "The Phantom."
The trailer showcased several striking moments: a nighttime HALO jump into a sandstorm-engulfed city, a tense close-quarters confrontation in an underground bunker, and what appears to be a playable flashback sequence featuring a younger Gaz. The visual fidelity, powered by the IW 10.0 engine, was widely praised by viewers for its photorealistic lighting and particle effects.
Infinity Ward has also confirmed that the campaign will feature branching mission structures, allowing players to choose their approach — stealth infiltration or all-out assault — with consequences that carry across multiple missions. This represents a significant departure from the linear campaign design of recent Call of Duty titles and has generated considerable excitement among franchise veterans.
On the pre-order front, Activision has confirmed that numbers remain 35% above internal projections, with the Phantom Force Operator Pack (exclusive to pre-orders) proving especially popular. The open beta is expected to push those numbers even higher as players get their hands on the gameplay for the first time.
We'll have full beta coverage and a comprehensive MW4 weapons guide on Zhan's Guide once the beta goes live on July 18. Until then, get those pre-loads started.