MW4 Open Beta: Dates, Platforms & How to Play

Yes, there was an open beta for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 (officially titled Modern Warfare IV), but it has already ended. The beta ran from late August to early September 2024 across all platforms. This article covers everything you need to know about the beta, including its dates, content, and how to prepare for the full game’s release.

What Was the MW4 Open Beta?

The Modern Warfare IV open beta was a free, limited-time multiplayer test that let players try several maps and modes before the full game launched. It followed a closed beta that was available only to those who pre-ordered. The open beta removed the pre-order requirement, allowing any player on PlayStation, Xbox, or PC to jump in during the specified dates. The beta was designed to stress-test servers, gather feedback on weapon balance, and build hype before the official release.

Beta Dates and Platforms

The open beta ran on two weekends:

• Weekend 1 (August 30 – September 2, 2024): PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 players could access the beta first, as part of a timed exclusivity agreement with Sony.
• Weekend 2 (September 6 – September 9, 2024): The beta opened to Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC players, with cross-play enabled across all platforms.

Players on any platform could participate in the second weekend without pre-ordering. The beta was available for download from each platform’s digital store, and the file size was around 30–40 GB depending on the platform.

What Was Included in the Beta?

The beta featured a curated selection of content to give players a taste of the full game:

• Maps: Six multiplayer maps were playable, including classics like Terminal and new additions like Gridlock and Suburbia.
• Modes: Core modes like Team Deathmatch, Domination, and Hardpoint were available, along with the new “Escortâ€� mode where teams take turns guarding a moving vehicle.
• Weapons: Around 20 weapons were usable, spanning assault rifles, SMGs, shotguns, LMGs, and sniper rifles. Players could level up weapons and unlock attachments during the beta.
• Operators: A handful of operator skins were available, but most cosmetics were locked to the full release.

Progression from the beta did not carry over to the full game. Players started fresh at launch, though some cosmetic rewards were given to those who reached certain levels during the beta.

How to Access the Beta (If It Were Still Live)

Since the beta has ended, these steps are historical, but they show how the process worked:

1. Go to your platform’s store (PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, Battle.net, or Steam).
2. Search for “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare IV Open Beta.�
3. Download the beta client (no purchase required for the open beta).
4. Launch the game and log in with your Activision account.
5. Play online with cross-play enabled by default.

For the full game, you will need to purchase it, and early access to the campaign is available for pre-orders.

Common Problems During the Beta

Like any online beta, players encountered several issues. Here are the most common ones and how they were typically resolved:

• Server queues: At peak times, players faced long wait times to connect. This was due to server capacity limits, and the developers added more servers as the beta progressed.
• Connection drops: Some players experienced disconnects mid-match. Checking your internet connection and restarting the game usually fixed it. If the issue persisted, it was often on the server side.
• Download errors: On PC, some players had trouble downloading the beta via Battle.net or Steam. Clearing the download cache or restarting the launcher helped.
• Performance issues: On older consoles and low-end PCs, frame rate drops were reported. Lowering graphics settings or enabling performance mode on consoles helped.

If you experience similar issues in the full game, the same troubleshooting steps apply.

Comparing the Beta to the Full Game

The beta was a slice of the full experience. Here’s what differed:

• Content: The full game includes a campaign, co-op missions, and many more multiplayer maps and modes. The beta only had a fraction of that.
• Progression: Beta progress reset at launch. In the full game, you keep everything you unlock.
• Balance: The beta allowed developers to tweak weapon stats and spawn logic based on player feedback. Expect some weapons to feel different in the final release.
• Stability: The full game is generally more stable, but day-one patches are common.

If you enjoyed the beta, the full game offers significantly more content, including a single-player campaign that continues the Modern Warfare storyline.

Cost and How to Get the Full Game

The open beta was free, but the full game is a paid title. Standard editions are priced at $69.99 on current-gen consoles and PC. There are also Vault Editions that include extra cosmetics and a battle pass, typically priced around $99.99. Pre-ordering grants early access to the campaign, which was available a week before the official launch.

Note that the game requires an internet connection for multiplayer, and a persistent connection is needed for some single-player features. No subscription is required for multiplayer on PC, but console players need an active Xbox Live Gold or PlayStation Plus subscription.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will there be another open beta for MW4?

No, the open beta has ended, and there are no plans for another one. The full game is already out, so the beta served its purpose. If you missed it, you can still play the full game, which includes everything from the beta plus much more.

Do I need to pre-order to play the beta?

No, the open beta was free for everyone, regardless of pre-order status. The closed beta that ran earlier required a pre-order, but the open beta removed that requirement. If you participated in the closed beta, you did not need to download the open beta separately—it was the same client.

Can I carry over my beta progress to the full game?

No, all progression from the beta (including weapon levels, operator unlocks, and stats) was reset at launch. However, players who reached level 20 during the beta earned a special weapon blueprint that was unlocked in the full game as a reward.

What were the system requirements for the PC beta?

Activision published minimum specs for the beta, which included an Intel Core i5-6600 or AMD Ryzen 5 1400 CPU, 8 GB of RAM, and a GeForce GTX 960 or Radeon RX 470 GPU. Recommended specs were higher, with an i7-8700K or Ryzen 7 1800X, 16 GB RAM, and a GTX 1080 or RX 5700 XT. These are also the expected requirements for the full game, though they may change slightly with optimization.

Is cross-play available in the full game?

Yes, cross-play is fully supported in the full game, just like in the beta. You can play with friends on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. Cross-progression is also available, meaning your unlocks and progress carry over across platforms if you link your Activision account.

What new features were introduced in MW4 that weren’t in Modern Warfare 3?

MW4 introduced several new mechanics, including a more advanced movement system with sliding and mantling improvements, a new “Escort� mode, and a reworked Gunsmith system that allows more customization. The beta showcased these features, and the full game expands on them with additional maps and modes.

Related

• Steam Booster Packs: How to Get Them
• Convert TS to FLV on Mac: Easy Ways
• Pixel 10 Release Date: Why Not August?

in t | Finish time | min | 50 | 0
in d | Distance | km | 10 | 0 | 100000
out pace | Average pace | min/km | t / d | 2
out speed | Average speed | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2