What the Modern Warfare 4 Open Beta Requires on PC—and What Carries Into Launch
The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 multiplayer beta is split into two access periods. Early Access is reserved for players who pre-ordered the game or redeemed a beta code, while the Open Beta removes that requirement and lets anyone with a supported platform join.
That distinction matters less for long-term progression than it does for timing. Early Access gives eligible players a first run at the beta, but the rank, weapon unlocks and other temporary progression earned during either weekend will be reset when testing ends. Cosmetic beta rewards, however, remain attached to the player’s Activision Account and are scheduled to appear in the full game.
The two beta windows
According to Activision, Early Access runs from 11:00 a.m. PT on Friday, August 21, through 10:00 a.m. PT on Tuesday, August 25. The Open Beta begins at 10:00 a.m. PT on Friday, August 28, and ends at 10:00 a.m. PT on Tuesday, September 1.
Early Access is available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, PlayStation 5, Steam and Battle.net. Nintendo Switch 2 players join during the Open Beta only. No pre-order or code is required for the second weekend.
The beta is a separate download rather than an automatic part of the existing Call of Duty installation. Players must find the beta through their platform’s store or launcher and install it independently. Activision says content and progression carry from the first weekend into the second, so participants in both windows should not need to download the game twice.
The PC requirements are modest—but security is not optional
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 11 64-bit |
| Processor | Ryzen 5 1600 or Core i5-8400 | Ryzen 5 3600 or Core i7-8700 |
| Memory | 12 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics | Radeon RX 470, GTX 970/1060 or Arc A580 | Radeon RX 6700 XT, RTX 3060 Ti or Arc B580 |
| Video memory | 3 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage | SSD required | SSD required |
The beta also requires DirectX 12, broadband internet, TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot. These last two settings support RICOCHET Anti-Cheat and can prevent online access if they are disabled in a PC’s firmware or Windows configuration.
Activision has also introduced shader preloading for the beta. Shaders help a graphics card render lighting, surfaces and effects. Preparing them before a match can reduce initial loading and visual stutter, although Steam users still face a one-time shader compilation on their first launch.
What the beta can—and cannot—tell players
A beta can reveal how the game performs across different hardware, how its maps and movement feel in live matches, and whether matchmaking or launch systems hold up under pressure. It cannot guarantee that every feature, balance decision or technical issue will remain unchanged at release.
For that reason, the most useful preparation is practical: enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, install the beta separately, update graphics drivers, and use the same Activision Account across supported platforms if transferred rewards matter.