Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4’s Open Beta begins August 28 with a major expansion over the first test weekend, including 44-player Warzone Resurgence on the new Zodiac map, additional multiplayer content and a playable campaign mission.
Activision updated its official Open Beta information ahead of Weekend Two, confirming that access opens at 10:00 a.m. PT on Friday, August 28 and runs until 10:00 a.m. PT on Tuesday, September 1.
Unlike the Early Access period, Weekend Two is available to all players without requiring a pre-order or beta code.
The Open Beta will be playable across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Battle.net, Steam, Xbox on PC and Nintendo Switch 2. Players can download the dedicated Modern Warfare 4 Beta client from their platform’s storefront.
One of the biggest additions is Call of Duty: Warzone Resurgence on Zodiac, an entirely new 44-player map built around the fictional DRC Advanced Systems drone manufacturing headquarters.
The compact environment includes offices, manufacturing areas, rooftops, tunnels, shipping docks and a central double Trackline featuring multiple trains. Activision says players can also expect combat across the surrounding shoreline, an underground tunnel network and encounters involving vehicles.
Zodiac uses the familiar Resurgence ruleset. Eliminated players can redeploy as long as teammates remain alive, while eliminations and completed Contracts can shorten the return timer. The final surviving squad wins the match.
Default Assault Rifle, SMG, LMG and Sniper loadouts will be available during the beta version of the mode.
Weekend Two also raises the multiplayer progression cap from Level 20 to Level 30.
Reaching the higher levels unlocks additional weapons, equipment, Perks, Killstreaks and the remaining beta rewards. The final Level 30 reward is the Beta Forged weapon blueprint, while earlier rewards include an Operator skin, charm, sticker, calling card, spray and loading screen.
Cosmetic beta rewards earned during the test will carry into the full version of Modern Warfare 4 when it launches in October, although normal gameplay progression will reset once the beta concludes.
Activision is also using the Open Beta to let players sample Modern Warfare 4’s campaign.
The mission Entrenched will be playable during the test, marking the first time Activision has included a campaign mission in a Call of Duty beta. The level follows a large-scale assault centered on preventing the destruction of a strategically important nuclear power station.
Multiplayer will include traditional modes such as Team Deathmatch, Domination, Hardpoint, Kill Confirmed and Search and Destroy alongside newer modes including Hijack and Inflation.
Gunfight is also included through Kill Block, with both 3v3 and a new 10v10 variant. Kill Block changes its layout every two rounds by combining different map sections, while all players receive identical randomized loadouts.
Ground War: Combat Outpost is another part of Weekend Two, expanding the beta beyond standard 6v6 matches.
The Open Beta arrives after Infinity Ward spent the first weekend collecting feedback and applying daily changes. The studio previously said it was reviewing areas including spawn behavior, time-to-kill and movement.
Call of Duty Updates has confirmed that a new set of Multiplayer patch notes will be published before Weekend Two begins, meaning additional balance and gameplay changes are still expected.
Modern Warfare 4 is scheduled to launch on October 23, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Nintendo Switch 2.
For players who skipped Early Access, Weekend Two represents the broadest test yet, combining standard multiplayer, Ground War, Kill Block, a campaign mission and the new 44-player Zodiac Resurgence map in a single free beta period.
