Updated
: Aug 14, 2026 3:53pm UTC
Xbox is trying something new with the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta, as the company has announced this month's pre-release tests will include a single-player campaign mission for the first time.
Activision's best-selling first-person shooter franchise is no stranger to beta tests. The series has long relied on similar testing methods to get early feedback (and push pre-orders) ahead of launch, but while every installment thus far has focused on multiplayer offerings, this year's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta is changing things up with early access to a single-player campaign mission called "Entrenched."
Xbox CEO announced the move herself with an X/Twitter post, confirming that, in addition to a host of multiplayer modes and maps – including a new Zodiac Warzone Resurgence map – Entrenched will be available starting next week. She took things one step further by publishing a gameplay teaser for the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 story mission, which you can see below.
New exclusive single player campaign mission for COD MW4 Beta drops next week. Weekend 2 brings Zodiac, a new warzone resurgence map. Let's go pic.twitter.com/rYif62bFw4
— ASHA (@asha_shar) August 14, 2026
Where this sudden change in pre-release strategy is coming from remains to be seen. For those who like to stick to multiplayer, though, the beta will still have plenty to offer.
The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 early access beta, which follows Call of Duty Next, will run from August 21 – 25. Its multiplayer maps include Rooftops, Silkworm, Transit 213, Cachette, Lotus, and Kill Block, with a variety of modes supported, too. This first weekend of play will be available for pre-order purchasers who locked in their copy on PC, PlayStation 5, or Xbox Series X | S.
The open beta will then follow from August 28 – September 1. While the Entrenched single-player mission will be available across both periods, the maps and modes will change between the two. The Lotus map, for example, will be dropped in favor of the Lithium map during the open beta weekend.
The open beta weekend will also feature the debut of that new Zodiac Warzone Resurgence map. Nintendo Switch 2 users will also be able to try out Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 during the open beta as well. You can see the full breakdown, as well as a first screenshot from the new Warzone map, below.
CONFIRMED. Playable in the Modern Warfare 4 Beta:
✅ Exclusive Campaign Mission
— Call of Duty (@CallofDuty) August 14, 2026
✅ New Call of Duty: Warzone Resurgence Map: Zodiac (Weekend 2) pic.twitter.com/WOXNGoUMw5
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 launches for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X | S October 23, 2026. You can read more about the beta test here. You can also see how Xbox is reminding Game Pass subscribers about how to play day one.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).