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Modern Warfare 4 PS5 beta adds debut campaign mission
Developed over time first seen 3 months ago
Activision will include a single-player campaign mission in the PS5 beta for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, marking the first time a Call of Duty beta has offered campaign content. The addition gives players an early indication of the game’s story and tone as well as its multiplayer and Warzone features, ahead of the full release.
The mission, titled Entrenched, will be available during early access for pre-order customers from 21 to 25 August 2026, alongside five multiplayer maps and nine modes. A public beta follows from 28 August to 1 September with the same content, additional maps and modes, and the new Warzone Resurgence map Zodiac; the game launches on PS5 on 23 October 2026.
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In short
- Modern Warfare 4’s beta includes a campaign mission for the first time.
- Pre-order beta access runs from 21 to 25 August.
- The full PS5 release is scheduled for 23 October 2026.
How this story developed
- 3 months ago Activision confirmed the beta schedule and content, reiterating that Entrenched would make Modern Warfare 4 the first Call of Duty beta to let players try a campaign level.
- 3 months ago The announcement added that the open beta, running from 28 August to 1 September, would expand the early-access selection with more multiplayer material and the Zodiac Warzone Resurgence map.
- 3 months ago Activision said the PS5 beta for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 would unusually offer the campaign mission Entrenched, with early access from 21 to 25 August before an open test and the game’s 23 October 2026 launch.
- GameSpot Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta Will Do Something No Previous CoD Beta Has
- Destructoid Modern Warfare 4 has CoD’s beefiest beta yet, but it doesn’t include what some players want most
- Polygon Modern Warfare 4 Beta Will Include Campaign and Warzone In Series First
- Push Square Modern Warfare 4 PS5 beta adds debut campaign mission
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Those supporting this decision emphasise consumer value and informed choice. They argue that a campaign preview gives players meaningful content to evaluate before purchase, demonstrates confidence in the story's quality, and respects player autonomy by letting them choose whether to experience it. It rewards pre-order customers and early adopters with substantial additional value, whilst showing transparency and generosity towards the gaming community.
The case against
Critics prioritise the integrity of the campaign experience. They contend that part of what players purchase is a fresh, unspoiled story, and releasing campaign content—even optionally—undermines that core value proposition. There is genuine risk that players feel they have already experienced the main appeal, potentially reducing enthusiasm for the full campaign at launch and diminishing the perceived worth of the overall purchase.
Explained simply
Call of Duty is a long-running series of military action games made by Activision. Modern Warfare is one of its best-known branches, combining a single-player story with competitive online multiplayer matches.
The games are usually released each year or on a regular cycle, with early test periods allowing players to try parts of a new title before launch. These betas are normally focused on online modes, where players compete alone or in teams across different maps.
Warzone is the series’ free-to-play battle royale game, in which large numbers of players fight to be the last person or team remaining. Resurgence is a faster version of that format, allowing teammates to return to the match under certain conditions.
Coverage · 4 sources
- Push SquareModern Warfare 4 PS5 beta adds debut campaign mission
- GameSpotCall Of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta Will Do Something No Previous CoD Beta Has
- DestructoidModern Warfare 4 has CoD’s beefiest beta yet, but it doesn’t include what some players want most
- PolygonModern Warfare 4 Beta Will Include Campaign and Warzone In Series First
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Originally published by Push Square as “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4’s PS5 Beta Includes Campaign Mission for the First Time”.