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The wait for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is about to end. In a guide published on October 16, 2026, PC Gamer’s Senior Guides Writer, Sean Martin, outlined a timeline for when the game’s various modes will be available. The most important thing for those taking advantage of Early Access is that you’ll get the game in minutes.Digital PreorderHave to do it.
(Image credit: Activision)
Important dates at a glance
- October 16:Early access to the campaign for digital preorderers
- October 20:Early access to DMZ for preorderers
- October 23:Full release for everyone at midnight local time
- PC Preload:is already on
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Campaign Early Access
Those with digital preorders will be able to play the campaign starting October 16th. But there’s a catch: Activision hasn’t yet revealed exactly when the campaign will unlock on the 16th. Fortunately, the preload is already available on PC, so you can download the game and get ready.
Return of the DMZ
The most talked-about shooter this time around is the return of the DMZ Extraction. This mode will open in Early Access on October 20th, but only for those who pre-ordered the game digitally. Other players will have to wait until October 23rd.
There’s still no official announcement on the exact timing of DMZ Early Access. Some sources estimate it will open at 10 AM PT. This corresponds to 1 PM on the US East Coast and 6 PM in the UK.
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Time for players from India and Nepal
This is my own calculation, so take it as an estimate. If the 10 a.m. PT statement is correct, the US will be observing Daylight Savings Time at that time, meaning it will be 7 hours behind UTC. Therefore, in Indian Standard Time (IST), the DMZ will be around midnight on October 20th.10:30 amAnd in Nepal, it’s almost night.10:45 amIt could open. But don’t take it for granted until Activision reveals an official time.
The full release will take place on October 23rd at “midnight according to your local time.” This means that players in India and Nepal should be able to access the game at 12 AM. Those who want to stay up and play until midnight are better off preparing in advance.
Take care of storage
For the game you need approximately115GBFree space is required. The official system requirements are available on the Steam page. If you have slow internet or a data-limited plan, it’s wise to start the preload now, as downloading such a large file on release day can be a hassle when servers are overwhelmed.
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Why is a preorder necessary for Early Access?
According to the article, if you don’t preorder, you’ll be able to play directly on October 23rd. This means that Early Access is a pre-order reward. Pre-ordering is a good idea if you want to try out the campaign or DMZ first. If you’re not in a hurry, purchasing after release after reviewing and reviewing initial feedback is also an option.
What did you learn from Beta?
MW4’s beta weekend took place in August of this year. Related reports from PC Gamer revealed that the beta included a campaign mission and Warzone-related elements, a first for Call of Duty. The beta also featured reduced SBMM (skill-based matchmaking) playlists. An early beta patch added a new map and mode, and developer Infinity Ward responded to complaints about footsteps and weapon lethality. The same reporting also noted that Game Pass subscribers received no special privileges in the beta this year.
Call of Duty comes out every year, but this time around, the excitement is especially strong thanks to the return of DMZ. If you want to get early access, get both your digital preorder and preload done quickly. And keep an eye out for any official announcements regarding the release date, as the exact timings for both the campaign and DMZ are still pending.
Are you ready for the DMZ? Let us know which mode you’re most looking forward to in MW4 in the comments below.
