Activision Reveals Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Multiplayer: 12 New Maps, Tanks, and Beta Starting August 21

Infinity Ward and publisher Activision have revealed details about the multiplayer mode of the shooter Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. The game will feature 12 brand-new maps for 6v6 battles, a dynamically transforming arena called Kill Block, and a large-scale Ground War mode with armored vehicles. The first phase of the beta test kicks off on August 21.

The full release is scheduled for October 23, 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2, with no support for previous-generation consoles.

6v6 Maps and the Dynamic Kill Block Arena

At launch, the multiplayer will include 12 original classic locations, including the Korean fishing village of Lotus, the snow-covered rooftops of New York, and residential districts of Mumbai. Shortly after release, the developers will add two more arenas familiar from previous installments of the franchise.

The main technical experiment is the Kill Block location — a training ground whose geometry and cover physically reconfigure between rounds, creating hundreds of possible battlefield configurations.

Ground War Returns and Beta Phases

For fans of large-scale battles, the shooter brings back the Ground War mode, featuring armored vehicles and combined infantry-tank operations.

Multiplayer testing will begin as part of the open beta program:

• August 21–25: closed phase for users who pre-ordered on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S (starting right after the Call of Duty: NEXT stream);
• August 28 – September 1: fully open beta for all players without a mandatory pre-order, including owners of the Nintendo Switch 2.

The test version will include 6v6 modes, Kill Block, Ground War: Combat Outpost, a trial single-player mission called Entrenched, and the Warzone battle royale with the Zodiac map for Resurgence mode.

Campaign and Early Access

The storyline focuses on the outbreak of a full-scale conflict on the Korean Peninsula and Captain Price’s special operations in New York and Paris. Players with a digital pre-order will get early access to the campaign a week before the official release — on October 16.

Weapons hot. Apex Attachments activated. Killstreaks online.

12 all-new 6v6 Maps, Kill Block and Ground War locked in.

This is Modern Warfare 4 Multiplayer. Pre-Order now to get Early Access to the MW4 Beta: https://t.co/oyl7FeW4X9 pic.twitter.com/EQi0QuGqn6

— Call of Duty (@CallofDuty) August 19, 2026