Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 opens DMZ early access on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, for players who digitally preorder the Standard Digital Edition or Vault Edition. The full game launches Friday, October 23, so here is what to confirm before your first trip into Hajin.
Official DMZ gameplay trailer
Watch the official DMZ Early Access Gameplay Trailer below for a look at the Exclusion Zone before you deploy.
DMZ at a glance
| Early access | Tuesday, October 20, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Who gets in | Digital preorders of the Standard Digital Edition or Vault Edition |
| Full launch | Friday, October 23, 2026 |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam, Battle.net or Xbox on PC, and Nintendo Switch 2 |
| Opening time | Not announced |
| Download size | Not announced by platform |
When does DMZ early access start?
Activision confirms October 20 as the DMZ early access date, but has not published an exact opening hour in Eastern, Pacific or Central European time. Do not plan your day around a circulating countdown. Check the official Call of Duty channels and your platform store for the actual unlock. Campaign early access began October 16, which is a separate benefit and does not mean DMZ is playable yet.
Who gets in early?
Digital preorders of either the Standard Digital Edition or Vault Edition qualify. The official Call of Duty guide includes PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC through Steam, Battle.net or Xbox on PC. On the US Steam store, the Standard Edition is listed at USD 69.99 and the Vault Edition at USD 99.99. Those are Steam prices, not a claim that every storefront charges the same amount. The PC preload began October 15 at 9 a.m. Pacific, according to Activision, but an official DMZ download size for each platform has not been supplied.
What are you dropping into?
Hajin is the new Exclusion Zone. You can enter solo or join a squad, confront AI forces and rival players, pursue missions, gather loot and extract with what you can carry. The Forward Operating Base gives you a place to manage your stash and prepare equipment between runs. DMZ has its own Player Level track from 1 through 70, distinct from the broader game progression. This is an extraction mode with real stakes, not a conventional multiplayer match: failing to extract can cost your carried gear even while you continue to earn experience.
Before you drop in
- Choose your entry carefully. Squad Fill pairs you with two other players, while solo deployment is also supported.
- Check your stash and loadout at the Forward Operating Base before committing valuable equipment. A free loadout is available if you want a lower risk first run.
- Prioritize an exit plan. Loot only helps your persistent inventory if you get it out of Hajin.
- Expect both AI patrols and human Operators. The official guide describes escalating enemy responses as activity draws attention.
Our Take
This is the DMZ we asked for back in June. Now we find out if it holds up. Hajin’s persistent inventory, solo option and mission structure sound promising, but the design only works if runs feel fair. We want strong anti cheat protection because cheaters can ruin persistent progression faster than any difficult extraction. That is an editorial hope, not a claim about the final game’s security. We will reserve any performance judgment until we can play the live build and see how extraction actually feels.
Read next
- Our October 13 DMZ early access report
- Modern Warfare 4 open beta on Switch 2
- New multiplayer and early access details
- PC trailer and technical updates
Gaming news worth your time.
Follow GamingBroject on Google: add us as a preferred source
Community
0 comments