Early access for the campaign mode in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 begins in less than a week. There are several start dates as Infinity Ward/Activision is going with the staggered release to give fans a chance to fully experience the game within its first week. Here are the 10 things you should know about Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. Let’s talk video games.

Modern Warfare 4 Key Facts

1. Modern Warfare 4 Releases Oct. 23, but Early Access Starts Oct. 16

Modern Warfare 4 launches worldwide on Friday, Oct. 23. Players who digitally pre-order the Standard or Vault Edition get campaign early access starting Oct. 16 and DMZ early access starting Oct. 20, per Call of Duty .

I love that the campaign is getting four full days to shine. I’m still a campaign guy and I hate that multiplayer is stealing the thunder from single-player experiences. It would be great to see sports games follow this same pattern whenever they have single-player modes.

2. It’s Coming to PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC and Switch 2

The game launches on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC through Steam, Battle.net and the Xbox app. There are no PS4 or Xbox One versions, per Game News Plus .

Almost every system is getting in on the party here.

3. Standard Costs $69.99 and the Vault Edition Costs $99.99

Eligible returning Call of Duty players get 10% off the Vault Edition during the pre-order window, which runs until Oct. 23, per Call of Duty .

Serious COD players aren’t batting an eye. They’re going for the Vault Edition from Day One. They know they are likely to spend the additional money for upgrades throughout the year anyway.

4. The Campaign Starts With a North Korean Invasion

North Korea launches a full-scale invasion, and players control Private Park, a young South Korean soldier seeing combat for the first time. Captain Price, now an outlaw, wages a separate war from the shadows. The story also moves to New York, Paris and Mumbai, per Call of Duty.

The campaign takes place on the Korean Peninsula. The visuals and voice acting look stellar. It would be great to see new chapters released throughout the cycle.

5. Multiplayer Launches With 12 New 6v6 Maps

Activision confirmed 12 new 6v6 maps at launch, plus larger maps that mix infantry and vehicle combat.

The 12 new maps will be the talk of the community during that first week after multiplayer launches. The larger environments are just as intriguing to me as the new matchbox-sized maps that lead to tons of action.

READ MORE: More Modern Warfare 4 Coverage

  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta is as Loaded as Ever
  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Has a Release Date — Here’s How to Pre-Order and Which Edition to Get

6. DMZ Returns as an Extraction Mode

DMZ is set in Hajin, known as the Exclusion Zone. Players deploy solo or in a squad, fight AI forces and rival players, and try to extract with loot. A Forward Operating Base serves as home between deployments, per Call of Duty .

DMZ was popular with fans, and thus it makes sense to have it return as an extraction mode.

7. Digital Pre-Orders Unlock Early Access

Early access applies only to digital pre-orders and pre-purchases. PC players who buy digitally can preload starting Oct. 15 at 9 a.m. PT, per Game News Plus.

Digital pre-orders are the way to go if you’re looking to play early.

8. Vault Owners Get a DMZ Head Start

Vault Edition players start DMZ with three Active Duty slots instead of two. They also get a Deployment Kit with two each of Weapon Insurance Contracts, Operator Rescue Beacons, Fulton Drop Markers, Medium Backpacks and 2-Plate Carriers.

9. Online Play Has Requirements

An Activision account is required, and online console play may require the platform’s paid membership. PC players need TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot, per Call of Duty. Multiplayer supports cross-play and cross-progression.

10. Modern Warfare 4 Won’t Be on Game Pass at Launch

Despite Microsoft owning Activision, Modern Warfare 4 isn’t available through Game Pass at launch, per Game News Plus, which cites the official pre-order guide. Players need to buy the game to play it Oct. 23.