Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Beta Breaks Tradition With Campaign Mission, Tightens PC Security

Activision is putting a single-player campaign mission into a franchise beta for the first time, starting August 21, 2026, with the arrival of 'Entrenched' in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 preview. Typically, these pre-release tests are purely multiplayer shooting galleries, making the narrative detour a notable shift in strategy.

According to a guide published by Activision's Ricochet anti-cheat team, PC players will need to enable specific system security settings before they are allowed to step onto the online battlefield. It is a digital bouncer at the door, making sure your operating system's locks are bolted tight before you can join the lobby. The test will be widely accessible, making its debut on all major platforms, including the Nintendo Switch 2.

The details

• Start date: Friday, August 21, 2026
• Included campaign mission: 'Entrenched'
• Platforms: All platforms, including Nintendo Switch 2
• PC requirement: Specific security settings enabled via Ricochet anti-cheat guidelines

Securing a PC for a beta might feel like setting up dual-factor authentication just to buy a carton of milk, but Activision is clearly prioritizing a clean testing ground. For players on consoles and Switch 2, the barrier to entry remains as simple as hitting download and hoping the servers hold up.