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MW4 DMZ Early Access

DMZ Early Access started Oct 20 for anyone who pre-ordered or pre-purchased Modern Warfare 4 digitally[1][2]. @CODUpdates reports that it began at 10 AM PT Reported[3]. It runs until the full launch on Oct 23[1][2].

Last verified: 2026-10-21 · Based on: official pre-release intel · Game status: Early access

By Wade

Who gets DMZ Early Access

Early access comes with a digital pre-order or pre-purchase of Modern Warfare 4[1][2]. Here is what counts.

  • Both digital editions. The Standard Edition and the Vault Edition both get early access[1][2].
  • Every platform. You can play on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2. On PC, you can play through Battle.net, Steam and Xbox on PC[2][1].
  • Game Pass. Modern Warfare Wiki reports that Modern Warfare 4 isn't on Game Pass at launch. So Game Pass doesn't get you in Reported[4].
  • Physical copies. Activision lists early access for digital pre-orders and pre-purchases[1].

DMZ Early Access start time in your time zone

DMZ Early Access opened on Tuesday, October 20[1][2]. @CODUpdates reports that it began at the same moment all over the world, at 10 AM PT Reported[3]. We worked out the local times below from that report.

Time zoneEarly access began
PT (Los Angeles)Tue, Oct 20, 10 AM
ET (New York)Tue, Oct 20, 1 PM
UTCTue, Oct 20, 17:00
BST (London)Tue, Oct 20, 6 PM
CEST (Paris, Berlin)Tue, Oct 20, 7 PM
IST (India)Tue, Oct 20, 10:30 PM
CST (Beijing)Wed, Oct 21, 1 AM
JST and KST (Tokyo, Seoul)Wed, Oct 21, 2 AM
AEDT (Sydney)Wed, Oct 21, 4 AM

Campaign early access had its own, earlier date. It opened on Friday, October 16[2][1].

Activision warns that outages and time zones can affect start times. It also says dates may change[1][2]. For the full launch times, see our MW4 DMZ release date page.

How to play DMZ Early Access

  1. Get a digital copy. Pre-order or pre-purchase the Standard or Vault Edition on your platform[1][2].
  2. Install the update. @CODUpdates reports that early access needs an update. It says the update would reach every platform by Monday, October 19, at 9 AM PT Reported[3].
  3. Start DMZ. Open Modern Warfare 4 and choose DMZ. You start at the FOB, short for Forward Operating Base. It is your hub between runs[2].
  4. Deploy into Hajin. Use the Deploy station at the FOB to drop into Hajin, the DMZ map. Squad Fill can add two other players to your squad[2].
Four steps to play DMZ Early Access: a digital pre-order, the update, DMZ at the FOB, then deploy into Hajin.

Preload and download size

Here is what we know about the download so far.

  • Online only. Modern Warfare 4 streams textures while you play. So DMZ needs a continuous internet connection[1].
  • PC space. Modern Warfare Wiki reports that the PC version needs 115 GB of free SSD space Reported[4]. Our release date page lists the other PC needs.
  • Download sizes. Modern Warfare Wiki reports that Activision hasn't posted download sizes for each platform Reported[4].
  • PC preload. A digital pre-purchase on PC lets you preload the game before launch. PC preloading opened on October 15 at 9 AM PT[5].

Why can't I play DMZ Early Access?

Is MW4 DMZ Early Access not working for you? Check these points in order.

  • Your copy. Early access is for digital pre-orders and pre-purchases of the Standard or Vault Edition[1][2].
  • The update. Make sure the update is installed. @CODUpdates reports that early access needs it Reported[3].
  • Your connection. DMZ needs a continuous internet connection[1].
  • Console online plan. You need PlayStation Plus, Game Pass Essential or Nintendo Switch Online to play online modes[1].
  • PC security. On PC, Modern Warfare 4 needs TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot[1].
  • The time. @CODUpdates reports that early access opened at 10 AM PT on October 20 Reported[3]. In East Asia and Australia, it was already Wednesday. Check the time zone table.
  • Outages. Activision warns that outages can affect start times[1][2].

Stuck on the Gear Up order?

Activision Support lists a known DMZ bug from October 20[6]. The first DMZ Order is called Gear Up. You can't finish it if you sell the Backpacks, Armor Vests or Medkits it asks for. For now, Activision suggests you join a friend and deploy into DMZ. It says your Gear Up progress comes back once you reach Hajin[6].

What's in DMZ Early Access

Activision says early access includes all of DMZ, so you get the full mode[2][1].

  • Hajin. You deploy into Hajin, the DMZ map[2]. See our MW4 DMZ map for its major locations and threat levels.
  • The FOB. Your base has stations for Operators, your stash and loadout, DMZ Orders and more. Others open as you level up. The 3D Printer opens at DMZ level 2, the Vendor at level 5 and the Gunsmith at level 10[2].
  • Vault Edition bonus. Vault owners get one extra Active Duty Operator slot. So they have three slots at the start, not two[1][2].

New to DMZ? Read what DMZ is and how a run works on our home page.

What to do in your first three days

Early access runs until the October 23 launch[1][2]. These tips use only what Activision has shared, plus our map.

  1. Start the DMZ Orders. The DMZ Orders station is open from the start. The Boss Board opens after your second Order[2].
  2. Keep your Gear Up items. Don't sell the Backpacks, Armor Vests or Medkits that the first Order needs. See the Gear Up bug above[6].
  3. Learn the map. Read about Hajin's areas on our map page before you deploy.
  4. Protect your best gear. If you fail to extract, you lose anything outside your backpack's Secure Slots. Upgraded backpacks add those slots[2].
  5. Look after your Operator. If your Operator is eliminated, they go Missing in Action. You can pay DMZ Cash to get them back. They keep their Traits but not their gear[2].

FAQ

When does MW4 DMZ Early Access start?

It started on Tuesday, October 20[1][2]. @CODUpdates reports that it began at 10 AM PT, at the same moment all over the world Reported[3]. That was 17:00 UTC.

Who gets DMZ Early Access?

Anyone with a digital pre-order or pre-purchase of Modern Warfare 4 gets it. That means the Standard or Vault Edition, on any platform[1][2].

Do you need to pre-order to play DMZ early?

Yes. Activision lists early access for digital pre-orders and pre-purchases[1][2].

Is DMZ Early Access on Game Pass?

No. Modern Warfare Wiki reports that Modern Warfare 4 isn't on Game Pass at launch. So Game Pass doesn't include early access Reported[4]. Our release date page has more on Game Pass.

Is DMZ Early Access the full mode?

Yes. Activision says early access includes all of DMZ[2][1].

Why can't I play DMZ Early Access?

First, check that you have a digital pre-order or pre-purchase[1][2]. Then check that the update is installed. @CODUpdates reports that early access needs it Reported[3]. DMZ also needs a continuous internet connection[1]. On PC, you need TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot[1]. See the full checklist above.

Where to next

Sources

  1. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Editions · Activision Support · 2026-10-13 · accessed 2026-10-21
  2. DMZ Deep Dive, Part 2: Forward Operating Base · Activision · 2026-10-09 · accessed 2026-10-21
  3. Call of Duty Updates (@CODUpdates) on X · @CODUpdates · 2026-10-17 (00:40 UTC) · accessed 2026-10-21
  4. DMZ Early Access guide · Modern Warfare Wiki · accessed 2026-10-21
  5. Modern Warfare 4 PC Trailer, Tech Updates, and More · Activision · 2026-09-29 · accessed 2026-10-21
  6. Known Issues in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 · Activision Support · accessed 2026-10-21