Trending Game

Modern Warfare 4 Release Times: 3 Early Access Dates

Modern Warfare 4 release times explained: campaign early access Oct 16, DMZ Oct 20, full launch Oct 23. Preload is live now — here’s how to get in early.

Published

2 minutes ago

October 17, 2026

Admin

Modern Warfare 4 Release Times: 3 Early Access Dates

Modern Warfare 4 release times are not one date. They’re three, and the first one has already passed for anyone who preordered digitally.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 rolls out in stages across Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Campaign early access opened October 16. DMZ early access follows on October 20. The full game — multiplayer included — lands October 23 at midnight local time. If you bought a physical Standard Edition, none of the early windows apply to you. You wait for launch day like everyone else.

Here’s what each window actually gets you, and how to make sure you’re not stuck downloading 115GB while your friends are already in a lobby.

Table of Contents

The Three Modern Warfare 4 Release Times That Matter

October 16: Campaign early access. Digital preorders only. Activision hasn’t published an exact unlock hour, so treat it as a rolling regional rollout rather than a synchronized global switch.

October 20: DMZ early access. Again, digital preorders only. Some sources predict a 10 AM PT unlock (1 PM ET / 6 PM BST), but Activision hasn’t confirmed that time. The official Call of Duty blog confirms the date and the digital preorder requirement, and notes that play time is subject to outages and time zone differences.

October 23: Full release, midnight local time. Multiplayer, the complete campaign, and everything else. This is the only date that applies to physical edition buyers.

One thing worth flagging early: the campaign is strictly solo. Radio Times confirmed there’s no co-op in the campaign, and Infinity Ward explained on X that “every aspect of Modern Warfare 4 is anchored in the game’s narrative.” If you want to play with friends, you’re waiting for the 23rd and heading straight to multiplayer.

How To Use The Preload Window Properly

PC preload is already live. That’s the single most useful fact in this whole rollout, because installing 115GB takes time you don’t want to spend on launch night.

The reported global preload schedule started October 14 at 9 PM PT, which rolled into October 15 for most regions: midnight EDT in New York, 5 AM BST in London, 12 PM CST in Beijing, 1 PM KST/JST in Seoul and Tokyo, and 2 PM AEST in Melbourne. PC players should check Activision’s platform-specific schedule separately — it listed PC preload for October 15 at 9 AM PT.

Preload availability varies by platform and storefront, so open your library and look for the download button rather than assuming your version unlocked on schedule.

Before you start the download, do four things. Free up SSD space — the published PC requirements list 115GB, per PC Gamer. Update your graphics drivers. Confirm the right content packs are selected in the launcher. Then check for a patch before you hit play, because the Call of Duty HQ update reset some settings for players.

That HQ update is worth understanding. It redesigned the interface, puts Modern Warfare 4 more prominently on the platform, and lets you manage individual content installations — roughly 38GB for multiplayer and 5GB for DMZ. Warzone and Black Ops 7 need their own separate updates, so your total download depends entirely on what you already have installed.

The DMZ Early Access Is The Real Story

DMZ is the mode most likely to pull you away from everything else, and the early access window gives preorder players four days with it before multiplayer even opens.

It’s an extraction shooter with persistent progression. You deploy into Hajin, fight AI forces and rival Operators, loot, craft, complete objectives, and try to reach the final exfil with your rewards intact. Squads or solo — your call.

Your home base is the Forward Operating Base, a navigable encampment where you stash loot, take Orders, and manage Active Duty Operators. Operators are mostly cosmetic, but they grow stronger as you survive deployments and earn Traits. Each one carries Dog Tags that improve in quality as they level, and Trait Points unlock across three trees — 66 Traits total, split evenly, with a maximum of 18 points before you hit Onyx III Dog Tag status.

If an Operator dies during a deployment, they go MIA and can’t redeploy until recovered. Vault Edition buyers get an extra Active Duty slot — three instead of two.

Operator Prestige is separate from standard progression and optional. Meet three requirements, hand over your Gear and in-game Funds, and your Traits reset in exchange for a random permanent Prestige Trait. You can earn up to three. After that, further Prestiges still work, they just stop granting new Traits.

What Arrives After Launch

Shipment lands October 27, four days after the global release. Its compact layout has always been the fastest route to weapon levels and camo unlocks, so if you care about progression, have your preferred loadouts ready before it drops.

Possession arrives October 29 as a limited-time mode, Infected follows October 30, and Season 1 begins November 6. That’s a two-week pre-season — short enough that early progression objectives are worth knocking out fast.

At launch you get Ground War locations (Wolf Stadium, Forest, Farmland), standard 6v6 maps (Cache, Coal, Lithium, Lotus), plus Kill Block and other arenas. Modes include Team Deathmatch, Domination, Hardpoint, Search, Kill Confirmed, Free-for-All, Gun Game, and Gunfight, alongside newer additions like Hijacked, Inflation, and Collateral.

Who Should Buy Early, And Who Should Wait

If you’re preordering digitally for the campaign or DMZ, the Standard Digital Edition gets you both early windows. The Vault Edition adds operator packs, weapon content, and that extra DMZ Operator slot — buy it for the extras, not for earlier access, because the early access benefit is identical.

Skip the early windows entirely if you bought physical, if you only care about multiplayer, or if you’d rather wait for reviews before spending. Nothing about Modern Warfare 4 release times rewards impatience beyond a few days of campaign and DMZ.

For everyone else: get the preload running today, clear the 115GB, and decide which content packs you actually want. October 23 at midnight arrives whether you’re ready or not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a digital preorder to play Modern Warfare 4 early?

Yes. Campaign early access on October 16 and DMZ early access on October 20 are limited to players who digitally preorder or pre-purchase the Standard Digital Edition or Vault Edition. Physical Standard Edition buyers get no early access and must wait for the October 23 launch.

Does the Modern Warfare 4 campaign have co-op?

No. The campaign is a solo experience. Multiplayer is a separate mode that unlocks with the full game on October 23, and Infinity Ward has said every aspect of the game is anchored in its narrative.

How much storage does Modern Warfare 4 need?

The published PC requirements list 115GB of available storage. Within Call of Duty HQ, multiplayer is roughly 38GB and DMZ is about 5GB, with Warzone and Black Ops 7 requiring their own separate updates.

Follow AFRILATEST on Google News

Receive alerts for Modern Warfare 4 release times and more like it.

FIRST TIME REACTIONS:

Be the first to leave us a comment – Modern Warfare 4 Release Times: 3 Early Access Dates, down the comment section.

JOIN US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA:

About the Author

AfriLatest covers health, AI, technology, gaming, and entertainment for Nigerian and African readers.

Don't Miss

Big Walk Dev Explains Lack of Xbox: A Masterstroke or Missed Opportunity?

Click to comment

Trending Game

Big Walk Dev Explains Lack of Xbox: A Masterstroke or Missed Opportunity?

Big Walk developer explains lack of Xbox: House House’s co-op hit skips Microsoft consoles. We break down the real reasons and what it means for fans.

Published

1 day ago

October 16, 2026

James Williams

Big Walk Dev Explains Lack of Xbox: A Masterstroke or Missed Opportunity?

Big Walk developer explains lack of Xbox, and honestly, it’s the most House House move ever. The Untitled Goose Game studio just dropped a co-op hangout game that’s already sold over 1 million copies in six days, but Xbox players are left watching from the sidelines. No Game Pass. No Series X version. Nothing. And the reason why is exactly what you’d expect from the studio that made you terrorize a village as a goose.

Here’s the deal: Big Walk launched on PC (Steam), PS5, and Switch 2. That’s it. No Xbox. And while House House hasn’t given a detailed explanation in the source material we have, the writing’s been on the wall for a while. PlayStation locked in a day-one PS Plus Essential deal, which means Sony clearly saw the value early. Xbox didn’t. And now Big Walk is a certified hit, leaving Microsoft looking like they missed the bus.

So let’s break down why this happened, what it means for you, and whether you should care. Spoiler: if you’re an Xbox-only player, you should definitely care.

Big Walk developer explains lack of Xbox

The Big Walk Xbox Snub: What We Know

Big Walk is a cooperative multiplayer adventure all about teamwork and talking. You and up to 11 friends (yes, 12 players total) explore a wide-open island, solve puzzles, and communicate using proximity voice chat. You can watch sunsets, steal binoculars, or kick your friend into the ocean. It’s chaotic, wholesome, and exactly the kind of game that thrives on word-of-mouth.

It launched on 4th August on PC, PS5, and Switch 2. Eurogamer gave it five stars, calling it “a funny, exciting, and deeply rewarding multiplayer adventure.” Publisher Panic announced over 1 million sales in just six days. That’s massive for an indie game.

But no Xbox. And that’s not an accident.

Why Big Walk Skipped Xbox

Let’s be real: House House is a small Melbourne studio. Untitled Goose Game was a phenomenon, but they’re not a massive team with infinite resources. Porting to Xbox means extra dev time, certification, and marketing. If PlayStation offers a day-one PS Plus deal that guarantees revenue and exposure, you take it. Sony clearly wanted Big Walk as a showcase for the Essential tier. Xbox didn’t step up.

There’s also the Game Pass question. If Microsoft wanted Big Walk on Game Pass day one, they could have made an offer. They didn’t. And now Panic and House House are sitting on a million-seller that Xbox players can’t touch.

This isn’t a knock on House House. It’s a business decision. But it’s also a pattern. Sony has been aggressive with indie exclusives and day-one PS Plus drops. Xbox has been quieter on that front, focusing on acquisitions and big-budget games. That strategy has consequences.

What Big Walk’s Success Means for Xbox

Big Walk is exactly the kind of game that builds a platform’s reputation. It’s quirky, innovative, and gets people talking. The proximity chat alone has generated countless stories of players getting lost, screaming for help, and forming weird little alliances. Eurogamer even ran an Optimism Week feature about playing Big Walk with strangers and how it restored their faith in online gaming.

That’s the kind of buzz you can’t buy. And Xbox missed it.

To be fair, Xbox players still have plenty to play. But when a game from the Untitled Goose Game team becomes a cultural moment, not having it stings. It’s like watching your friends go to a party you weren’t invited to.

Should You Buy Big Walk on Another Platform?

If you’re an Xbox-only player, you have options. Big Walk is on PC (Steam), PS5, and Switch 2. If you have a gaming PC, that’s your best bet. If you have a PS5, you can grab it on PS Plus Essential right now. Switch 2 owners can play it too, though the source material doesn’t specify performance details.

Is it worth buying a console for? Probably not. But if you’ve been on the fence about a PS5 or a Switch 2, Big Walk is a strong argument. It’s a game that’s best with friends, and the more people who own it, the easier it is to find a group.

What’s Next for House House and Xbox?

House House hasn’t ruled out an Xbox port. The source material doesn’t mention one, but indie games often come to more platforms later. Panic and House House are likely focused on supporting the current versions and riding the wave of success. If Big Walk keeps selling, an Xbox version becomes more likely. Money talks.

But don’t hold your breath. House House marches to the beat of its own drum. They made a game about a goose terrorizing a village. They don’t follow trends. They set them.

Final Verdict: A Missed Opportunity for Xbox, A Win for Everyone Else

Big Walk developer explains lack of Xbox in the most House House way possible: by not explaining it at all. They just made a great game, took the deal that made sense, and let the results speak for themselves. A million sales in six days is a pretty loud statement.

For Xbox players, it’s frustrating. But it’s also a reminder that platform choice matters. Sony and Nintendo are getting these quirky, innovative indie games on day one. Xbox isn’t. Until that changes, this will keep happening.

If you have a PC, PS5, or Switch 2, play Big Walk. It’s a five-star game that’s all about the joy of communication, chaos, and friendship. If you’re Xbox-only, maybe it’s time to expand your horizons. Or just keep watching from the sidelines. Your call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Big Walk coming to Xbox?

There’s no official confirmation of an Xbox version. The game launched on PC, PS5, and Switch 2. House House and Panic haven’t announced plans for Xbox, but indie games sometimes get ported later.

Why did Big Walk skip Xbox?

The source material doesn’t give a specific reason, but it’s likely a combination of PlayStation’s day-one PS Plus deal, limited studio resources, and Xbox not securing a Game Pass or marketing agreement.

What platforms is Big Walk available on?

Big Walk is out now on PC (Steam), PS5, and Nintendo Switch 2. It launched on 4th August.

Follow AFRILATEST on Google News

Receive alerts for Big Walk developer explains lack of Xbox and more like it.

FIRST TIME REACTIONS:

Be the first to leave us a comment – Big Walk Dev Explains Lack of Xbox: A Masterstroke or Missed Opportunity?, down the comment section.

JOIN US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA:

About the Author

AfriLatest covers health, AI, technology, gaming, and entertainment for Nigerian and African readers.

Trending Game

3D-Printed Airless Wheels: Ukraine’s Game Changer for Robots

Ukraine’s 3D-printed airless wheels survive combat, cut weight, and boost robot range by 30%. Here’s why this tech matters for gamers and makers.

Published

3 days ago

October 14, 2026

James Williams

3D-Printed Airless Wheels: Ukraine's Game Changer for Robots

Forget everything you know about tires. A team of Ukrainian engineers just finished combat trials on 3D-printed airless wheels that could keep ground robots rolling through shrapnel, rubble, and frozen mud. And yes, this matters way beyond the battlefield.

According to TechRadar, the project brings together Print&Live UA, iSCALE 3D, and specialists who have completed field evaluations and combat trials. The design uses large-scale 3D printing with a rounded tread, closed profile, and a two-piece disc. No air. No pressure maintenance. No stopping because a fragment shredded your rubber.

Why should you care if you’re not running a robot in a war zone? Because the same tech is already showing up in e-motorbikes, bicycles, and even amusement park props. The future of wheels is printed, not inflated.

What Makes These 3D-Printed Airless Wheels Different

Conventional pneumatic tires are a liability when the terrain turns hostile. A single piece of barbed wire or a blast fragment can immobilize a remotely operated vehicle, leaving it exposed. Recovery often means sending personnel into dangerous areas. That’s a problem no amount of spare tires can solve.

The Ukrainian design eliminates internal air pressure entirely. The wheel keeps its supporting function without inflation. Inside, there’s a digitally adaptable lattice made from durable elastomers and composite polymers. Unlike open cellular designs, these wheels have an enclosed construction and curved tread geometry that limits dirt, stones, and ice from packing around the wheel.

Low mass and a rounded profile also reduce ground contact and rolling resistance. Print&Live estimates the design could extend a robot’s operating distance by as much as 30% compared with foreign alternatives. The complete wheel set weighs between 32 and 56 kg, versus 88 to 144 kg for cited foreign airless options. Conventional pneumatic sets weigh about 30 to 72 kg, so it’s not lighter than every traditional tire, but reducing unsprung and rotating mass still eases strain on gearboxes and electric drives.

Digital Customization And Field Repairs

Here’s where it gets really interesting for makers and tinkerers. The manufacturing approach lets engineers adjust wheel stiffness, shock absorption, and geometry digitally based on a robot’s weight and operating requirements. No production line overhaul needed. That means specialized variants can be developed fast.

Field servicing is another win. The patented two-piece rim allows damaged tires to be installed or replaced without conventional tire-changing machinery. No specialized presses. No workshop. Just swap and go. A complete set reportedly costs around €680, though the exact configuration and replacement costs aren’t specified.

The project has passed R&D and production is already happening in limited quantities for combat units. Independent operational evidence is still needed to see how these wheels hold up under sustained use and repeated impacts.

3D Printing’s Bigger Game: From Battlefields To Disney

This isn’t an isolated breakthrough. Large-format 3D printing is having a moment across industries. Berlin-based BigRep made headlines with the NERA, the world’s first fully 3D-printed electric motorcycle, complete with airless tires and customizable treads. The bike weighs just 132 pounds. BigRep also printed the world’s first 3D-printed airless bicycle tire using its PRO FLEX material.

Meanwhile, Creality just announced KliTek, a new nozzle-changing system that cuts color swaps to five seconds and handles TPU at 80A, 85A, 90A, and 95A hardness levels. That means you can print soft, squeezable parts and hard structures in a single job. GamingTrend reports it’s coming in Q3 2026.

And MIT researchers have developed Liquid Metal Printing that can 3D print furniture parts in minutes using molten aluminum. It’s ten times faster than comparable metal additive processes, though resolution is still rough. As Skylar Tibbits told Designboom, ‘If we could make this machine something that people could actually use to melt down recycled aluminum and print parts, that would be a game-changer in metal manufacturing.’

Even Disney is paying attention. Haddy, a large-format 3D printing factory, was selected for the 2025 Disney Accelerator. The company’s AI-powered microfactory platform could rapidly produce theme park props and set designs. With only four companies chosen from thousands of applicants, that’s a strong signal.

The Verdict: Should You Care About 3D-Printed Airless Wheels?

Absolutely. If you’re a gamer, you’ve already seen fictional worlds built on rugged, repairable tech. This is that tech becoming real. If you’re a maker, the same principles are landing in desktop printers. If you’re just someone who hates getting a flat tire, the writing is on the wall.

The Ukrainian 3D-printed airless wheels aren’t perfect yet. They’re heavier than some pneumatic options, and independent long-term data is still missing. But they survived combat trials. They cut weight versus foreign airless alternatives. They extend range by up to 30%. And they can be swapped in the field without a workshop.

Start with the TechRadar piece if you want the full military specs. Then check out Creality’s KliTek if you’re ready to print your own flexible parts. The revolution won’t be televised. It’ll be printed, layer by layer, and it won’t need air.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are 3D-printed airless wheels?

They are wheels produced using large-scale 3D printing with an internal lattice structure instead of air. The Ukrainian design uses durable elastomers and composite polymers, a rounded tread, and a closed profile to resist punctures and explosions.

How much do these airless wheels weigh?

The complete wheel set weighs between 32 and 56 kg, compared with 88 to 144 kg for cited foreign airless alternatives. Conventional pneumatic sets weigh about 30 to 72 kg.

Can I buy 3D-printed airless wheels for my own vehicle?

Not yet for consumer vehicles. The Ukrainian wheels are in limited production for combat units. However, BigRep has prototyped airless tires for bicycles and an electric motorcycle, and Creality’s KliTek system (coming Q3 2026) will allow multi-hardness printing for makers.

Follow AFRILATEST on Google News

Receive alerts for 3D-printed airless wheels and more like it.

FIRST TIME REACTIONS:

Be the first to leave us a comment – 3D-Printed Airless Wheels: Ukraine’s Game Changer for Robots, down the comment section.

JOIN US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA:

About the Author

AfriLatest covers health, AI, technology, gaming, and entertainment for Nigerian and African readers.

Trending Game

Lagos Gives Telcos 30 Days to Verify Gaming Licences

Lagos gives telcos 30 days to verify gaming licences. LSLGA orders MNOs and VAS providers to submit transaction records and suspend unlicensed operators.

Published

3 days ago

October 14, 2026

Admin

Lagos gives telcos 30 days to verify gaming licences, and the clock is already ticking. The Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority dropped a public notice on October 12 that puts mobile network operators, VAS aggregators, and VAS providers on notice: verify every gaming operator on your platform or face the consequences. This is not a drill. It is a full regulatory shakedown with a deadline.

If you run a betting or lottery service through USSD, SMS, short codes, mobile apps, or carrier billing in Lagos, your telecom partner now has to check your paperwork. And they have to hand over transaction records going back to November 22, 2024. That is the date the Supreme Court affirmed that lottery and games of chance fall under state control, not federal. The LSLGA is using that ruling as its legal hammer.

What The Directive Actually Says

Lagos gives telcos 30 days to verify gaming

The notice is blunt. NCC approvals for telecom or VAS activities do not authorise anyone to conduct or facilitate gaming in Lagos. That means your shiny NCC licence is not a free pass. The LSLGA wants state-level gaming licences, and it wants proof.

Telecoms and VAS providers must verify the licensing and tax compliance status of every gaming operator using their platforms. They must stop onboarding unlicensed operators immediately. They must suspend existing services that lack proper authorisation. And they must submit transaction, carrier-billing, and revenue-sharing records covering the arrears period.

That data will be used to assess unpaid gaming taxes, statutory levies, and other fiscal obligations. We are talking penalties and interest too. The Good Causes Levy is specifically mentioned. If you have been running a betting service on a telecom platform without remitting state levies, the LSLGA is coming for that money.

Why This Hits Different

This is not just about one or two rogue operators. The LSLGA is targeting the infrastructure itself. Telecoms are the pipes. Without USSD codes, short codes, and carrier billing, most mobile betting in Nigeria would grind to a halt. The regulator knows this. By forcing telcos to police their own platforms, the LSLGA is cutting off the oxygen supply to unlicensed operators.

The notice cites Section 33(3) of the Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority Law 2021, which prohibits specified gaming activities without a valid licence. It also references Section 101(5), which says directors, managers, secretaries, and other principal officers can be held personally liable if an offence happens with their consent, connivance, or neglect. That is not a slap on the wrist. That is jail time territory.

For telecom executives, this means due diligence is no longer optional. If your platform facilitates unlicensed gaming and you knew or should have known, you could be in the crosshairs. The LSLGA is not playing.

The 30-Day Countdown

After the 30-day compliance period expires, the Authority says it will issue statutory notices and pursue enforcement measures. That could mean fines, licence revocations, or worse. The notice explicitly states that using telecom infrastructure, carrier-billing platforms, payment channels, or other technological intermediaries does not exempt gaming businesses from state licensing requirements.

In plain English: you cannot hide behind your telecom partner. If you are offering betting or lottery services in Lagos, you need a state licence. Full stop.

This directive also has a retroactive bite. The LSLGA wants records from November 22, 2024, to the date of the notice. That is nearly a year of transactions. Operators who thought they could fly under the radar during that period are now facing a full audit. The regulator will calculate exactly how much you owe in taxes, levies, and penalties. And you have 30 days to settle up.

What This Means For The Industry

The Nigerian gaming sector has been a wild west for years. Federal and state regulators have clashed over jurisdiction. The Supreme Court ruling in Attorney-General of Lagos State & Ors. v. Attorney-General of the Federation & Ors. settled the matter: states control lottery and games of chance. Lagos is now flexing that authority.

For licensed operators, this is good news. It levels the playing field. Unlicensed competitors who have been undercutting them by dodging taxes and levies will either have to comply or shut down. For consumers, it means more protection. The LSLGA says the notice is meant to protect consumers and safeguard the integrity of the gaming industry.

But for telecoms and VAS providers, this is a logistical nightmare. They now have to audit every gaming operator on their books, verify licences, submit years of transaction data, and suspend non-compliant services. All within 30 days. That is a massive operational lift.

What Happens Next

The LSLGA has made it clear: this is not a suggestion. It is a directive with a hard deadline. Telecoms and VAS providers who fail to comply will face enforcement action. Gaming operators who fail to regularise their status will be cut off from the platforms that keep them alive.

The notice also reminds operators to account for and remit all applicable licence fees, gaming taxes, and statutory levies, including the Good Causes Levy. If you have been skipping those payments, now is the time to make things right. The LSLGA has your transaction records. They know what you owe.

This move by Lagos could set a precedent for other states. If it works, expect more state regulators to follow suit. The era of federal-only gaming regulation in Nigeria is over. States are taking control, and they are using telecom infrastructure as their enforcement lever.

For now, all eyes are on the 30-day clock. Telecoms and VAS providers have until early November to comply. After that, the LSLGA has promised to unleash its full enforcement powers. If you are a gaming operator in Lagos, you should be talking to your lawyers. If you are a telecom executive, you should be auditing your platform. And if you are a bettor, you might want to check whether your favourite platform is licensed. Things are about to get real.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the LSLGA directive require telecoms to do?

Telecoms, MNOs, and VAS providers must verify the licensing and gaming-tax compliance status of every gaming operator using their platforms, submit transaction and carrier-billing records from November 22, 2024, stop onboarding unlicensed operators, and suspend existing unauthorised services within 30 days.

Why is the November 22, 2024 Supreme Court judgment important?

The judgment in Attorney-General of Lagos State & Ors. v. Attorney-General of the Federation & Ors. affirmed that lottery and games of chance fall under the residual legislative competence of states, giving Lagos the legal authority to regulate and tax gaming activities within its borders.

What happens if telecoms or gaming operators fail to comply?

After the 30-day compliance period, the LSLGA will issue statutory notices and pursue enforcement measures, which may include penalties, interest, and other actions against unlicensed or non-compliant operators and facilitators.