With the release date of Modern Warfare 3 inching closer day by day, fans are looking forward to getting their hands on the beta to get a taste of the gunplay and maps featured in this year’s Call of Duty entry. If you are increasingly eager to experience the next chapter in this beloved series before its full release, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we will not only unveil the Modern Warfare 3 beta release date but also walk you through the steps to joining the beta when it goes online.
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Modern Warfare 3 Beta Release Date
The Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 beta occurs on the first two weekends of October 2023. Despite Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision, PlayStation users still get access to the beta on the first weekend. On the other hand, the rest of the console will be able to access the beta on the second weekend, while PlayStation players will continue to have access on the second weekend.
Here are the specific timelines for the first beta weekend, exclusive to PlayStation users:
- Early access – Friday 6th to Saturday 7th October.
- Open beta – Sunday 8th to Tuesday 10th October.
Here are the Modern Warfare 3 beta release dates, available for all platforms:
- Early access (Xbox + PC), open beta (PlayStation) – Thursday 12th to Friday 13th October.
- Open beta (All platforms) – Saturday 14th to Monday 16th October.
Early Access vs. Open Beta
While looking at the beta timings, you’ll notice two different times for early access and open beta. This is because players can get two different types of access for the upcoming Modern Warfare 3 beta. The first is early access, which is only available for players who have the beta code or pre-order the digital version of the game, allowing them to play the MW3 beta a couple of days before the others. On the other hand, open beta is available for everyone to download and play.
As mentioned earlier, you need a beta code if you want to join the experience MW3 in the early access period. To get a Modern Warfare 3 beta code, here is what you need to do:
- Pre-order the game either the physical copy or digitally. Individuals who preorder the digital version of the game will automatically be granted access to early access beta on their chosen platform, while physical orders will receive a beta code from that retailer.
- Participate in the official giveaway by simply logging into the official Call of Duty website for a chance to win a code.
- Players in the US can claim a beta code through the Xfinity Rewards members membership.
- Players in the UK can win a Beta code by participating in the giveaway hosted by EE, which is also open to non-EE users.
In short, the only guaranteed way to get the beta code is through pre-ordering Modern Warfare 3. If you don’t want to pre-order, you can simply wait a couple of days to play the open beta.
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Modern Warfare 3 Beta Start Timings
As the anticipation builds, enthusiastic players are eager to learn the precise moment the beta kicks off. Call of Duty fans would be delighted to hear that the beta for Modern Warfare 3 will start and end at 10 AM PDT. Here are the exact timings for different timezones:
- 6 PM BST (UK)
- 7 PM CEST (West mainland Europe)
- 10 AM PDT (West Coast of North America)
- 1 PM EDT (East Coast of North America)
How to Join Modern Warfare 3 Early Access Beta
As mentioned earlier, to join the early access beta, you need to have a beta code if you’ve pre-ordered the physical copy of the game or won the code in a giveaway. Once you get your hands on a beta code, you have to redeem it by following the steps below:
- First, head on over to the official Call of Duty website.
- Log into your Call of Duty/Activision account (Create one if you haven’t already).
- Enter the beta code, and select your platform and region.
- Once you enter the details, a code will be emailed to the email address registered to your account before the beta period begins.
- Simply input the code when you launch the early access of Modern Warfare.
It is worth noting that this method is only for individuals who get a beta code from a vendor or third-party source. If you digitally pre-order MW3, you’ll automatically have early access without needing a beta code.
How to Join Modern Ware 3 Open Beta
For individuals who just want to join the open beta, all you have to do is head to the store on your PC (Steam or Battle.net) or console and download the open beta when it becomes available on your platform. The release dates for the open beta for specific platforms are mentioned above.
Conclusion
With the countdown to the highly anticipated release of Modern Warfare 3 ticking away, fans are on the edge of their seat, waiting to sink their teeth into the latest entry in the Call of Duty franchise. For such eager fans, the early access and open beta are a great way to experience the game before the full launch in order to get a feel for how the game works, try out the new features and decide whether it is worth buying. Since the beta is releasing in the first two weekends of October, prepare your gear, rally your squad, and prepare for an early taste of Modern Warfare 3.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which Maps Are Featured in the Modern Warfare 3 Beta?
In both the early access and open beta for Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3, there will be six maps. Five of them, namely, Favela, Estate, Rust, Skidrow, and Ground War map Popov Power Plant, will be available on the first weekend, whereas the sixth map, Highrise, will join the rotation on the second weekend.
Will the Progress in the Modern Warfare 3 Beta Carry Over to the Main Game?
Like other betas in the Call of Duty franchise, the progress in the Modern Warfare beta will not carry over to the main game when it finally releases. When the game fully releases, players will have to start from scratch. However, for PlayStation users, the progress on the beta will carry over from one beta weekend to the next.
Will Modern Warfare 3 Beta Have Crossplay?
While Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 has two beta weekends, crossplay functionality will be exclusively available during the second weekend. This is because, on the first weekend, only PlayStation users will be able to play the game. However, in the second beta weekend, the open beta will commence, and users of all platforms will have access to the game, allowing for crossplay.