How to Install Call of Duty Multiplayer Only: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re itching to jump into the heart-pounding action of Call of Duty multiplayer, but you’re not interested in the single-player campaign, Special Ops, or other modes? You’re not alone. Many players prefer to streamline their game installations and focus solely on the competitive multiplayer experience. The good news is, yes, you can install only multiplayer for most Call of Duty titles! This article provides a detailed guide on how to do just that, along with answers to frequently asked questions.

Installing Multiplayer Only: Step-by-Step

The process to install only the multiplayer portion of a Call of Duty game varies slightly depending on the specific title and platform. However, the general principle is the same: selectively choosing the game content you wish to install. Here’s a breakdown of the typical steps:

For Battle.net (Modern Warfare, Cold War, etc.)

1. Launch the Battle.net Application: Open the Battle.net Desktop App on your PC.
2. Select Your Game: Choose the specific Call of Duty title you want to play from the list of installed games. For example, Modern Warfare, or Cold War.
3. Access the Options Menu: Locate and click on the Options menu, usually represented by a blue cogwheel icon, often found next to the “Play” button.
4. Modify Install: From the drop-down menu, select “Modify Install”. This opens a new window related to the game’s content.
5. Adjust Game Content: Inside the Modify Install window, look for a section labeled “Game Content”. Here you’ll find options to check or uncheck various components such as:
   • Campaign
   • Multiplayer
   • Special Ops
   • Survival
   • Zombies (for titles like Cold War)
6. Select Multiplayer Only: Uncheck all options except “Multiplayer”. Make sure that “Multiplayer” has a checkmark next to it.
7. Confirm Your Selection: Click the “Confirm” or “Start Install” button, or another similar prompt to initiate the installation of the selected content only. Battle.net will download and install just the necessary files for multiplayer.

For Steam (Modern Warfare II, etc.)

1. Launch Steam: Start the Steam client on your computer.
2. Select Your Game: Navigate to the game in your Steam library, in this example, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II.
3. Go to Properties: Right-click on the game and select “Properties” from the drop-down menu.
4. Choose DLC: In the Properties window, select the “DLC” tab.
5. Select Multiplayer Content: In the list of DLC, you’ll find the different game components. Uncheck the boxes for any mode you do not want installed, making sure multiplayer related DLC is checked.
6. Confirm Your Selections: The changes will often automatically begin downloading; however, ensure to click ‘OK’ or confirm any prompts. Steam will handle the rest by only downloading the files associated with your chosen DLC.

Console (PlayStation and Xbox)

The process on consoles may be slightly different, but often involves going into a “Manage Game” or “Add-ons” section.

1. Navigate to Your Game: Locate your Call of Duty game on the console’s dashboard.
2. Manage Game/Add-ons: Select the game and then choose “Manage Game and Add-ons” or a similar option.
3. Choose Specific Components: You’ll see a list of available components like Campaign, Multiplayer, Special Ops, etc. Choose the multiplayer options.
4. Download: If you have the game on disc, the system may then install only those specific components that you selected.

Important Note: The exact wording and menus may differ slightly based on the platform and Call of Duty title, but the overall procedure remains the same: You selectively choose to download only the files for the multiplayer mode.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to provide additional clarity on the topic:

1. Why does Call of Duty sometimes say “Please Install Multiplayer?” This error occurs when the necessary game files for the multiplayer mode are either missing, not fully installed, or corrupted. It’s a cue to re-install or verify the integrity of your game files.

2. Can I delete the Campaign or other modes later if I install them initially? Yes, at any time, you can use the same Modify Install process (or similar) to uninstall game components you no longer want, freeing up storage space.

3. Why won’t COD let me play multiplayer? Several factors can prevent you from playing multiplayer. Besides missing files, this can be due to corrupted cache data, issues with your internet connection, or server problems on Activision’s end. Clearing your cache can sometimes resolve this issue.

4. Do I need specific ‘packs’ to play multiplayer? Yes, some Call of Duty games require specific multiplayer packs. These may include data packs or dedicated multiplayer DLC. Always ensure that you have all required components downloaded. On older platforms like the Xbox One, it may require multiple packs. On PC and Playstation it may be data pack 1 and multiplayer pack 2.

5. Can I play Call of Duty multiplayer offline? While most Call of Duty multiplayer is online, you can play some game modes offline in private matches against bots, or with local split-screen players on the same console.

6. Which Call of Duty games have no single-player campaigns? Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is notable as a title that forgoes the traditional single-player campaign, focusing entirely on multiplayer, zombies, and battle royale.

7. Is multiplayer free for some Call of Duty games? Yes, periodically, Activision offers free access to Call of Duty multiplayer, particularly for newer titles like Modern Warfare II. This free access can be a great way to try out the game before committing to a purchase.

8. Why is my MW2 multiplayer locked? Being locked out of multiplayer can stem from server issues, incomplete game downloads, or problems with account verification. A quick restart of the game is often the first step to troubleshoot these problems.

9. How big is a Call of Duty game? The file sizes of Call of Duty games can be quite substantial, especially on newer consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X, and this is mostly due to the extra texture packs. By installing only the necessary components, you can dramatically reduce the storage space required.

10. What does ‘Partially Installed’ mean? “Partially Installed” signifies that not all components of the game have been installed. This is typically the case when you choose to omit the single-player campaign or other game modes.

11. Can I play cross-platform with friends? Yes, most modern Call of Duty titles support cross-platform multiplayer, enabling you to play with friends on different platforms (PC, Xbox, PlayStation). Make sure to add friends using their Activision ID.

12. Does playing the campaign unlock anything for multiplayer? Yes, in some games, completing campaign missions can unlock calling cards, emblems, XP tokens, and even operators for use in multiplayer.

13. Can I play COD as a single player? Yes, absolutely. Almost all Call of Duty games offer single-player campaigns in addition to the multiplayer modes.

14. How do I play COD with my friend? You can add friends via their in-game names, or Activision ID, and by adding them from a recent match, and then invite them to your party from the “Social” menu of the game.

15. Can you play multiplayer 1v1? Yes, on Call of Duty Mobile you can play 1v1 via private match by switching the mode to “1v1 Duel” in the settings menu.

By understanding the steps outlined in this article, and addressing your questions, you can effectively install only the multiplayer mode of your chosen Call of Duty game and jump into the action faster while saving valuable storage space. Happy gaming!