How to Access Call of Duty Early Access: A Comprehensive Guide
Gaining early access to a highly anticipated game like Call of Duty is a privilege many gamers crave. This article provides a complete guide on how to access Call of Duty early, particularly focusing on Modern Warfare III (MW3), and answers the most frequently asked questions surrounding this highly sought-after opportunity.
The Key to Early Access: Digital Pre-Orders
The primary way to secure early access to the Call of Duty franchise, particularly for recent titles, is by digitally pre-ordering the game. This method offers early access to the campaign mode, a week before the official launch. Specifically for Modern Warfare III, if you pre-ordered a digital copy, you could dive into the single-player campaign on November 2nd, 2023, before the full game’s release on November 10th, 2023. It’s important to note that this early access is typically exclusive to the campaign mode and not the multiplayer or other game modes. Physical pre-orders do not grant early access benefits.
Preloading for Early Access
To ensure you’re ready to play the moment early access goes live, many platforms allow preloading. For PC players of Modern Warfare III, preloading for campaign early access began on November 1st at 9 AM PT, with the early access going live on November 2nd at 10 AM PT. Preloading is often a crucial step, allowing players to download the game files in advance, so you can launch straight into the game as soon as it becomes available.
Understanding Early Access Benefits
When you secure early access, it’s essential to understand exactly what that access entails. For Call of Duty titles, this often means access to the single-player campaign a week before the official launch date. For Modern Warfare III, this means you could experience the new Open Combat Missions before everyone else. However, early access does not include the multiplayer mode or the Zombies mode, which launch alongside the global release date of November 10th.
Timing Is Key
Call of Duty early access usually has specific launch times. For Modern Warfare III, campaign early access went live across all platforms (PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Battle.net and Steam) at the same time: 10 AM PT on November 2nd. This meant that players on the U.S. East Coast could start at 1 PM ET. Ensuring you’re aware of the specific launch times for your region will help you make the most of early access.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Call of Duty Early Access?
Call of Duty Early Access is a benefit offered to players who digitally pre-order certain titles, granting them access to the single-player campaign before the official release date. It typically provides a week of early play, allowing fans to experience the story and campaign missions ahead of other players.
2. How do I get Call of Duty Modern Warfare III Early Access?
To get early access to the campaign of Modern Warfare III, you must digitally pre-order the game on any platform (PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, or PC). Physical pre-orders do not include this benefit.
3. When does Call of Duty Modern Warfare III Early Access start?
For Modern Warfare III, campaign early access began on November 2nd, 2023, at 10 AM PT. Preloading was available on PC from November 1st at 9 AM PT.
4. What time is Modern Warfare 3 early access for my region?
The campaign went live across all platforms at the same time, 10 AM PT on November 2nd. Some other launch times include: 1 PM ET (U.S. East Coast) and other regions accordingly.
5. Does early access include Modern Warfare 3 Multiplayer?
No, early access for Modern Warfare III only includes the single-player campaign. Multiplayer modes unlock on the official release date of November 10th.
6. Is Modern Warfare 3 Early Access only for pre-orders?
Yes, early access to the campaign is exclusively for players who digitally pre-order the game. Physical copies do not qualify for this early access perk.
7. What is Preloading and why is it important?
Preloading allows players to download the game files before the official release or early access launch. This ensures they can start playing immediately once the game goes live, rather than waiting for a lengthy download process. This is available for campaign early access on PC.
8. How big is Modern Warfare 3 for Early Access?
The size for early access is typically smaller because it does not include multiplayer or Zombies. However, the full Call of Duty installation on PS5 is around 235GB. The game size can get even bigger after the full release with all game modes.
9. Is Call of Duty Modern Warfare III campaign offline?
Yes, it is very likely that you will be able to play the campaign mode offline in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III. While the game also has online features, the single-player campaign usually functions without an internet connection.
10. How long is the Call of Duty Modern Warfare III campaign?
The Modern Warfare III campaign is relatively short, typically taking around 3-4 hours to complete.
11. How many missions are in the Modern Warfare III campaign?
The Modern Warfare III campaign features a total of 14 missions, with 13 of these missions providing a reward upon completion.
12. Is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III age restricted?
Yes, Call of Duty is rated M for Mature, which means it’s generally not recommended for individuals under 18 years old. Most stores require identification to verify age for purchasing an M-rated game.
13. Can I get early access to the Call of Duty Modern Warfare III beta?
Early access to the beta was available for players who pre-ordered the game on any platform, including PlayStation. However, some beta weekends were open to everyone.
14. What are the minimum PC requirements for Modern Warfare III?
The minimum PC requirements include: Windows 10 64-bit, Intel Core i5-6600 or AMD Ryzen 5 1400 CPU, 8 GB RAM, 2 GB VRAM video card, and an SSD with 149 GB available space.
15. Is Modern Warfare 3 being developed by the same company as Modern Warfare 2?
No, Sledgehammer Games is developing Modern Warfare 3. Infinity Ward developed Modern Warfare 2.
Conclusion
Gaining early access to Call of Duty is a straightforward process, primarily centered around digitally pre-ordering the game. This method grants early access to the campaign, allowing players to experience the single-player story before the full launch. By keeping an eye on specific launch times and ensuring you preload the game, you can dive into the action as soon as early access is available. Remember that the benefits of early access are typically limited to the campaign, with multiplayer and other modes available at the full global release date. With this information, you’re now fully equipped to make the most of early access for your next Call of Duty experience.