Quick answer

Modern Warfare 4 launches October 23, 2026 as a standalone game that must be purchased separately.
It is not included with Game Pass at launch; Activision plans to bring it to the service in Holiday 2027.
All digital pre-orders include Campaign Early Access (from October 16), DMZ Early Access (from October 20), the Hunter Killer operator skin, the Gilded Pearl camo pack and the Inner Circuit M4 blueprint.
Xbox console pre-orders receive an OG Green translucent variant of the Inner Circuit blueprint for Xbox’s 25th anniversary.

MW4 Is a Standalone Release: No Game Pass at Launch

Activision confirms Modern Warfare 4 must be purchased separately. It is not included with Game Pass at launch and is planned for the service in Holiday 2027.

News · 2026-10-15

Modern Warfare 4 standalone release announcement artwork

What “standalone” means for buying the game

Pre-orders run through the Xbox Store on console, the Xbox app on PC and the Microsoft Store, and equivalent storefronts on PlayStation 5, Battle.net, Steam and Nintendo Switch 2. A Game Pass subscription does not unlock the campaign or DMZ at launch.

Pre-order bonuses

Campaign Early Access from October 16 and DMZ Early Access from October 20 (digital editions only).
Hunter Killer operator skin.
Gilded Pearl camo pack.
Inner Circuit M4 weapon blueprint — OG Green translucent variant on Xbox console. Official announcement Call of Duty ↗

Sources and further reading

Official standalone release post Call of Duty