Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Preorders Live: Edition Differences Exposed

October 23 can't come soon enough. Modern Warfare 4 is going big: PS5, Xbox Series X, PC, and even the Nintendo Switch 2. It's a mess. Preorders are live, with three editions to sift through - and honestly, the differences between them are worth paying attention to, especially when you factor in the various bonuses and exclusive content that come with each one, like the Steelbook and Vault editions, which offer a range of extra goodies that might just be worth the additional cost.

Quick Facts — Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4

DeveloperUniversal Studios Hollywood Hub
PublisherActivision
Platform(s)PS5, Xbox Series X, PC, Nintendo Switch 2
Release DateOctober 23
Price{'Standard Edition': '$69.99', 'Steelbook Edition': '$69.99', 'Vault Edition': '$99.99'}

You won't find it on old consoles. That's a bummer. It's also not on Game Pass at first. The series is on Switch 2 now, though. We've got new players. You'll get early access to the Open Beta if you preorder. Digital preorders are worth it. They've got early campaign access starting October 16 and a sweet Hunter Killer Operator Skin. This skin is usable in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Modern Warfare 4 when it launches. It's a nice bonus, for sure.

Modern Warfare 4's Preorder Purgatory

You'll get a few options. The price is $69.99. Standard Edition is basic. It's $69.99 for PS5, Xbox Series X, or Digital PC. You'll get early access to the Open Beta. Some retailers offer extras, like 5 hours of Double XP from Amazon, or a Steel Trading Card from GameStop. The Steelbook Edition is the same as the Standard, but with a steelbook. It's at Best Buy for PS5 or Xbox Series X, also $69.99. The Vault Edition is different, it's $99.99 for Digital PC, and it's packed with extras, like early Open Beta access, a Hunter Killer Operator Skin, and more stuff.

You get a discount. It's for the Vault Edition. They're offering 10% off, which is nice. If you've played certain Call of Duty games before on the same account, you're eligible, with the exact titles listed below for reference.

  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)
  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered (2020)
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
  • Call of Duty: Vanguard
  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022)
  • Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023)
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
  • Call of Duty: Black Ops 7

Vault Edition: A $100 Gamble Worth It?

The Vault Edition is the premium package for die-hard fans, including:

  • Early access to the Open Beta
  • Hunter Killer Operator Skin
  • Hostile Alliance Operator Pack
  • Special Forces Operator Pack
  • Signature Weapon Collection
  • BlackCell (One Season)
  • DMZ Deployment Bonus

It's the real feel they're after. You'll get perks. That said, the edition is for fans who want more, with cosmetic and gameplay extras that matter to players who've already sunk hours into Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, and they've likely been waiting for preorders to go live.

Campaign Flops, Multiplayer Still King

Activision’s website sets the stage for the campaign:

"War erupts on the Korean Peninsula as North Korea launches a full-scale invasion... A young squad of South Korean soldiers fight to survive... while a vengeful Captain Price wages a personal war from the shadows."

Meanwhile, Mark Medina (IGN) shared his multiplayer first impressions, highlighting:

"the impression that sticks isn’t just that MW4 is bigger or flashier, it’s that it finally feels like Infinity Ward had the space to build the version of Call of Duty multiplayer they’ve been edging toward for years."

Mark Medina, IGN

It's a fresh start. The campaign gets you thinking. You'll see a gripping story with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. The multiplayer is key. They've made it bigger and better, no last-gen issues to hold it back.

Call of Duty’s Money-Grabbing Preorder Mess

You get extras. The bonuses are worth mentioning, with preorders from certain retailers offering a bit more, like in-game items, it's a nice touch for fans of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, we've seen this before, but it's still a key part of the experience.

  • Amazon: 5 hours of Double XP
  • GameStop: Exclusive Steel Trading Card

Call of Duty's $100 Mistake

The Bad Gamer Take

Activision will prioritize the Vault Edition of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 because of its higher price point and exclusive content, making it a more lucrative option for the publisher. This strategy will lead to more marketing focus on the Vault Edition, resulting in higher sales. Watch the Nintendo Switch 2 version's performance to see how the series' new player base affects overall sales.

It's live. You can preorder Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 now. They've got a few editions to choose from, with prices varying for each. The real feel of this game is worth mentioning, especially with Infinity Ward at the helm. You'll get key gameplay elements early, which is a nice bonus. Whether you're in it for the campaign, set in the Korean Peninsula, or the multiplayer, it's worth checking out - we've got a release date of October 23 to look forward to, and you'll want to be ready for that.

ℹ️ Note: Nintendo Switch 2 preorders for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 are slated for a later announcement. Stay tuned for updates.