The MW3 beta goes live on 6, October 2023, giving eager players their first opportunity to have a hands-on session with the title. The Call of Duty NEXT showcase has whipped fans into a frenzy, as what was shown looks very promising. Correspondance regarding who can participate in the beta and who can’t has been a little confusing. With this in mind, let me answer the question: Do you have to pre-order MW3 to play the beta?
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Do you have to pre-order MW3 to play the beta?
Fortunately, you can participate in the beta even without a pre-order. The beta is in a few parts, so you may have to wait your turn, depending on what system you play on.
Dates for PlayStation owners
PlayStation owners can get their hands on the beta first. Players who’ve pre-ordered MW3 will receive a code to join the early-access beta. Those players can play from Friday, 6 October, to Saturday, 7 October.
You can access the open beta if you’re on PlayStation, even if you’ve not pre-ordered. The open beta runs from Sunday, 8 October to Tuesday, 10 October.
Crossplay beta dates
If you’re on Xbox and PC, don’t despair, as the next weekend is for you. You can join the early-access beta if you’ve pre-ordered on those platforms and have a code. The crossplay early access beta runs from Thursday 12, October, to Friday 13, October.
Players without a pre-order can still participate in the open beta. The crossplay open beta runs from Saturday 14, October, to Monday 16, October.
What should I expect from the MW3 Beta?
The beta offers a limited selection of weapons, killstreaks, and game modes to try. Coming from MW2, you can get used to the new movement mechanics and gunplay. MW3 plays quite differently from MW2, thanks to the increased health pool for players.
If you can’t participate, don’t worry about falling behind, as any progress you make in the beta will not transfer to the full release. This is confirmed on the official Call of Duty blog. Some players will likely be upset about this news, but it does mean there’s a level playing field at launch.
When can I play MW3 if I miss the beta dates?
Unless something dramatic happens, there will be no more opportunities to play until the official launch on 8 November. At this point, everyone will be able to play together regardless of platform.
