The CoD Vanguard Open Beta is now live on Xbox and PC, so you can jump into the action now. We have all the details you need on preloading and downloading the game, and how long you've got to play it this week.
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Latest - Beta Period Extended
Over the weekend, Sledgehammer announced that the Vanguard Open Beta will be extended until September 22.
The beta will now end at 1pm ET / 6pm BST on that day, rather than that time on September 20.
Players on all platforms can download the beta and jump in now, without any preloading necessary.
PLAYLIST UPDATE - Filters unlocked!
Sledgehammer Games has finally opened up the Vanguard Beta's Playlist Filters! We know this might not sound like a huge deal, but you'll now be able to choose what game modes you play in the Vanguard Open Beta on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
In addition to this, you can set a preference for your Combat Pacing options. Sledgehammer Games has said the following regarding that, though:
" Note: You will only search for matches within the selected modes. However, Combat Pacing selections are registered as a preference. Your next match may have a different Combat Pacing than selected."
We expect both options to be included in the Playlist Filter at launch, but the Vanguard Open Beta is operating on limited modes and maps... So, we'll let them off.
HOURS AWAY - When does the Beta start, again?
If you've managed to secure Early Access to the Vanguard Beta, you'll be pleased to know you can jump into the chaotic experience that's available sooner than you might think.
Early Access for Xbox and PC players starts on September 16th at 10:00 PST / 13:00 EST / 18:00 BST - alongside the start of the full Open Beta for PlayStation players. Following this, the Open Beta on Xbox and PC will begin on September 18th at 10:00 PST / 13:00 EST / 18:00 BST.
If you manage to hit level 20 in the Vanguard Beta, you'll be able to unlock the following rewards:
- A Weapon Blueprint for Call of Duty Vanguard and Warzone, available in Vanguard following the game’s launch on November 5, and in Warzone when the new main map launches later this year.
- An Arthur Kingsley Operator in Call of Duty: Mobile, available shortly after the end of the Beta.
PLAYSTATION PRELOAD - It's time to hit the store!
If you're looking forwards to playing the Vanguard Beta on a PlayStation console this weekend, you're going to need to head to the PS Store to download the Vanguard Beta.
The Vanguard Beta is completely open to all PlayStation players from September 16th at 10:00 PST / 13:00 EST / 18:00 BST - all the way to September 20th! This means you shouldn't have any trouble finding the Vanguard Beta in the PS Store. You won't even need PS Plus to play it, either.
The Vanguard Beta is currently sitting at around 35GB on PS5 and we're expecting it to be about the same on PS4 - even if the initial download is quite small. If you played the Vanguard Beta last weekend, you might need a title update for the Vanguard Beta but you should be able to jump right in when servers go online.
XBOX PRELOAD - It's all on the Xbox Store!
If you want to play the Vanguard Beta on an Xbox, you're going to need to head to the Xbox Store to download it - You can also find this via the Vanguard "blade" of the Warzone menu.
On Xbox consoles, the Vanguard Beta is going to open up to everyone on September 18th at 10:00 PST / 13:00 EST / 18:00 BST. If you've pre-ordered Vanguard on Xbox, though, you should be able to jump into the Vanguard Beta from the same time on September 16th.
The Vanguard Beta might seem like a small download, but it will take up around 35GB after updates. If you have an Early Access code from a retailer, you will need to head to callofduty.com/betaredeem in order to redeem it for an Early Access Vanguard Beta code specifically for Xbox consoles.
PC PRELOAD - Battle.net is where you need to be!
Call of Duty Vanguard, like the last couple of Call of Duty titles, is available via Battle.net on PC. You should be able to preload the Vanguard Beta on Vanguard right now.
If you're waiting to pre-order Vanguard, the Beta will be open and available to play from 10:00 PST / 13:00 EST / 18:00 BST on September 18th. If you pre-ordered Vanguard on Battle.net, you should be able to jump into it from the same time on September 16th.
Below, we have the minimum and recommended PC specs for the Vanguard Beta - check them before you start to preload it.
Minimum Specs
- OS: Windows 10 64-Bit (1909 or later)
- CPU: Intel Core i5-2500k or AMD Ryzen 5 1600X
- Video: Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 2GB / GTX 1050Ti 4GB or AMD Radeon R9 380
- RAM: 8GB RAM
- HDD: 45GB HD Space
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Sound Card: DirectX Compatible
- DirectX: DirectX 12 compatible system
Recommended Specs
- OS: Windows 10 64 Bit (latest Service Pack)
- CPU: Intel Core i7-4770k or AMD Ryzen 7 1800X
- Video: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 8GB / GTX 1660 6GB or AMD Radeon RX Vega 56
- RAM: 16GB RAM
- HDD: 45GB HD Space
- Network: Broadband Internet connection
- Sound Card: DirectX Compatible
- DirectX: DirectX 12 compatible system