Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 has announced a slate of PC upgrades, headlined by Ray Tracing, DLSS 4.5 and a 90 FPS target on the Recommended spec. Infinity Ward also introduced Collateral, a new multiplayer mode with one-life gameplay and a round-based economy.
Modern Warfare 4 Gets Major PC Optimizations
Infinity Ward and Activision will offer three spec tiers for the PC version — Minimum, Recommended and Ray Tracing — along with a Benchmark Tool so players can test performance and pick the right settings.
According to the developer, the Recommended spec targets 90 FPS without requiring players to lower visual quality. On the graphics side, Ray Tracing is supported in the Campaign, Multiplayer and DMZ, while image upscaling technologies include NVIDIA DLSS 4.5, AMD FSR Redstone, Intel XeSS 3 and Filmic SMAA T2X. The game also uses Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD) to cut loading times on the Xbox PC version. The update system and menu interface have been streamlined to reduce waiting before matches.
Graphics Technology Breakthroughs and Visual Upgrades
Modern Warfare 4 adds Enhanced FOV on PC, using a physically based lens effect to widen the view at the edges of the screen while limiting distortion in the center. HDR10+ supports real-time adjustment of lighting and contrast, while Weapon VFX Masking reduces muzzle flash in the aiming area so it obscures targets less.
Players can also adjust World Depth of Field and Weapon Depth of Field separately. Weapon Bloom has been reworked to calculate bullet paths based on the actual position of the barrel rather than random deviation. Laser attachments can help track the path of your shots.
Collateral Brings One-Life Gameplay
Collateral is a new multiplayer mode in which two teams take turns playing Attack and Defense at two bomb sites. Each player has only one life per round and cannot respawn after being eliminated.
Players start with a pistol, then earn money across rounds to buy weapons and equipment. Money carries over between rounds, but if you are eliminated, you lose all of your current gear. The mode also removes respawns, Killstreaks, automatic health regeneration and personal custom loadouts, making teamwork, resource management and gear choices key factors.
When Does Modern Warfare 4 Launch?
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is scheduled to release on October 23, 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Switch 2. The game does not support Xbox One.
Notably, the game will not be on Xbox Game Pass at launch. Players who want to play Modern Warfare 4 on release day will need to buy the edition for their platform. With its combination of top-tier visuals and tactical new gameplay, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is shaping up to be one of the biggest releases of late 2026.
Source: Compiled from multiple reports