{
  "schemaVersion": "1.3",
  "id": "call-of-duty-modern-warfare-4",
  "slug": "modern-warfare-4",
  "product": "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4",
  "title": "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4",
  "job": "Is the date real, do they need to spend, what can they skip.",
  "lastUpdated": "2026-09-14",
  "timezoneNote": "Calendar dates are as published.",
  "lifecycle": {
    "postedAt": "2026-08-30",
    "announcedPlatformReleases": [
      {
        "platform": "PlayStation 5",
        "date": "2026-10-23",
        "sourceIds": [
          "cod-blog",
          "xbox-store"
        ]
      },
      {
        "platform": "Xbox Series X|S",
        "date": "2026-10-23",
        "sourceIds": [
          "cod-blog",
          "xbox-store"
        ]
      },
      {
        "platform": "PC",
        "date": "2026-10-23",
        "sourceIds": [
          "cod-blog",
          "xbox-store"
        ]
      },
      {
        "platform": "Nintendo Switch 2",
        "date": "2026-10-23",
        "sourceIds": [
          "cod-blog"
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "disclosure": {
    "text": "As an Amazon Associate, NeedFlag earns from qualifying purchases."
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "id": "cod-blog",
      "label": "Call of Duty Blog — Modern Warfare 4 announcement",
      "url": "https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2026/05/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-4-announcement"
    },
    {
      "id": "xbox-store",
      "label": "Xbox store listing — Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4",
      "url": "https://www.xbox.com/en-us/games/store/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-4/9ncpsqqd1z66"
    },
    {
      "id": "cod-hub",
      "label": "Call of Duty — Modern Warfare 4",
      "url": "https://www.callofduty.com/modernwarfare4"
    },
    {
      "id": "cod-fob",
      "label": "Call of Duty Blog — Modern Warfare 4 official intel",
      "url": "https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2026/05/modernwarfare4-fob"
    },
    {
      "id": "xbox-mw4",
      "label": "Xbox — Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4",
      "url": "https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-4"
    },
    {
      "id": "cod-editions",
      "label": "Call of Duty Blog — Modern Warfare 4 pre-order benefits and editions",
      "url": "https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2026/05/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-4-preorder-benefits-game-editions-details"
    },
    {
      "id": "nintendo-microsd-express",
      "label": "Nintendo Support — microSD Express compatibility",
      "url": "https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/68425"
    },
    {
      "id": "playstation-m2-ssd",
      "label": "PlayStation Support — add an M.2 SSD to PS5",
      "url": "https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/hardware/ps5-install-m2-ssd/"
    },
    {
      "id": "esrb-org",
      "label": "ESRB — Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4",
      "url": "https://www.esrb.org/ratings/41459/call-of-dutyr-modern-warfarer-4/"
    }
  ],
  "official": [
    {
      "id": "launch-date",
      "label": "Launch date",
      "value": "23 October 2026",
      "status": "confirmed",
      "lastChecked": "2026-08-30",
      "sourceIds": [
        "cod-blog",
        "xbox-store"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "platforms",
      "label": "Launch platforms",
      "value": "PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Battle.net, Steam, Xbox on PC), and Nintendo Switch 2. Not PlayStation 4 or Xbox One",
      "status": "confirmed",
      "lastChecked": "2026-08-30",
      "sourceIds": [
        "cod-blog",
        "xbox-store"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "esrb-category",
      "label": "ESRB rating",
      "value": "M",
      "status": "confirmed",
      "lastChecked": "2026-09-04",
      "sourceIds": [
        "esrb-org"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "esrb-descriptors",
      "label": "ESRB descriptors",
      "value": "Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Use of Drugs",
      "status": "confirmed",
      "lastChecked": "2026-09-04",
      "sourceIds": [
        "esrb-org"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "price",
      "label": "Standard price",
      "value": "$69.99",
      "status": "confirmed",
      "notes": "USD.",
      "lastChecked": "2026-08-30",
      "sourceIds": [
        "cod-blog",
        "xbox-store"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "vault-price",
      "label": "Vault price",
      "value": "$99.99",
      "status": "confirmed",
      "notes": "USD. Vault contents are not recorded on this brief.",
      "lastChecked": "2026-08-30",
      "sourceIds": [
        "cod-blog",
        "xbox-store"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "preorders",
      "label": "Pre-orders",
      "value": "Live. Switch 2 pre-order was later",
      "status": "confirmed",
      "lastChecked": "2026-08-30",
      "sourceIds": [
        "cod-blog",
        "xbox-store"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "studio",
      "label": "Studio",
      "value": "Official sources conflict",
      "status": "hold",
      "notes": "Call of Duty and Xbox listings disagree. No developer is recorded here until they agree.",
      "lastChecked": "2026-09-03",
      "sourceIds": [
        "cod-blog",
        "xbox-store",
        "xbox-mw4"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "game-pass",
      "label": "Game Pass",
      "value": "No",
      "status": "confirmed",
      "notes": "Not at launch.",
      "lastChecked": "2026-09-01",
      "sourceIds": [
        "xbox-mw4",
        "cod-editions"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "media": {
    "trailer": {
      "label": "Official trailer",
      "status": "confirmed",
      "kind": "youtube",
      "youtubeId": "jLbst85USN8",
      "pageUrl": "https://www.callofduty.com/modernwarfare4",
      "lastChecked": "2026-08-30",
      "sourceIds": [
        "cod-hub",
        "cod-fob"
      ]
    },
    "still": {
      "label": "Official still",
      "src": "/media/modern-warfare-4/official-still.webp",
      "credit": "Activision",
      "pageUrl": "https://www.callofduty.com/modernwarfare4",
      "lastChecked": "2026-08-30",
      "sourceIds": [
        "cod-hub"
      ]
    }
  },
  "decisions": [
    {
      "id": "buy-now-set",
      "item": "Buy-now set",
      "verdict": "empty",
      "rationale": "Nothing currently earns a yes. Empty buy slots are intentional. No catalog. No affiliate slots until a line is a yes.",
      "lastChecked": "2026-08-30",
      "sourceIds": [],
      "affiliate": null
    },
    {
      "id": "game-ps5-standard",
      "item": "PS5 Standard ($69.99)",
      "verdict": "fork",
      "rationale": "Launch is PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Switch 2. Not PS4 or Xbox One. Standard game is $69.99.",
      "lastChecked": "2026-08-30",
      "sourceIds": [
        "cod-blog",
        "xbox-store"
      ],
      "affiliate": {
        "present": true,
        "href": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H37MKQ64?tag=needflag-20",
        "note": "Amazon Associates."
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "game-xbox-series-standard",
      "item": "Xbox Standard ($69.99)",
      "verdict": "fork",
      "rationale": "Launch is PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Switch 2. Not PS4 or Xbox One. Standard game is $69.99.",
      "lastChecked": "2026-08-30",
      "sourceIds": [
        "cod-blog",
        "xbox-store"
      ],
      "affiliate": {
        "present": true,
        "href": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H37JKX3J?tag=needflag-20",
        "note": "Amazon Associates."
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "game-switch-2",
      "item": "Switch 2 Code-in-Box ($69.99)",
      "verdict": "fork",
      "rationale": "Launch is PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Switch 2. Not PS4 or Xbox One. Standard game is $69.99.",
      "lastChecked": "2026-08-30",
      "sourceIds": [
        "cod-blog",
        "xbox-store"
      ],
      "affiliate": {
        "present": true,
        "href": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HGKFH157?tag=needflag-20",
        "note": "Amazon Associates."
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "vault",
      "item": "Vault ($99.99)",
      "verdict": "hold",
      "rationale": "Vault price is real. What is in Vault is not recorded here yet.",
      "lastChecked": "2026-08-30",
      "sourceIds": [
        "cod-blog",
        "xbox-store"
      ],
      "affiliate": null
    },
    {
      "id": "switch-2-microsd-express-256",
      "item": "Switch 2 Samsung microSD Express 256 GB",
      "verdict": "yes",
      "rationale": "Switch 2 will not run games from regular microSD. Digital installs beyond internal need Express.",
      "lastChecked": "2026-09-07",
      "sourceIds": [
        "nintendo-microsd-express"
      ],
      "affiliate": {
        "present": true,
        "href": "https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F3VTCZK8?tag=needflag-20",
        "note": "Amazon Associates."
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "ps5-ssd-sn850x-1tb",
      "item": "PS5 WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe with heatsink 1 TB",
      "verdict": "yes",
      "rationale": "Need if the PS5 is full.",
      "lastChecked": "2026-09-04",
      "sourceIds": [
        "playstation-m2-ssd"
      ],
      "affiliate": {
        "present": false,
        "href": null,
        "note": "No paid link."
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "ps5-ssd-sn850x-2tb",
      "item": "PS5 WD_BLACK SN850X NVMe with heatsink 2 TB",
      "verdict": "yes",
      "rationale": "Larger option if the PS5 is full.",
      "lastChecked": "2026-09-04",
      "sourceIds": [
        "playstation-m2-ssd"
      ],
      "affiliate": {
        "present": false,
        "href": null,
        "note": "No paid link."
      }
    }
  ],
  "openHoles": [
    {
      "id": "vault-contents",
      "question": "What is in Vault?",
      "status": "unknown",
      "notes": "Vault price is $99.99. Contents are not recorded here yet.",
      "lastChecked": "2026-08-30",
      "sourceIds": [
        "cod-blog",
        "xbox-store"
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    }
  ]
}