Modern Warfare 4 beta gets first patch and Switch 2 first impressions
Infinity Ward has already dropped the first major update for the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta, per Eurogamer. The patch, which went live on August 22, 2026, dials back the volume and range of enemy footsteps after loud complaints from players.
The update also nerfs the lethality of two weapons, the ISO Nightshade SMG and the Oris 8.6 marksman rifle, by reducing their damage ranges and headshot multipliers. Infinity Ward says more weapon balancing is on the way.
A new map called Cachette and a new mode called Inflation have been added to the multiplayer rotation. The studio says adding Cachette finally allows map voting to be activated, as the feature required four total maps to function. The patch also brightens the shadowy Transit 213 map for better visibility and squashes a list of bugs.
Meanwhile, GameSpot reports that the controversial Riot Shield is back in Modern Warfare 4, but with a major twist: it's now destructible. This change was spotted in the ongoing beta.
Over on Nintendo's new hardware, first impressions of the Switch 2 version are trickling in. Nintendo Life compiled reactions from several creators who got early access. The consensus is the port runs at a solid 60 frames-per-second, but makes significant visual compromises with a very low docked resolution.
YouTuber Spawn Wave called the performance "pretty impressive" overall, while Switch Force bluntly stated the game "looks pretty crappy" on the platform. The Switch 2 version, developed by Digital Legends, includes a mouse mode for the new Joy-Con 2 controllers. The open beta for Switch 2 players begins on August 28.
