When (and how) to watch Call of Duty NEXT ahead of the Modern Warfare 4 beta

windowscentral.com Aug 7, 2026

When (and how) to watch Call of Duty NEXT ahead of the Modern Warfare 4 beta

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Aug 7, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Activision will host Call of Duty NEXT 2026 on August 21 at 9 AM PT/12 PM ET, offering the first detailed look at Modern Warfare 4’s multiplayer. The event will stream live on YouTube and Twitch, featuring developer insights and gameplay reveals. Immediately following the broadcast, an Early Access Beta will launch for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC players who have preordered or secured beta codes. This marks the first time the beta begins directly after the showcase. Nintendo Switch 2 owners must wait until the Open Beta on August 28. While previous years featured in-person gatherings with streamers, this year’s format appears more virtual, potentially due to the immediate beta start. DMZ mode will not be playable during either beta weekend. The full game releases in October, with digital preorders granting early campaign access starting October 16.

💡 Why It Matters

· The immediate transition from showcase to beta creates a seamless hype cycle, though it likely eliminates the traditional in-person influencer event.
· This structural shift prioritizes instant player engagement over live spectacle, changing how the franchise builds community momentum before launch.

Capsules Gaming

Read full article on windowscentral.com

A new survey shows the scale of Xbox’s fall vs. PlayStation and…

A recent survey reveals that Xbox’s market share in the United States has fallen below that of PlayStation and Nintendo, underscoring a significant shift in the console landscape. The study, conducted by industry analysts, shows PlayStation leading with 35% of the market, Nintendo close behind at 32%, and Xbox trailing at 28%. The findings highlight changing consumer preferences, the impact of subscription services, and the growing importance of exclusive titles in driving sales. The data suggest a narrowing competitive gap and a potential need for strategic repositioning by Microsoft.

💡 The decline signals a pivotal moment for Microsoft’s gaming strategy, prompting a reassessment of its content pipeline and platform integration to regain market traction.

gamesradar.com · Aug 7

3 years after the best Soulslike not by FromSoftware, Lies of P…

Nough Studio’s 2023 action‑RPG Lies of P won awards and became the highest‑rated Souls‑like not developed by FromSoftware, according to a poll of genre fans. In a recent video, narrative director Kwon Byungsoo said the team now feels “pressure” to exceed the original’s success as work begins on a sequel three years after the first launch. The developers described the original project as a “blank slate” and view it as a foundation for a follow‑up, while art lead Cha Byungjun and director Choi Juwon emphasized a desire to retain the creative mindset that drove the title. The sequel aims to still push the genre’s boundaries amid competition from titles such as Black Myth Wukong, Nioh 3 and Lords of the Fallen.

💡 The sequel’s ambition tests whether an indie studio can sustain the innovation that reshaped a genre long dominated by a single developer. Its reception could reset expectations for future non‑FromSoftware Souls‑like releases.

playstationlifestyle.net · Aug 7

Hit 2021 PlayStation 5 Shooter Game Surprise Drops Free DLC

MachineGames and id Software have released a surprise free DLC for Quake on PlayStation 4 and 5, marking the franchise’s 30th anniversary. Titled “Quake: Dawn of the Machine,” the expansion adds a 19‑map single‑player campaign, a new Deathmatch arena, and an original soundtrack by Christian Plogfors, who also co‑designed two levels. The narrative follows Ranger, a soldier trapped in an illusory dimension that loops in time, culminating in a showdown with the Nightmare Machine. Enemy designs have been refreshed, including altered Rocket Ogres, Demo Dogs and Blood Shamlers. Players can access the content via Singleplayer > New Game > Episodes/Expansion, regardless of whether they purchased the game at launch or later. The DLC’s release coincides with Bethesda’s broader effort to revitalize classic titles on consoles, and it arrives alongside a scheduled patch that improves frame stability and reduces load times for the base game.

💡 By delivering free, content‑rich DLC decades after its debut, the makers prove that legacy shooters can still generate fresh engagement without charging players, reinforcing the viability of nostalgia‑driven updates on current-gen platforms.

eurogamer.net · Aug 7

The late Sam Neill will reportedly feature in The Legend of Zelda…

Reports indicate that the late actor Sam Neill will appear in the upcoming live-action The Legend of Zelda film, potentially marking his final on-screen performance. Neill, best known for his role as Dr. Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park series, passed away on July 13 at age 78. Deadline reported the casting but could not corroborate it with Neill’s former representatives or Sony, the studio producing the movie. The film, directed by Wes Ball, is currently in production in New Zealand. It features Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Link and Bo Bragason as Zelda. Australian actor Uli Latukefu has been cast as the antagonist Ganondorf. The movie is scheduled for release on April 30 next year, missing the franchise’s 40th anniversary in 2026. Meanwhile, a remake of Ocarina of Time is expected to launch this year, possibly in November, alongside Grand Theft Auto 6, though its realistic art style has divided fans.

💡 Casting a deceased actor transforms the film into a posthumous tribute, adding significant emotional weight to the adaptation. This unverified claim intensifies scrutiny on Sony’s production choices and legacy management.

ign.com · Aug 7

Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick Won’t Rule Out GTA 6 on Disc at…

Take‑Two CEO Strauss Zelnick confirmed that Rockstar’s decision to launch GTA 6 without a physical disc was driven by consumer convenience, not leak concerns. He noted that over 90 % of Take‑Two’s sales are digital and that the company remains open to future disc releases. Zelnick dismissed speculation that Sony’s 2028 disc‑free policy influenced the choice, emphasizing that GTA 6’s launch strategy would not harm Take‑Two financially. The move aligns with a broader industry shift toward digital distribution.

💡 The statement clarifies that GTA 6’s disc‑free launch reflects a strategic pivot to digital, underscoring the industry's move away from physical media. It also signals that major publishers are willing to adapt release formats without fearing revenue loss, potentially reshaping future game distribution models.

gamesradar.com · Aug 7

Dragon Age was always “too niche, too backwards, too old-school” in EA’s…

Former BioWare producer Mark Darrah revealed that Electronic Arts consistently viewed the Dragon Age series as “too niche, too backwards, too old‑school,” a perception that shaped corporate decisions and led to repeated reboots. Darrah explained that EA’s lack of understanding for CRPGs caused pressure on the franchise, resulting in the shift from a focused RPG to an alive‑service model and ultimately the underperforming Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The game’s launch was followed by layoffs at BioWare, underscoring the franchise’s troubled trajectory under EA’s stewardship.

💡 The saga illustrates how a publisher’s misreading of a niche genre can derail a beloved IP, reshaping its creative direction and jeopardizing its future.