CALL of Duty: Vanguard isn’t out until November, but PlayStation players can get exclusive early access this weekend with the limited-time alpha.
PS4 and PS5 players eager to try out an early build of the game can dive into the new Champion Hill multiplayer mode from August 27.
The Call of Duty: Vanguard alpha is free for all PS4 and PS5 gamers, and no PS Plus subscription is required – although players in Germany will need one due to the game’s age rating, as per the official announcement.
Vanguard’s Champion Hill alpha kicks off on Friday, August 27, at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST / 7pm CEST.
It wraps up on Sunday, August 29, at 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm BST / 7pm CEST.
Players can pre-load right now, so as not to waste precious time with those notoriously huge Call of Duty files. Activision has helpfully provided the free alpha links for each region below:
- PlayStation 5
- Download Free PS5 Alpha: Europe, Middle East, Australia, or New Zealand
- Download Free PS5 Alpha: Americas
- Download Free PS5 Alpha: Japan
- Download Free PS5 Alpha: Asia
- PlayStation 4
- Download Free PS4 Alpha: Europe, Middle East, Australia, or New Zealand
- Download Free PS4 Alpha: Americas
- Download Free PS4 Alpha: Japan
- Download Free PS4 Alpha: Asia
If you already have Modern Warfare, Warzone, or Black Ops Cold War installed, you can access the Call of Duty: Vanguard alpha through the main menu once it’s downloaded.
You can do this by selecting the alpha menu blade, situated to the far left of the main menu screen. If it’s downloaded, you’ll be taken straight to the action – otherwise you’ll be redirected to the PS Store.
Participating in the Vanguard alpha will get you a Calling Card and an Emblem which you’ll be able to access in-game when it launches.
You can also access them in Warzone once Vanguard has released and the two are fully integrated.
Call of Duty: Vanguard alpha – what to expect
Sledgehammer is bringing a ton of new features to Call of Duty: Vanguard that you’ll be able to get some hands-on time with during this weekend’s alpha.
Champion Hill is described as “a tournament-style, multi-map and multi-life game mode where tactics and strategy go beyond the pull of a trigger.”
Here are the basics of what’s going on in the Vanguard alpha:
- Squads will be either a Duo (2v2) or Trio (3v3)
- Access to four maps:
- Airstrip
- Trainyard
- Market
- Courtyard
- Access to Vanguard’s four main characters:
- Lucas Riggs
- Polina Petrova
- Wade Jackson
- Arthur Kingsley
- Weapon modification with up to 10 attachments
- Reactive environments
- Blanket loadout that can be upgraded with cash
Sledgehammer is keen for players to interact with (and destroy) the reactive environment which can be utilised to create new sightlines or ambushing campers.
All players will begin with the same loadout, but by earning cash through kills and loot drops, you can upgrade your starter weapons or buy new armaments, perks, killstreaks, and equipment during Buy Rounds (between Combat Rounds).
The gameplay itself is a round-robin death match tournament betweeen squads. The aim is to get the opposing squads’ life count to zero before your own squad is eliminated.
As for the map, Champion Hill technically takes place on one giant map split into five.
Four are used for the Combat Rounds while the central Buy Station area is a spectator platform for eliminated players to watch how the remainder of the tournament plays out.
Be sure to pre-load now ahead of the alpha going live so you can dive straight in this weekend.
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