Activision has detailed an unusual pre-order incentive for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, offering a special weapon blueprint with platform-specific cosmetic variations. Players who pre-order the game on any platform will receive the Inner Circuit M4 weapon blueprint. However, those who pre-order on Xbox will gain access to a translucent, OG green version of the rifle, a design choice intended to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Xbox brand. This translucent version allows players to see through the weapon, mirroring the aesthetic of the original translucent Xbox console.
While the standard Inner Circuit M4 blueprint is available across all platforms, the exclusive translucent design will only be visible to players on Xbox. The gameplay functionalities of both blueprint versions remain identical, featuring the same attachments and performance characteristics. The exclusivity is limited to the visual appearance, ensuring no gameplay advantage is conferred based on platform.
In addition to the exclusive weapon variant, Microsoft is providing a $5 credit for Xbox players to use towards purchases on the Xbox platform when they pre-order Modern Warfare 4. This move aligns with Microsoft's acquisition of Activision and the Call of Duty franchise. During the acquisition process, Microsoft assured regulators that Call of Duty titles would maintain parity across all platforms and would not be used as a means to drive Xbox console sales. Former Xbox CEO Phil Spencer stated in 2023 that the company had no intention of leveraging the franchise for console exclusivity.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is scheduled to launch on October 23 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, and PC.