Activision has confirmed a surprising new way for fans to get an early taste of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 without placing a pre-order. Normally, early beta access has been reserved for players who lock in their copy ahead of launch, but this year, Activision is shaking things up with a Twitch promotion tied to the annual COD Next event.
The publisher announced that anyone who tunes in to at least one hour of COD Next on Twitch, happening September 30, will automatically qualify for an early access beta code. This code will allow players to jump into the beta beginning October 2, three days before the open beta officially launches worldwide on October 5.
Cross-Platform Beta Access
The beta will be available on all supported platforms, including PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. The continued support for last-gen hardware has been a point of debate within the community, but developer Treyarch Studios explained that a large portion of the active Call of Duty player base still plays on the PS4 and Xbox One, making it important to include them in the launch window.
Alternative Promotions for Early Access
The Twitch campaign isn’t the only way to secure early access. Earlier this month, Activision partnered with Xfinity in the United States to give subscribers access codes through the company’s rewards program. Eligible users could redeem a code online and play starting October 2, once again bypassing the usual pre-order requirement.
What to Expect at COD Next
The COD Next event, which streams live on September 30 at 9:00 AM PT / 12:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM BST, will feature a deep dive into Black Ops 7, showcasing gameplay, new systems, and multiplayer details. Historically, COD Next has also included updates on Call of Duty: Warzone, Call of Duty Mobile, and other franchise projects, so fans can expect more than just Black Ops 7 news.
With Black Ops 7 set to be one of the most anticipated launches of the year, this approach to early beta access could widen the player pool and give more fans a chance to experience the game before release. Whether you plan on pre-ordering or simply tuning in to Twitch, there are now multiple paths to play early.
