COD: Vanguard will be playable for the first time this weekend as Sledgehammer Games kick off their alpha test. It won’t offer the full suite of maps, modes, and loadout options, instead focusing on the all-new Champion Hill.
Available on both PS4 and PS5, this multiplayer preview of the WW2 shooter will be available to everyone. If you’re wondering when the alpha test goes live or where to download it, we’ve got you covered.
COD: Vanguard – when does it go live?
The Call of Duty: Vanguard alpha will go live on Friday, August 27th at 6PM BST.
It will run throughout the weekend with the end time being set for Sunday, August 29th at 6PM BST. Here are the start and end times for other regions.
Start times:
Europe: 7pm (CEST)
East Coast US: 1pm (EDT)
West Coast US: 10am (PDT)
End times:
Central Europe: 7pm CEST
East Coast USA: 1pm EDT
West Coast USA: 10am PDT
You don’t have to wait until the alpha goes live in order to download it onto your PS5 or PS4 console. Pre-load has been available for Call of Duty: Vanguard since earlier this week. The file size is roughly 22GB, so make sure you enough room on your hard drive. There’s also a chance Activision will roll out an update during the weekend test which could increase the total download size. Simply head over to the PlayStation Store now to start the Vanguard pre-load, or click on the following links to do it remotely.
PlayStation 5:
PlayStation 4:
COD: Vanguard – what is Champion Hill?
Not only is this your first chance to play the Call of Duty WW2 sequel, it’s also the debut of an entirely new game mode. Champion Hill is a fresh take on the battle royale match type and is being likened to the popular auto chess genre thanks to its multi-arena focus.
But what does this all mean? 8 teams (either duos, threes, or quads) will face off as they each battle against one another in quickfire rounds, having a limited number of lives. These battles take place simultaneously on a map split into four smaller, isolated warzones.
Although everyone starts with the same basic loadout, the “buy round” in between each match allows you to spend cash on various weapons and perks to take into your next fight. This will add a layer of strategy that has you guessing what loadouts enemy teams are packing, presenting an opportunity to counter against them.
Read more: Black Ops Cold War or Modern Warfare? Which Call of Duty is better?
This isn’t the only battle royale option for Call of Duty: Vanguard. Like Black Ops Cold War it will link up with Warzone, giving players access to new weapons and other content. Confirmed for late 2021, Vanguard will introduce its own map to the popular multiplayer title, Sledgehammer promising that a new anti-cheat system will be in place.
If you prefer Call of Duty singleplayer, we recently got our first glimpse of that too with an early look at the upcoming Stalingrad level.
Call of Duty: Vanguard will launch on November 5th for PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC. We are also reminding our readers of the ongoing allegations and multiple lawsuits against Activision.
