Modern Warfare 4 beta adds 6v6 Lithium, Zodiac map

Infinity Ward confirmed the Modern Warfare 4 open beta for next weekend will expand to all supported platforms and include several new maps and modes. The studio named Lithium, Zodiac, Combat Outpost and Hijack among the additions and said it is addressing spawn issues reported during the first beta weekend.

Zodiac, developed by Beenox, joins the Resurgence rotation. The map is designed for close-quarters combat and includes multiple points of interest intended to concentrate engagements. Zodiac will appear in Resurgence matches, which feature faster respawns and tighter combat flows than standard maps.

Hijack is a multiplayer objective mode built around a single data spike. Teams score by planting the spike on one of two communications towers. Players can carry the spike as a blunt weapon and use it to strike opponents while contesting tower locations.

Lithium is a new 6v6 arena-style map for traditional multiplayer playlists. It is intended for standard 6v6 skirmishes and will be available alongside the other new modes during the beta weekend.

Combat Outpost is a variant of Ground War that adds multiple capture points across the map. Teams can seize outposts and then secure them; secured outposts grant additional support options to the controlling side and increase the difficulty for the opposing team to retake those positions.

The developer reported it has been working on spawn improvements based on player feedback and telemetry from the initial beta. The adjustments aim to reduce spawn camping and improve where players re-enter matches.

The open beta serves as pre-launch testing to refine maps, modes and core systems with larger player counts. The expanded platform access will allow a wider set of players to test balance and performance ahead of release.