Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

What is Call of Duty HQ? CoD launcher explained

Liam Mackay
MW3 players Terminal multiplayerActivision

Premium CoD titles like Black Ops 6 will be unified alongside the free Warzone experience thanks to the Call of Duty app that brings them together in one place.

Previously called CoD HQ, the launcher is a one-stop shop for all your Call of Duty titles. The platform has received criticism from fans, but the devs have decided to use player feedback to make improvements to the system for Black Ops 6’s launch. Here’s what you need to know about the app.

Call of Duty HQ explained

The Call of Duty app or CoD HQ is the franchise’s dedicated launcher where players will be able to access several games, including Modern Warfare 3, Warzone, and Black Ops 6.

CoD launcher app menuActivision
The devs provided a look at the overhauled launcher.

From the unified CoD launcher, players have the option to access a wide variety of game modes and experiences across every active Call of Duty title, including Warzone’s Battle Royale and Resurgence as well as the upcoming Black Ops 6 Zombies mode, among others.

Each annual premium game, as well as Warzone, will be accessible through this application that will appear as “Call of Duty” on consoles and PC.

All upcoming changes

Call of Duty revealed that they’re using your feedback to implement changes to the launcher. Their goals include reducing file sizes, introducing an optimized UI, and giving you more control over your downloads.

Call of Duty app changes coming soonActivision

The changes will be rolled out in stages between the Season 5 Reloaded update on August 21 and the Black Ops 6 launch on October 25.

It all kicks off with a tech update with August 21’s Season 5 Reloaded update. The update will be bigger than usual to reorganize game files, implement new texture streaming tech, and separate Warzone’s default download from annual titles.

The devs explained their plan to give players more choices over their downloads: “When you purchase an annual title, you will only download the files for that game by default. On the free-to-play side, players can ‘opt-in’ to get Call of Duty: Warzone when they’re downloading a new annual title or simply download it separately at any point in time.”

While the initial Season 5 Reloaded update will be bigger than normal, it’s meant to lighten the burden on your device for the following updates and new game releases: “This initial download will not permanently add the stated file size to the storage space that Call of Duty takes up on your device. Once complete, Call of Duty’s footprint will decrease due to these file optimizations.”

This year, the Black Ops 6 beta is available to all players with no requirements. As part of the changes to CoD HQ, players who have downloaded the Season 5 Reloaded update will benefit from an automatic install of the beta when it becomes available.

Then, before Black Ops 6 arrives, the devs will implement the new UI. The transition will occur before October 25, but the official date has yet to be revealed.

How to install CoD launcher

To install the CoD launcher, you simply have to download Modern Warfare 3 or Warzone, which will include the Call of Duty launcher. Once installed, you’ll notice that the app is named “Call of Duty,” as Warzone, MW3, or any additional game will work as a content package within it.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to install Call of Duty on consoles and PC.

PlayStation

  1. Head to the PlayStation Store.
  2. Search for “Call of Duty.”
  3. Select the Call of Duty: Warzone option which should say “Free” or any Call of Duty game you wish to download, including Modern Warfare 3.
  4. Hit download.
  5. You now have CoD installed.

Xbox

  1. Head to the Xbox Store.
  2. Search “Call of Duty.”
  3. Pick the free Warzone option or any CoD title you wish to download, like Modern Warfare 3.
  4. Hit download.
  5. Now you should have CoD installed.

Steam & Battlenet PC

  1. Head to Steam or Battle.net‘s stores.
  2. Search for “Call of Duty.”
  3. Select the Warzone option or any Call of Duty game you wish to download, including Modern Warfare 3.
  4. Hit download.
  5. You now have CoD installed.

That’s everything you need to know about the Call of Duty app, including how to install it on all platforms.

The Black Ops 6 campaign will also be accessible through the launcher so don’t miss out on the reveal at Gamescom Opening Night Live.

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