How to preload the Modern Warfare 3 Early Access Campaign

The time is almost here for the early access release of the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Campaign. Players who pre-ordered any edition of Modern Warfare 3 can play the Campaign early, and naturally, they need to know how to preload the file.

Even though it’s just the Campaign, the file for it is still going to be massive compared to other games. While your Internet connection might be fast, it’s still worth it to preload the file so you can play the Campaign as soon as it releases on Nov. 2.

Of course, this goes double for anyone out there with a slower Internet connection.

Preload the Modern Warfare 3 Early Access Campaign

According to multiple sources, you can start the preload for the MW3 Campaign on Nov. 1. It’s unclear what precise time the preload will go live, but you can expect it to happen around 1 P.M. ET.

Once the preload goes live, you should be able to download its file from whatever platform you have pre-ordered MW3 on. That’s an important distinction to remember as well; you can’t preload the Early Access Campaign unless you have first pre-ordered an edition of MW3. You can pre-order an edition straight from the marketplace of your choice (PS Store, Microsoft Store, Battle.Net, Steam).

• Related: How to access the Modern Warfare 3 Campaign in COD HQ

It’s also important to remember that you need to have COD HQ installed to preload the Campaign. COD HQ is a free application but is a behemoth when it comes to file size, coming in at 85 GB. Make sure you install COD HQ before you try and preload the Campaign on Nov. 1.

If you have COD HQ installed and have pre-ordered MW3, then you should be able to install the Early Access Campaign files on Nov. 1. If you’re on PC, this will come in the form of an update. However, on PlayStation or Xbox, you have to download the Campaign files separately, which can be done by going to the store page for MW3.

How big is the file for the Modern Warfare 3 Campaign?

Speaking of the Campaign files, the download for it will be around 50 GB, at least on PlayStation. It will likely be around this size on Xbox and PC as well.

So, if you don’t have COD HQ installed, then you have to download nearly 140 GB worth of files to play the Early Access Campaign when it drops on Nov. 2. As such, I recommend downloading COD HQ as soon as possible if you don’t already have it installed.

Then, you should be all set to preload the Campaign on Nov. 1 and be ready to play when it goes live on Nov. 2.