CoD Vanguard Preload Guide: How to Preload, All File Sizes, & When You Can Start Playing

As usual, Activision is back again in 2021 with another installment in the Call of Duty series, and this time it takes us back to WW2 and the battle against the Axis powers. With an all-new campaign to play through and some exciting features having been added to its multiplayer package, it comes as no surprise that the CoD fanbase is keen to dive into the action as quickly as possible. Here we’re running over how to preload CoD Vanguard, all the various file sizes, and when you can start playing the game.

CoD Vanguard Preload Times & How to Preload

There’s good news if you’re wanting to get started with Vanguard as quickly as possible because the game can actually already be preloaded right now. It became available for preload last week, on Oct. 28 at 9PM PT in North and South America, while other countries could begin the process on Oct. 29.

To get started with the preload, simply purchase the game and then select the option to install. This will download all the files required and ready the game for playing on your system once the release date comes about.

Those who have played CoD games before won’t be surprised to learn that this could take quite a while, as the file size for the game is very large. The actual time it’ll take to download will vary depending on the speed of your internet connection.

What’s the File Size For Call of Duty Vanguard?

So how big is the CoD Vanguard preload and install size exactly? Well, there’s good and bad news here. As reported last week by Twinfinite, the development team behind Vanguard has taken steps to ensure the game’s file size is actually much less than previous installments in the series. Specifically, it’s around 20-30% smaller.

Still, as welcome as the change is, Vanguard is still a pretty hefty file to download. Here’s an overview:

• PlayStation 5: 64.13 GB (89.84 GB Required Space)
• PlayStation 4: 54.65 GB (93.12 GB Required Space)
• Xbox Series X|S: 61 GB (61 GB Required Space)
• Xbox One: 56.6 GB (56.6 GB Required Space)

What Is the Unlock Time?

While CoD Vanguard is available to preload already, you won’t be able to start playing it until it unlocks on the official release day. Regardless of which version of the game you have purchased, the unlock time will be exactly the same — in North America, Call of Duty: Vanguard will unlock on Nov. 4 at 9 PM PT, which is midnight ET on Nov. 5.

If you are not based within the North American region, Vanguard will unlock at midnight local time.

For more on CoD Vanguard, be sure to search for Twinfinite or check out the links below.