In another unprecedented move, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 is changing double XP tokens so they count down in match and not real-time

Just days after announcing a silly skin off toggle for Call of Duty: Warzone, Activision has returned to share some even better news for Modern Warfare 4. At launch and beyond, double XP tokens will count down only when you're actively in a match, not in real-world time.

Call of Duty's official X account delivered the news succinctly, confirming that existing tokens - ones you may have accrued from previous COD titles or Warzone - will also be usable in Modern Warfare 4.

Previously, activating a double XP token would begin the countdown immediately. If you need to get up from your chair, take too long building a loadout or idle as you wait for a friend to join, all that time will be wasted as tokens continue to deplete in the background. It's something that's been universally disliked for obvious reasons, and players have called on Activision to change the way it works with each new yearly COD release.

The issue also isn't exclusive to Call of Duty; rival franchise Battlefield treats double XP tokens the same way, and its community is similarly frustrated. Battlefield Studios recently made players even more upset by sending an in-game message promising to change tokens so they count down in-match, before saying it was an error - twice.

As we approach the launch of Modern Warfare 4, Activision seems to be doing its best to convince lapsed players to return. Since the game's reveal, we've seen a pre-order loyalty discount, the introduction of a skin toggle in Warzone, developer updates about the game's matchmaking algorithm, and now this double XP token change - all things that mainly benefit longtime players who may be disillusioned with the series.

Modern Warfare 4 releases 23rd October on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Switch 2.