Ready to dive into the epic World War II narrative of Call of Duty: Vanguard on your PS4? This game offers a gripping single-player campaign that throws you into some of the most pivotal battles of the era. While the game also features robust multiplayer and Zombies modes, the campaign is a truly cinematic experience. Let's get you set up to play!
How to Install Call of Duty: Vanguard Campaign on PS4: A Comprehensive Guide
Installing Call of Duty: Vanguard on your PS4, especially if you're primarily interested in the campaign, involves a few crucial steps. Due to the modular nature of modern Call of Duty titles, the campaign might be a separate download within the main game. Don't worry, we'll walk through it together.
Step 1: Engaging with Your PlayStation Account and the PlayStation Store
Alright, before we even think about downloading, let's make sure your PS4 is ready!
- Is your PS4 turned on? Excellent!
- Are you logged into your PlayStation Network (PSN) account? This is essential. If you're not logged in, head to the main PS4 dashboard and select your user profile to sign in.
- Once you're logged in, navigate to the PlayStation Store icon on your dashboard. It's usually a blue bag with the PlayStation logo on it. Go ahead and select it. This is where the magic begins!
Step 2: Locating Call of Duty: Vanguard in the PlayStation Store
Now that you're in the PlayStation Store, we need to find the game. There are a couple of ways to do this:
Sub-heading: Option A: The "What's Hot" or Featured Section (If the Game is New/Promoted)
- Sometimes, new or popular games like Call of Duty: Vanguard are featured prominently on the PlayStation Store's homepage or in a "What's Hot" section. Take a quick scroll to see if it jumps out at you. If you see a thumbnail for Call of Duty: Vanguard, you can simply select it.
Sub-heading: Option B: Using the Search Function (The Most Reliable Method)
- If you can't spot it immediately, don't fret! The most reliable way to find the game is to use the search bar. On the PlayStation Store, you'll typically find a "Search" icon (often represented by a magnifying glass) at the top of the screen. Select this.
- Now, a virtual keyboard will appear. Carefully type in "Call of Duty Vanguard".
- As you type, suggestions might pop up. Select the correct one when it appears, or continue typing the full name and then select "Search" or "Done."
Step 3: Purchasing and Initiating the Base Game Download
Once you've found Call of Duty: Vanguard, you'll be taken to its product page.
Sub-heading: Checking Game Editions and Pricing
- On this page, you'll likely see different editions of the game (Standard, Cross-Gen Bundle, Ultimate Edition, etc.) and their respective prices. Make sure you select the edition you wish to purchase. If you already own the digital version, it will show "Download" instead of a price.
- If you need to purchase it, follow the on-screen prompts to complete the transaction. This will typically involve confirming your payment method.
Sub-heading: Starting the Initial Download
- After purchase (or if you already own it), you'll see a prominent "Download" button. Select this.
- Your PS4 will then begin the initial download of the base game files. Be aware that Call of Duty games are quite large. For Call of Duty: Vanguard on PS4, the initial download size was around 54.65 GB, but the required space on your hard drive could be up to 93.12 GB after installation and updates. Ensure you have enough free storage space on your console.
- This might take some time depending on your internet connection speed. You can check the download progress by going to your PS4's Notifications (the icon with a speech bubble) and then selecting "Downloads."
Step 4: Downloading the Campaign Packs (Crucial for Campaign Access!)
This is where many players might get stuck if they're not aware. Call of Duty: Vanguard, like other recent titles in the franchise, often downloads its different game modes (Campaign, Multiplayer, Zombies) as separate content packs. The base game download might only include core files and possibly multiplayer.
Sub-heading: Launching the Game and Accessing the Mode Selection Screen
- Once the initial download is complete (or at least enough for the game to launch), go back to your PS4 dashboard and launch Call of Duty: Vanguard.
- You'll likely be greeted with a title screen or a main menu that presents options like "Campaign," "Multiplayer," and "Zombies."
Sub-heading: Identifying and Installing the Campaign Packs
- Look closely at the "Campaign" option. If it has a lock icon next to it, or if it says something like "Install Campaign" or "Download Campaign Pack 1," it means the campaign content isn't fully installed yet.
- Hover over the "Campaign" option and you should see a prompt at the bottom of the screen to start the installation. On PS4, this is typically by pressing the Square button.
- You might be prompted to download "Campaign Pack 1" and potentially "Campaign Pack 2". It is essential to download both of these packs to gain full access to the Call of Duty: Vanguard single-player campaign.
- Confirm these downloads. They will then be added to your PS4's download queue.
- Let these downloads complete. You can monitor their progress in the PS4's Notifications under "Downloads," just like the main game.
Step 5: Verifying Installation and Enjoying the Campaign!
Once all the campaign packs have finished downloading and installing, you're almost there!
Sub-heading: Re-launching the Game (If Necessary)
- If the game was already running during the campaign pack downloads, it might automatically refresh. If not, it's a good idea to close the application completely and then restart Call of Duty: Vanguard.
Sub-heading: Starting Your World War II Journey
- Upon re-launching, navigate back to the main menu. The lock icon on the "Campaign" option should now be gone, and you should be able to select it.
- You'll then be able to choose your difficulty and jump right into the immersive and action-packed story of Call of Duty: Vanguard. Prepare for an unforgettable journey through the theaters of World War II!
Additional Tips for a Smooth Installation:
- Stable Internet Connection: A strong and stable internet connection is paramount for large game downloads. Consider using a wired Ethernet connection for optimal speeds.
- Free Storage Space: Always ensure you have significantly more free space than the reported download size. Game installations often require additional temporary space for unpacking and installing files.
- Background Downloads: Your PS4 allows for background downloads. You can put your console into Rest Mode, and it will continue downloading, often at a faster rate. Just make sure the "Stay Connected to the Internet" option is enabled in your power saving settings.
- Updates: Games frequently receive updates. After the initial installation, the game might prompt you for further patches. Always install these to ensure the best performance and access to the latest content.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some quick answers to common questions about Call of Duty: Vanguard installation:
How to check my PS4's available storage space? Go to Settings > Storage > System Storage. You'll see a breakdown of used and free space.
How to delete other games to make space for Vanguard? From the PS4 dashboard, highlight the game you want to delete, press the Options button on your controller, and select "Delete." Confirm your choice.
How to speed up Call of Duty: Vanguard download on PS4? Ensure no other large downloads are running, pause any streaming services on your network, and ideally, use a wired Ethernet connection to your PS4. Putting the console in Rest Mode can also help.
How to know if the Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign is fully installed? Launch the game and go to the main menu. If the "Campaign" option does not have a lock icon or a prompt to download/install, it's fully installed.
How to fix a locked Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign on PS4? Go to the game's main menu, highlight "Campaign," and press the button (usually Square) that prompts you to "Start Install" or "Download Campaign Pack." Ensure both Campaign Pack 1 and 2 are downloaded.
How to find downloaded game files on PS4? Downloaded files are automatically installed. You can see their progress in Notifications > Downloads. Once complete, the game will be accessible from your Library.
How to redownload Call of Duty: Vanguard if something went wrong? You can delete the game from your PS4 and then go to your Library on the PS4 dashboard, find Call of Duty: Vanguard, and select "Download" again.
How to play Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign offline? Once the campaign is fully installed, you can play it offline. However, the initial download and any subsequent patches will require an internet connection.
How to install only the Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign and not other modes? While the base game download is mandatory, once installed, you can often manage individual content packs (like Multiplayer and Zombies) within the game's menu to uninstall them if you only want the campaign, saving some storage space. This is done from the in-game menu, usually under "File Management" or "Installs."
How to troubleshoot if the download is stuck or not starting? Try restarting your PS4, checking your internet connection, or pausing and resuming the download from the Notifications menu. If issues persist, you might need to rebuild your PS4's database (safe mode option 5) or contact PlayStation support.