Gears of War: E-Day Multiplayer Beta Starts Today

The wait is almost over for Gears of War: E-Day, with its multiplayer beta opening in just a few hours. The test gives players a chance to sample what The Coalition is building for the series’ return ahead of the full release on October 6, including fresh modes, maps, weapons, and beta-only rewards.

Beta dates, platforms, and who can play

First weekend: early access

Start: August 6
End: August 10

Eligibility for early access

Have an active subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass
Pre-order any edition of Gears of War: E-Day

Second weekend: open beta

Start: August 13
End: August 17

During the open beta, any player can join on Xbox Series and PC without reserving the game.

What’s inside the multiplayer test

First weekend content

New Horde Siege (PvE) mode
1 map
4 playable classes
Maximum class level: 10
2 invasion events
All weapons planned for launch

Second weekend additions

Alongside everything from the first weekend, the open beta adds:

Versus (PvP) mode
2 competitive modes
2 PvP maps

Progression limits during the beta

Maximum player level: 50
5 medals available
Limited selection of characters and cosmetic items

Beta-only rewards and what carries over

Players can earn rewards by completing challenges throughout the test period. Unlocks include:

Epic Mags “Explosive Damage” skin — reach player level 20
“Squash the Bug” weapon pack — complete 8 extractions in Horde Siege on Infantry difficulty or higher
“Squash the Bug” banner — get 25 headshots
“Squash the Bug” emblem — perform 10 revives
“Squash the Bug” icon — execute 5 enemies with the prototype Lancer chainsaw
Open Beta Medal and the title “First in the Fight” — log in during the beta
All of these rewards are also available when the full game launches

PC requirements and supported performance features

Minimum settings (1080p / 60 FPS)

Windows 10/11 (22H2 or later)
Ryzen 5 2600X / Core i7-6850K / Core i5-10400
12 GB RAM
RTX 2060 / RTX 5050 or Radeon RX 6600 / RX 9060
SSD with 80 GB free space

Recommended settings (1440p / 60 FPS)

Windows 10/11 (22H2 or later)
Ryzen 5 5600 / Core i5-11600K
16 GB RAM
RTX 3060 Ti / RTX 5060 or Radeon RX 6700 XT / RX 9060 XT
SSD with 80 GB free space

The PC version will support NVIDIA DLSS 4.5, AMD FSR 4, and Intel XeSS 3.0, along with HDR and ultrawide monitor compatibility. It will also include an integrated tool to benchmark system performance before you start playing.