Gears of War: E-Day Open Beta Is Now Available on Xbox and Steam (Aug 13–17)
Microsoft has opened the door to an important pre-launch window for Gears of War: E-Day, with the open beta now available to download ahead of its final test run. Players can get the files ready early and jump into multiplayer as soon as servers go live.
Open beta dates: August 13–17
This upcoming phase runs for four days and is positioned as the last chance to try the game’s multiplayer before release. The Coalition will use the extended open period to stress-test its matchmaking and gameplay systems with a much larger pool of participants than in earlier opportunities.
Two multiplayer modes will be available during the beta:
- Multiplayer Versus for competitive matches
- Horde Siege as a cooperative alternative focused on surviving waves of enemies
Free, public access—no invites required
Unlike restricted playtests, the beta is fully public and free. Anyone can download it through Xbox Store or Steam, then play once the beta officially starts on August 13.
If you’re planning to play over the weekend, now is the time to prepare: you can keep Gears of War: E-Day installed starting today, so there’s no need to wait for downloads when servers are enabled on Thursday.
Download details and what’s included
The open beta is available now for installation, with the actual playable window beginning on August 13 and ending on August 17.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Preload | Available starting now |
| Open beta start | August 13 |
| Open beta end | August 17 |
| Platforms | Xbox and PC via Steam |
| Cost / access | Free and open to the public |
| Multiplayer modes | Multiplayer Versus and Horde Siege |
Preloading is especially helpful for players who want to start immediately when servers open, avoiding any download delays at launch time.
