The return of Marcus Fenix and co is almost here, with Gears of War: E-Day set for release across on Tuesday, October 6. Ahead of that, there’s the small matter of an early access window for the game’s Open Beta.
Gamers will get a chance to see how E-Day is shaping up a couple of months ahead of launch. Customers who have pre-ordered the game will be able to join in the first Open Beta window, but it’s also available to certain Xbox Game Pass subscribers. Here’s everything you need to know about the Gears of War: E-Day Open Beta early access.
Gears of War: E-Day Open Beta early access countdown, date and time
The Gears of War Open Beta is just days away from being available. It will begin for those eligible for early access on Thursday August 6 at 12pm PT – that’s 8pm BST for us Brits.
The window will be open throughout the weekend, offering plenty of time to get to grips with this work-in-progress version of E-Day. It’ll close at 10am PT or 6pm BST on Monday, August 10.
How to play in the Gears of War: E-Day Open Beta early access
Early access available as a perk to players who have pre-ordered Gears of War: E-Day on Xbox Series X/S and Steam. However, it’ll also be open to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers.
To download the Open Beta during the early access weekend, Game Pass subscribers can access it by searching for ‘Gears Beta’ in the Game Pass menu on console. Those who pre-ordered a digital copy on the Xbox Store should be able to see the beta client under ‘My Games and Apps’ on Xbox or ‘My Library’ in the PC App.
Those who pre-ordered a physical version of the game should have received an email from their chosen retailer with a code to access the beta. This also is true for those who pre-orderd the Collector’s Edition, regardless of purchase method, and anyone who bought the game via Steam can find the beta client in their Steam library.
Gears of War: E-Day Open Beta PC specs
The full specifications, both minimum and recommended for PC players, can be found below, courtesy of The Coalition and Xbox Game Studios.
Gears of War: E-Day Open Beta content, maps and modes
The content players will experience during the Open Beta will differ during the Early Access and regular windows. During Early access, players will see the evolution of the PvE mode, Horde Siege.
During the following weekend of Open Beta action, planned for August 13 to August 17, the 4v4 versus mode opens up as well. During the beta, the following content will be included:
- Horde Siege: One map, four classes and Level 10 cap (Compared to three maps and Level 30 cap at launch)
- Invasion Events: Two Invasion Bosses (Compared to four at launch)
- Versus: Two modes, two maps, five medals and Level 50 cap (Compared to four modes, six maps, more than 80 medals and Level 100 cap with four re-ups)
Gears of War: E-Day Open Beta exclusive rewards
As a thank you for supporting the game and playing in the Open Beta, Xbox is offering a number of rewards to carry over to the game’s full launch. Once certain challenges are completed, the following items will be available for use during the Open Beta and in player’s inventory come October 6:
