The Gears of War: E-Day open beta is now underway later today. Running from August 13 through August 17, the test gives players on Xbox Series X|S and PC a chance to experience two of the game’s multiplayer modes before the full launch on October 6.
The open beta features 4v4 Versus PvP and 12-player Horde Siege. Versus delivers the classic competitive Gears experience in a tighter team format, while Horde Siege expands the series’ long-running cooperative wave-based mode to a larger player count. Both modes are available for the duration of the weekend test.
This public session follows an early-access period that ran August 6–10 for players who pre-ordered the game or had access through Game Pass. The early-access weekend allowed a smaller group to test the multiplayer systems first. The open beta now removes those restrictions and invites a wider audience on the supported platforms.
Gears of War: E-Day is being developed by The Coalition and marks the next mainline entry in the franchise. The game is scheduled to release on October 6, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S and PC, including Steam. It will also arrive day one on Game Pass. Pre-order and Game Pass benefits earlier provided priority access to the first beta weekend; the current open beta does not require a purchase.
Cross-play is supported between Xbox and PC, allowing players on different platforms to group up and match together. The beta is focused on multiplayer only. Campaign content is not part of this test and will remain unseen until closer to launch or at a later preview event.
For longtime Gears players, the beta offers the first large-scale look at how the new entry handles movement, gunplay, and mode design. The Coalition has adjusted the feel of the series in recent years, and community feedback from both beta weekends will likely influence final tuning before October. Newer players get a low-stakes way to sample the signature cover-based shooting and the intensity of Horde without committing to the full game yet.
The open beta runs until August 17. After it ends, the next major milestone will be the October 6 release. Between now and then, The Coalition is expected to monitor performance, balance, and player reception from the two test weekends. For anyone interested in the next chapter of Gears of War, the open beta provides the most substantial hands-on opportunity available before launch.
Gears of War: E-Day’s multiplayer is available to play in open beta form starting today. The window is limited to five days, but it covers the core competitive and cooperative modes that will define the game’s online experience at launch. Will you be hopping in and joining the fight against the locust?