Gears of War: E-Day: The Open Beta is Ready – Here's What You Need to Know

It's finally here: The Coalition is opening the gates to Gears of War: E-Day today. The Early Access beta phase begins at 12:00 PM Pacific Time, which is 7:00 PM UTC or 9 PM in our time zone – though initially only for a select group. If you've pre-ordered the game or have an active Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass subscription, you can jump in now.

Two modes will be tested: the cooperative Horde Siege mode, where you team up to defend against waves of Locust, and the classic 4v4 Versus mode. The Early Access phase runs until August 10th inclusive, followed by a break before an open beta weekend for all interested players takes place from August 13th to 17th – no pre-order or Game Pass subscription required then.

What's Being Tested in the Beta

The beta is primarily intended to thoroughly test the core feel of the cover-system action and the new Horde mechanics before the full version launches. Specifically, you can expect:

• The co-op Horde Siege mode with customizable defensive structures and wave-based enemies
• 4v4 Versus with at least one familiar Gears map set in a 90s flashback
• Server stress tests, which are intended to directly impact network performance at launch
• First playable versions of the revamped cover and evasion mechanics
• Cross-play between Xbox consoles and PC within the beta lobbies

You can gain access via the Xbox app, PC Game Pass, or Steam, provided you've pre-ordered. It's best to download the client in advance so you're ready for the launch – the download size can be several gigabytes depending on the platform, so plan for adequate storage space.

Timeline Until October Release

The beta is just an intermediate stop. Gears of War: E-Day will be released as a full version on October 6th for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and directly into the Game Pass catalog. If you miss the Early Access phase, the open weekend in mid-August offers a second chance before things get serious in the fall.

Context: A Prequel with High Nostalgia Potential

E-Day is set before the very first Gears of War from 2006 and tells the story of the titular "Emergence Day" – the day the Locust first emerged from the depths. For series veterans, this is an exciting angle, as familiar characters like Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago are still young and inexperienced here. From our perspective, the combination of Horde mode and an origin story is particularly appealing: instead of just playing on nostalgia, The Coalition is using the beta to test whether the revamped systems genuinely feel fresh – and not just like a facelift of previous titles. How well this succeeds will become clear in the coming days as the first community impressions of Horde Siege roll in. For more on the first multiplayer trailer and what we noticed, read our Deep-Dive into E-Day Multiplayer.

Source: Xbox Wire, gearsofwar.com, Pure Xbox

Do you have access to the beta? Secure your spot in the lobby in time and share your first impressions of Horde Siege with us in the comments.