The Coalition is kicking off Gears of War: E-Day hands-on content with the early access beta. It’s the first of two major beta weekends for the shooter, with a full open beta arriving after. This guide has everything you need to know about both and, crucially, how to get involved.
Gears of War: E-Day is having not one but TWO massive betas to ensure the Locusts be Locusting right. This feels like it could be a landmark Gears game, and there are two betas to test the multiplayer: One more exclusive and one more inclusive.
This is the ultimate Gears of War: E-Day beta guide.
How to Play Gears of War: E-Day Early Access Beta
To play the early access beta for Gears of War: E-Day, you must have pre-ordered E-Day on either XBOX Series X|S or Steam, or have a valid Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass Members subscription.
This beta caters to the hardcore GOW fans who’ve already locked in a pre-order, or loyal XBOX gamers with Game Pass.
- More Insider Gaming: Gears of War: E-Day Multiplayer Won’t Have Battle Passes
If you meet any of the criteria, you’re eligible to play the Gears of War: E-Day early access open beta, making you one of the first in the world!
- You can pre-order Gears of War: E-Day on the XBOX Store here.
- You can pre-order Gears of War: E-Day on Steam here.
- Here’s everything you need to know about XBOX Game Pass.
How to Play Gears of War: E-Day Open Beta
The Gears of War: E-Day open beta is exactly as the name suggests, as anyone on XBOX and PC can play it.
You don’t need any pre-orders locked in, and you don’t necessarily need a higher-tier XBOX Game Pass subscription, as long as you have a valid internet connection for Steam, or Game Pass Essentials on XBOX, you’re sorted.
A simple download of the beta from the XBOX or Steam store is all you need, and you can do it right now, as pre-downloads are available.
All Gears of War: E-Day Beta Dates & Times
The first weekend of the Gears of War: E-Day beta gets underway on August 6 at 12 PM PT and finishes up on August 10 at 10 AM PT, whereas the open beta starts on August 13 at 12 PM PT, before finishing up on August 17 at 10 AM PT.
Each beta weekend starts on a Thursday, and wraps up on the following Monday—giving you a bit more than a weekend to play each one.
- More Insider Gaming: Gears of War: E-Day Multiplayer Preview
These tables run through all start dates and end times for both betas around the world.
Weekend 1
| Region / Time Zone | Gears of War: E-Day Early Access Beta Start Dates & Times | Gears of War: E-Day Early Access Beta End Dates & Times |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific Time (PT) | 12:00 PM—August 6 | 10:00 AM—August 10 |
| Central Time (CT) | 2:00 PM—August 6 | 12:00 PM—August 10 |
| Eastern Time (ET) | 3:00 PM—August 6 | 1:00 PM—August 10 |
| Brasilia Time (BRT) | 6:00 PM—August 6 | 2:00 PM—August 10 |
| British Summer Time (BST) | 8:00 PM—August 6 | 6:00 PM—August 10 |
| Central European Summer Time (CEST) | 9:00 PM—August 6 | 7:00 PM—August 10 |
| China Standard Time (CST) | 3:00 AM—August 7 | 1:00 AM—August 11 |
| Korean Standard Time (KST) | 4:00 AM—August 7 | 2:00 AM—August 11 |
| Japan Standard Time (JST) | 4:00 AM—August 7 | 2:00 AM—August 11 |
| Australian Eastern Time (AET) | 5:00 AM—August 7 | 3:00 AM—August 11 |
| New Zealand Standard Time (NZST) | 7:00 AM—August 7 | 5:00 AM—August 11 |
Weekend 2
| Region / Time Zone | Gears of War: E-Day Open Beta Start Dates & Times | Gears of War: E-Day Open Beta End Dates & Times |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific Time (PT) | 12:00 PM—August 13 | 10:00 AM—August 17 |
| Central Time (CT) | 2:00 PM—August 13 | 12:00 PM—August 17 |
| Eastern Time (ET) | 3:00 PM—August 13 | 1:00 PM—August 17 |
| Brasilia Time (BRT) | 6:00 PM—August 13 | 2:00 PM—August 17 |
| British Summer Time (BST) | 8:00 PM—August 13 | 6:00 PM—August 17 |
| Central European Summer Time (CEST) | 9:00 PM—August 13 | 7:00 PM—August 17 |
| China Standard Time (CST) | 3:00 AM—August 14 | 1:00 AM—August 18 |
| Korean Standard Time (KST) | 4:00 AM—August 14 | 2:00 AM—August 18 |
| Japan Standard Time (JST) | 4:00 AM—August 14 | 2:00 AM—August 18 |
| Australian Eastern Time (AET) | 5:00 AM—August 14 | 3:00 AM—August 18 |
| New Zealand Standard Time (NZST) | 7:00 AM—August 14 | 5:00 AM—August 18 |
What Content to Expect in Gears of War: E-Day Betas—Modes, Maps & More
The beta content will be different across both weekends, with first-weekend testers getting to try out Horde Siege, whereas the second weekend adds 4v4 Versus into the mix.
Horde Siege is a new twelve-player co-op mode and is one of the most-hyped new multiplayer features, whereas the 4v4 content is pretty much on the nose.
If you’re planning to hop into the beta, here’s what you’ve got to look forward to!
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Andy is Insider Gaming's Senior Evergreen Editor and has been in the games journalism sphere in one way or another for over 7 years. His video game taste is as…
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