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4h ago

Gears of War: E‑Day Beta Preloads Go Live Ahead of Staggered Game Pass Weekends

Staggered beta access gives Game Pass subscribers and pre‑order customers an early look at the new Horde Siege mode while confirming file sizes, driver requirements, and which beta rewards will carry into October.

Devolver Digital
A soldier in blue armor stabs a monstrous, grey-skinned creature in the chest with a combat knife, causing a violent spray of blood in a city ruin.
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Overview

  • Preloads for the multiplayer beta went live Tuesday and the client totals about 62GB on Series X with the beta split into separate Horde Siege and Versus downloads.
  • Early Access runs August 6–10 and is limited to pre‑orders and Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass subscribers, and an Open Beta follows August 13–17 that adds 4v4 Versus and opens access to all eligible players.
  • The Early Access weekend focuses only on the 12‑player Horde Siege PvE mode while the open weekend includes both Horde Siege and the refined 4v4 Versus competitive mode.
  • PC players must install NVIDIA GeForce Game Ready Driver 610.74 to launch the beta, and Xbox guidance says challenge rewards and a small set of beta titles and medals will carry to launch while most class progression and levels will reset.
  • Xbox is using this beta as part of its August Game Pass Wave 1 rollout that adds multiple titles now and in mid‑August and positions E‑Day for a full release on October 6, 2026, giving subscribers early hands‑on access that may influence pre‑orders and launch engagement.