The Coalition has added its 4v4 Versus mode to the first Gears of War: E-Day beta weekend, so early-access players no longer have to wait for competitive multiplayer. The studio made the change after players pushed back on an early-access period that originally offered only Horde Siege. Both modes are now scheduled for the same weekend, giving pre-order and Game Pass players a much fuller test of the game before it launches on October 6.
Quick answer: Versus PvP is playable during Early Access from August 6 (12pm PT) to August 10 (10am PT) for anyone who pre-ordered on Xbox, Steam, or Game Pass Ultimate/PC Game Pass. Everyone else can play both Versus and Horde Siege in the open weekend from August 13 (12pm PT) to August 17 (10am PT).
What changed in the Early Access weekend
The early-access period was first set up to feature only Horde Siege, the reworked co-op survival mode. That left out Versus, the series’ signature player-versus-player mode. Because pre-release previews had already shown creators playing Versus, many players expected competitive matches to be part of the paid early access. The complaints were loud enough that The Coalition responded directly on X with “We hear you. We acted,” and confirmed Versus would be live from August 6 through August 10.
Both pillars of the multiplayer are now in the opening weekend. On Xbox and PC, Horde Siege and the newly added Versus mode download as separate clients, so make sure you grab both if you want to test everything.
Beta dates and who gets in first
The beta runs across two weekends. The first is limited to players with early access, while the second opens to everyone on eligible platforms with no pre-order required. All times are listed in Pacific Time.
| Weekend | Dates | Who can play | Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Access | Aug 6, 12pm PT – Aug 10, 10am PT | Pre-orders (Xbox, Steam), Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members | Horde Siege and 4v4 Versus |
| Open Beta | Aug 13, 12pm PT – Aug 17, 10am PT | All players, all eligible platforms, no pre-order needed | Horde Siege and 4v4 Versus |
On Xbox Series X|S consoles, you need at least a Game Pass Essentials membership to play online. On Steam, an Xbox or Microsoft account is not required to play, though you will need to link one if you want to send cross-platform squad invites.
How to download the beta for Early Access
How you get the client depends on where you placed your order. Preloading is already live.
For the open weekend, no pre-order is needed at all. Starting August 13, search “Gears Beta” on Xbox, the Xbox for PC app, or Steam and download it directly.
What Versus and Horde Siege play like
Versus has been rebuilt around 4v4 matches instead of the series’ usual 5v5. Every player starts with an equal loadout, and matches are shaped by Power Weapons and the game’s new movement system. The Team Deathmatch and Conquest options are in the beta. At full launch, Versus will also include Demolition and the Power Core-focused Crucible mode.
Horde Siege is a 12-player take on the co-op survival mode. Three squads of four fight across much larger maps built from several arenas. The beta uses the Golden Quarter map and four classes, with squads completing shifting objectives and side activities that grant perks before a final battle and extraction. You can team up with other squads mid-match, which is how encounters like taking down a Brumak play out.
The core movement was rebuilt from the ground up, so characters feel more fluid while keeping the heavy, grounded weight the series is known for. If you prefer the old controls, a legacy layout is available. PC players can also test Nvidia’s DLSS and Reflex settings during the beta.
Beta rewards and what carries over
Playing the beta unlocks cosmetic rewards that land in your inventory at launch. You have to actually play to earn them, and each is tied to a specific challenge.
| Reward | How to unlock |
|---|---|
| Epic Blast Damage Mags Character Skin | Reach Player Level 20 |
| Rare Crush the Bug Weapon Skin Set | Extract from Horde Siege 8 times on Infantry difficulty or higher |
| Crush the Bug Banner | Get 25 headshots |
| Crush the Bug Emblem | Perform 10 revives |
| Crush the Bug Icon | Perform 5 Prototype Lancer Chainsaw executions |
| Open Beta Medal & First in the Fight Title | Launch the multiplayer beta |
The Beta Player Title, Beta Medal, and any challenge rewards you unlock will be usable at launch. However, your class progression, Player Level, and other Medal progress reset and do not carry over to the full game. Progress does carry between the two beta weekends, so anything you earn in Early Access stays with you when the open weekend begins.
PC setup and known issues
Nvidia users must update to GeForce Game Ready Driver 610.74 before launching. The game will not start on any other Nvidia driver until you update. These are beta specs and not the final launch requirements, which will be updated closer to release.
Because this is a work-in-progress build, expect rough edges. Crashes and performance dips are possible, accessibility features such as menu narration are still being refined, and you may see world issues like cover problems, visual popping, and out-of-bounds spots. The death camera and executions also have known bugs that can cause jittering or odd angles. If you hit a problem that is not already on the known issues list, you can report it through the official Gears support ticket form.
With both Versus and Horde Siege now sharing the opening weekend, the beta is a far more complete preview of what Gears of War: E-Day will offer when Marcus Fenix returns on October 6. It also gives The Coalition a wider spread of feedback on balance, movement, matchmaking, and network performance well before the game ships.
