The Gears of War Reloaded beta is here, and fans of the franchise are eager to jump into the action before the full game releases in August. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the series, this beta offers a chance to experience the remastered classic with enhanced visuals and gameplay. Here’s everything you need to know about accessing and playing the beta, including dates, eligibility, and what content to expect.
The beta runs across two separate weekends, giving players multiple opportunities to test the multiplayer modes.
- Weekend 1: June 13 (3 PM ET) to June 15 (3 PM ET)
- Weekend 2: June 20 (3 PM ET) to June 22 (3 PM ET)
Each weekend offers different content, so if you want the full experience, try to play during both sessions. The first weekend focuses on Team Deathmatch, while the second expands the map selection and introduces King of the Hill.
How to Get Access to the Beta
There are three main ways to join the Gears of War Reloaded beta:
1. Preorder the Game
If you preorder Gears of War Reloaded digitally on Xbox, PlayStation 5, or PC (via Steam or the Microsoft Store), you’ll automatically get beta access. Physical preorders don’t count, so make sure you go digital if you want early playtime.
2. Subscribe to Game Pass
Active Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass members can jump into the beta without any additional purchases. This is a great option if you’re not ready to commit to a full purchase but still want to try the game.
3. Own Gears of War: Ultimate Edition
If you bought the digital version of Gears of War: Ultimate Edition before May 5, 2025, you’re eligible for a free upgrade to Reloaded. Check your Xbox messages or email for a beta access code if you haven’t received one yet.
What’s Included in the Beta?
The beta is all about multiplayer, letting players test the revamped mechanics and cross-platform features. Here’s what you can expect each weekend:
Weekend 1 (June 13-15)
- Mode: Team Deathmatch
- Maps: Gridlock, Raven Down, Gold Rush
Weekend 2 (June 20-22)
- Modes: Team Deathmatch + King of the Hill
- Maps: Gridlock, Raven Down, Gold Rush, Courtyard, War Machine (Team Deathmatch)
- King of the Hill Map: Canals
The second weekend is the more feature-rich of the two, so if you can only play once, aim for that session.
How to Download and Install the Beta
Once you’ve secured access, here’s how to get the beta on your platform of choice:
On Xbox Series X|S
- Go to the Microsoft Store.
- Search for “Gears of War Reloaded Beta.”
- Download and install (approx. 13.4 GB).
On PlayStation 5
- Visit the PlayStation Store.
- Search for the beta and download it.
On PC (Steam or Microsoft Store)
- Steam: If you preordered, check your library for beta access.
- Microsoft Store: Search for the beta and install it directly.
Preloading is available, so you can download the beta ahead of time and jump in as soon as it goes live.
Cross-Platform Play and Progression
One of the biggest features of Gears of War Reloaded is crossplay, meaning you can team up with friends on Xbox, PlayStation, or PC. Here’s how it works:
- Crossplay is enabled by default but can be turned off in settings if you prefer platform-specific matchmaking.
- Cross-progression is supported, so your unlocks and progress carry over between platforms. Just link your Microsoft account to enable this feature.
Bonus Rewards for Beta Players
If you preorder the game or play via Game Pass, you’ll unlock two exclusive character skins for use in the full game:
- Adam Fenix (Marcus Fenix’s father)
- Anya Stroud (a key COG officer)
These skins will be available when Gears of War Reloaded officially launches on August 26, 2025.
