Fans of the long-running Gears of War franchise will soon have the opportunity to experience the Beta of its upcoming entry, Gears of War: Reloaded, ahead of the official launch date set for August 26, 2025. The Coalition has formally unveiled all details regarding the game’s Multiplayer Beta, which will span two consecutive weekends in June. This Beta period offers players an early glimpse into both social and competitive modes while allowing the developers to fine-tune the multiplayer experience before the game’s release.
The Multiplayer Beta will be accessible on a broad range of platforms, including Xbox Series X and S, Windows PC via Xbox PC and Steam, PlayStation 5, NVIDIA GeForce Now, and Xbox Cloud Gaming. The developers have emphasized that there are no platform restrictions for participation. Moreover, support is extended to SteamOS and the Steam Deck, ensuring that portable PC gaming enthusiasts are not left out.
The Beta will be held in two phases. The first weekend will commence on Friday, June 13, at 7 PM UTC (12 PM PST) and conclude on Sunday, June 15, at 7 PM UTC (12 PM PST). The second weekend will follow a similar schedule, beginning Friday, June 20, and ending Sunday, June 22. Access to the Beta is granted automatically to those who digitally pre-order Gears of War: Reloaded on supported platforms, hold an active Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass membership, or own the digital version of Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, provided it was purchased before May 5, 2025.
Regarding playable content, the first weekend will focus on the Team Deathmatch mode, featuring the iconic maps Gridlock, Raven Down, and Gold Rush. The second weekend will expand the map pool to include Courtyard and War Machine and introduce King of the Hill on the Canals map, adding a competitive edge to the Beta experience.
The primary objective of the Beta is to assess the stability of multiplayer systems, cross-platform functionality, and overall game performance. Players encountering technical issues are encouraged to report them via the official Gears of War support page rather than filing complaints about gameplay balancing or legacy bugs.
As an incentive, participants who pre-order the game or hold a Game Pass membership will unlock two exclusive character skins—Adam Fenix and Anya Stroud—upon the full game’s release. These rewards aim to honor long-time fans while introducing new players to iconic figures from the franchise’s lore.
Cross-platform play is fully supported and can be toggled on or off in the game’s settings menu. Those wishing to enjoy cross-progression or invite friends from other platforms will need to link a Microsoft Account. The FAQ also provides detailed guidance on player reporting, bug reporting channels, and system requirements for the PC version, which include a Windows 10 19H2 OS, 8 GB RAM, and a mid-range GPU such as the Radeon RX 480 or GeForce GTX 1650.
For players who purchased Gears of War: Ultimate Edition digitally, Beta access codes will be distributed through the Xbox Message Center starting June 11, 2025. Should these not be received in time, affected users are instructed to contact Xbox Support directly.
Summary of Key Beta Details:
- Platforms Supported: Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC (Xbox PC and Steam), PlayStation 5, NVIDIA GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud Gaming
- Beta Weekend 1: June 13 – June 15, 2025
- Beta Weekend 2: June 20 – June 22, 2025
- Access Methods: Digital pre-order, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate/PC Game Pass membership, or digital ownership of Gears of War: Ultimate Edition (prior to May 5, 2025)
- Modes and Maps (Weekend 1): Team Deathmatch on Gridlock, Raven Down, and Gold Rush
- Additional Content (Weekend 2): Team Deathmatch on Courtyard and War Machine, King of the Hill on Canals
- Exclusive Beta Rewards: Adam Fenix and Anya Stroud character skins for pre-orders and Game Pass members
- Cross-Platform Play: Fully enabled with optional toggle
- PC Minimum Specs: Windows 10 19H2, 8 GB RAM, AMD Ryzen 3 or Intel i5 Skylake CPU, Radeon RX 480 or GeForce GTX 1650 GPU, 3 GB VRAM, DirectX 12
Gears of War: Reloaded is set to be fully released on August 26, 2025, offering an enhanced and improved multiplayer experience across modern gaming platforms.
