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Gears 5 Tech Test release date and access, Terminator Dark Fate pre-order and guide to Gears 5 editions and early access explained

The many ways you can get your hands on Gears 5 this year.

Matthew Reynolds avatar
Guide by Matthew Reynolds Former Guides Editor
Updated on

The Gears 5 Tech Test allows you to get hold of the Xbox shooter sequel this summer, ahead of its September release date on Xbox One and PC.

Meanwhile, there are a number of Gears 5 editions, various ways to get Gears 5 early access, and the opportunity to get a Gears 5 Terminator Dark Fate pre-order pack if you play the game early enough in its release.

Gears 5 Tech Test release date and access explained

Microsoft has announced that the Gear 5 Tech Test will be available for pre-download on July 17th at the following times:

  • 6pm (BST)
  • 7pm (CEST)
  • 1pm (EDT)
  • 10am (PDT)

The Tech Test will be approximately 15GB.

There will be two Tech Tests in total. The first runs from Friday, 19th July to Monday, 22nd July. The second will run from Friday, 26th July to Monday, 29th July.

Both Tech Tests will start and finish at the following times:

  • 6pm (BST)
  • 7pm (CEST)
  • 1pm (EDT)
  • 10am (PDT)

The Tech Test focuses on Versus mode, having two new multiplayer maps and three modes for you to experiment with. You can play King of the Hill, Arcade, "frenetic experience built for jump-in, over-the-top fun", as well as Escalation 2.0, the "next evolution of our esports mode", according to Microsoft.

There will also be two new features for you to play. The first is Bootcamp, which is a training mode for learning new mechanics. The second is Tour of Duty - where you can complete medals to unlock exclusive Tester Weapons skins for Gears 5. If you complete all three medals, you'll be able to unlock the exclusive Tester Banner.

Gears 5 Tech Test will be available on both Xbox One and PC. To get Gears 5 Tech Test access, you need to either:

  • Have an Xbox Game Pass subscription
  • Pre-order Gears 5 at participating retailers

How to get the Gears 5 Terminator Dark Fate pre-order pack

As an incentive to get the game early, Gears 5 offers a Terminator Dark Fate pre-order pack.

To access the pack, pre-order any digital edition of Gears 5, or play using an active Xbox Game Pass membership within the first week of release (by September 16th, in other words) to get your hands-on some Terminator skins.

Specifically, the Terminator Dark Fate pack features:

  • Sarah Connor skin
  • T-800 skin
  • Vector Lancer Skin
  • 7 Days of Boost

Character packs and skins require Xbox Live Gold if you're playing on Xbox Live Gold, by the way.

Cover image for YouTube videoGears 5 Terminator Dark Fate Reveal - E3 2019
Gears 5 Terminator Dark Fate Reveal - E3 2019Watch on YouTube

Gears 5 Editions guide and how to get Gears 5 early access

Here's how to get Gears 5 early access through the various editions available:

Gears 5 Ultimate Edition (available through Physical, Digital pre-orders or the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription):

  • Gears 5 early access - play from September 6th
  • Ultimate Edition Character Pack
  • 30 Days of Boost
  • Terminator Dark Fate pack (play by September 16th)

Gears 5 Standard Edition (available with standard physical and digital editions, Xbox Game Pass subscription):

  • Gears 5 access from September 10th
  • Terminator Dark Fate pack (play by September 16th)

Will there be a Gears 5 pre-load?

Yes; Gears 5 will be available to pre-load ahead of time - time and date to be confirmed. You'll be able to do this on a Xbox Game Pass subscription too - it's not just limited to a digital pre-order.

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