Gears 5's multiplayer tech test is open to all Xbox Live Gold subscribers from tomorrow
Arcade, King of the Hill, and more playable.
Developer The Coalition's Gears 5 multiplayer tech test returns this weekend on Xbox One and PC - and, this time, it's open to all Xbox Live Gold subscribers.
The Gears 5 Versus Tech Test, to give it its official name, started last weekend, but access was limited to Xbox Game Pass members and those that had pre-ordered the game. From tomorrow, 26th July, however, at 6pm in the UK/10am PDT, anyone with an Xbox Live Gold subscription can also fire up the test client and get stuck into Gears 5's new Bootcamp training mode and its "over-the-top" Arcade mode, which is detailed in the video below.
The Tech Test also includes access to King of the Hill mode, an updated competitive game type called Escalation, and Tour of Duty which offers rewards for completing various challenges.
And on the subject of rewards, anyone that completes a single match between 1.30am-2.30am in the UK/5.30pm-6.30pm PDT will be granted the exclusive Wreath Bloodspray. Microsoft didn't specify the length of this weekend's test in its announcement post, but previous word suggested it would from 26th to 29th July.
Those that want to get involved can download the test client from the Microsoft Store (just search for Gears 5 Tech Test), but be aware that servers won't come online until 6pm in the UK/10am PDT. Microsoft also notes that, due to the nature of the server test, players may encounter some queuing when they start a game.