The Coalition has released a detailed list of 10 performance tweaks, balance tuning fixes, and stability updates for the second weekend of the Gears of War: E-Day Multiplayer Beta. Following a strong turnout during the first weekend, the open beta rollout begins today for Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers.

Quick Facts

  • Event Window: Begins Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 7pm UTC (12pm PDT / 3pm EDT / 8pm BST).
  • Platforms: Xbox Series X|S and PC (via Microsoft Store and Steam).
  • Access: Available through the Microsoft Store or via pre-order and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
  • Key Updates: Prototype Lancer base damage increase, hit detection improvements for Horde Siege, and anti-cheat enforcement.

Beta Weekend 2 Fixes And Improvements

The developer outlined specific adjustments implemented to address community feedback from the initial testing phase:

  • Prototype Lancer: Increased base damage while reducing perfect reload damage.
  • Hit Detection Delays: Addressed hit registration issues reported by players during Horde Siege matches.
  • Anti-Cheat Protection: Enhanced anti-cheat measures and issued enforcement actions against verified cheaters.
  • Drone-Snub Error Code: Implemented mitigations and updated port requirements from UDP 443 to UDP 3074.
  • Stability & Performance: Reduced crash frequency across all platforms and implemented connection timeout fixes.
  • Matchmaking: Applied further system improvements for Versus in both Social and Ranked playlists.
  • Hardware Support: Fixed an issue where certain third-party controllers failed to recognize upon launch via Steam.
  • Account Linking: Resolved an issue preventing players from linking their Microsoft accounts.
  • Xbox Series S: Executed additional optimizations to minimize hitching on the console.

Aim Assist And PC Requirements

The Coalition issued technical clarifications for PC users and controller configurations heading into the second weekend. PC players must install the beta file onto a solid-state drive (SSD), as mechanical hard disk drives (HDDs) are unsupported and can cause missing assets, severe loading issues, and crashes.

Regarding controller settings, the developer clarified that while a standard level of controller assist can be toggled on or off for all modes, the higher assist options—Snap Aim and Lock-On—exclusively affect Campaign and Horde Siege modes. Versus multiplayer remains unaffected by those higher settings, though missing explanatory text in the current settings screen will be updated at launch.