Gears 5 “technical test” is live: how to play, when it ends and more

Gears 5, the latest game in the Gears of War series, is undergoing a technical test starting July 19 for players to try out a bunch of multiplayer features and modes.

For anyone who pre-ordered the game or has a subscription to Xbox Game Pass, you can download the file for either Xbox One or PC. The game will appear in your library automatically as a July game pass title. 

Players can try out the following modes in the tech test and descriptions of each via the Gears 5 website:

Arcade: A new approachable, frenetic Versus experience.

Escalation: The pinnacle objective mode of Gears is back and better than ever.

King of the Hill: Capture the hill, enjoy the carnage.

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There are also two new features in Gears 5 for players to try out:

Bootcamp: Practice your skills and learn new mechanics in our new training mode.

Tour Of Duty: Experience a mini Tour of Duty, where you’ll complete Medals to unlock exclusive Tester Weapon Skins to take into Gears 5. Complete Challenges and earn enough stars to unlock the exclusive Tester Banner to showcase in Gears 5.

Speaking with Polygon, multiplayer design director Ryan Cleven described the new arcade mode as combination of Counter Strike: Global Offensive with its weapon-buying system and a hero shooter like Overwatch.

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“It’s our take on a hero shooter,” Cleven explained. 

Gears 5’s first tech test runs from July 19 until July 22.

Players will be able to select the role of a character from within the Gears franchise, such as Marcus Fenix. Each character will have their own loadout and passive ability. 

“Gears is that kind of game that, whenever I go into it, I get shotgunned in the face and I don’t know why,” Cleven said. “Arcade is an experience that might be more familiar to you, as well as being something that players who have played the series their whole life will also enjoy.” 

Cleven did confess, however, that “If you’re a campaign player and you hate PvP, this mode isn’t going to convince you to love PvP.” 

The technical test period will run until July 22 at 10 am PDT. A second test period will begin July 26 at 10 am PDT and conclude on July 29 at 10 am PDT. 

Gears 5 is scheduled to release on Xbox One and PC September 10, 2019.