Gears of War Reloaded Expands Second Beta After First Weekend Crashes and Fan Backlash
Gears of War Reloaded is gearing up for a historic launch on PlayStation this August, but the road there hasn’t been smooth. What should’ve been a celebratory moment for the long-running franchise turned into frustration after a disastrous first beta weekend, plagued by connection issues and downtime that cut the experience short for many eager players.
Now, in what appears to be an effort to repair the damage and regain fan trust, developer The Coalition has announced a second, extended beta complete with added content and a longer testing window to help appease fans and win them back over.
First Beta Weekend a "Gigantic Fumble"
The first Gears Reloaded beta was meant to give fans a preview of the game’s revamped multiplayer ahead of its cross-platform release. Instead, it was met with crashing servers, long queue times, and widespread frustration. Things reached a boiling point when the beta was abruptly taken offline midday Sunday, leaving many without a chance to even try the game.
Social media erupted with complaints, with fans labeling the beta a "gigantic fumble" and expressing concern about the game’s stability so close to launch. Some questioned whether Gears of War was ready for its PlayStation debut at all.
The Coalition Responds: New Dates, New Content
Responding to the outcry, The Coalition took to the official Gears of War Twitter account to acknowledge fan frustrations and outline a new beta plan aimed at redemption.
We heard you.
— Gears of War (@GearsofWar) June 18, 2025
More maps. More modes. More time.
This weekend’s Multiplayer Beta has been extended and Execution will now be playable along with KOTH. pic.twitter.com/KRM0viG5VU
GEARS OF WAR: RELOADED Open Beta Weekends Announced For PS5, Xbox, And PC
Key changes to the second beta include:
Extended Duration: The next beta will run from June 20 at 12PM PDT to June 22 at 9PM PDT, giving fans nearly the entire weekend to participate.
Expanded Content: In addition to the previously available King of the Hill (KOTH) mode, players will now be able to try Execution mode—a fan-favorite from earlier entries in the series.
New Map Added: A new battlefield called Canals will be accessible, offering more variety and nostalgia for longtime Gears fans.
While The Coalition hasn’t explicitly confirmed whether the connection issues have been resolved, the tone of the update and the beta’s expanded scope suggests the team is hoping to win back disappointed players.
Can Gears of War Reloaded Win Back Fans Before Launch?
With Gears of War Reloaded’s full release just two months away, the second beta may be the last major opportunity for the studio to restore confidence. For PlayStation users especially many of whom are experiencing the Gears franchise for the first time this weekend is critical in shaping early impressions.
The return of classic modes, new maps, and a longer test window are welcome improvements, but fans will be watching closely to see if the servers can actually handle the load this time. If not, Reloaded risks launching under a cloud of skepticism, no matter how good the core game might be.
For now, players will have their fingers crossed that this weekend’s beta lives up to the Gears of War legacy and delivers the brutal, satisfying multiplayer the series is known for.
