Gears of War: E-Day Beta Shatters Steam Records While Straining Top-Tier Hardware

Key points

• SteamDB data shows the beta reached a 24-hour peak of 14,331 concurrent users, surpassing previous Gears of War titles on the platform.
• Benchmarks at 4K 'Ludicrous' settings show an RTX 5090 achieving only 44.5 FPS average with FSR upscaling, indicating high CPU and GPU load.
• The game utilizes Unreal Engine 5 with Nanite and Lumen, featuring dynamic lighting, volumetric fog, and destructible environments.
• VRAM consumption is relatively modest, using only 9.5 GB at 4K, but system RAM usage exceeds 17 GB, requiring 32 GB of system memory for optimal performance.
• The beta includes Team Deathmatch, King of the Hill, and Execution modes, with PvP added late due to fan demand.

Background

Gears of War: E-Day is a prequel to the original trilogy, developed by The Coalition and published by Xbox Game Studios. Previous coverage noted the game's shift to a darker, more claustrophobic aesthetic compared to later installments. The beta serves to test network infrastructure and weapon balance ahead of the full release on October 6 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. Earlier reports highlighted the introduction of a 'Ludicrous' graphics preset and a revamped Horde Siege mode inspired by Helldivers 2.

How outlets are covering it

GameGPU provides detailed technical benchmarks, highlighting the game's reliance on Unreal Engine 5 features like Nanite and Lumen, and noting that the 'Ludicrous' preset is designed for flagship hardware. ExtremeTech emphasizes the surprising CPU-bound nature of the game at 4K, noting that even the fastest CPUs struggle to keep up with the GPU, and points out that frame generation will be crucial for higher refresh rates. Eurogamer focuses on the commercial success of the beta, noting the record-breaking player count on Steam and the late addition of PvP modes due to fan demand, while acknowledging that previous Steam records may be inflated by platform differences.

Why it matters

The performance data suggests that Gears of War: E-Day will be a significant benchmark for high-end PC hardware in 2026, potentially influencing consumer upgrade decisions. The record-breaking player count indicates strong market interest in the franchise's return, despite the technical demands. The game's success in the beta phase may impact sales projections for the full release and influence future hardware optimization strategies by developers.

What to watch

The open beta will continue to gather telemetry and feedback before the full release on October 6. Pre-order customers have early access starting October 1. Developers are expected to release optimized drivers and patches to improve performance, particularly for the 'Ludicrous' settings. The game's performance in the beta will likely influence marketing strategies and hardware recommendations for the full release.