Gamescom is kicking off this week in Germany, which means we are going to be getting lots of news about your favorite franchises. Like EA and DICE announcing the open beta for Battlefield 1 will begin on August 31.

The beta introduce players to the Sinai Desert map, "a scorching hot battlefield located just East of El-Jifar. From infantry skirmishes in the narrow streets of the village of Bir el Mazar to dogfights above the majestic cliffs, you’ll need to make tactical use of the dunes as you engage in explosive battles. When all hope is lost, reinforcements will arrive in the shape of a powerful Behemoth: a deadly Armored Train charging through the desert sands." 

It will include two game modes: Conquest for up to 64 players fighting to control key points on the map, and Rush, a 24-player mode where the attacking force must find and destroy the defending force's telegraph posts, which can be used to call in artillery strikes. The beta offers ridable horses and three new elite classes – Sentry, Flame Trooper and Tank Hunter.

PS4, Xbox One and Origin PC players be eligible for the beta, with Insider members getting early access. Sign up before August 21 to be eligible, and let EA know your platform preference.

EA is also pushing its Play First Trial, which will allow Xbox One and PC players withe EA or Origin Access to start playing the game on October 13, eight days before the scheduled October 21 release date. Pre-ordering an Early Enlister Deluxe Edition will let players start playing three days early on October 18.