Highlights
- Gears of War: E-Day launches in October 2026, with day-one Game Pass access.
- Pre-orders unlock the Aug 6 to 10 Open Beta and exclusive in-game rewards.
- Xbox has revealed four editions alongside new Horde Siege multiplayer details.
Xbox and The Coalition have opened pre-orders for Gears of War: E-Day. The announcement also confirms the game's edition lineup, pre-order rewards, and multiplayer Open Beta schedule ahead of launch.
The prequel arrives on Oct 6, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, Steam, PC, supported handhelds, and Xbox Cloud Gaming. It will also be available on day one through Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
Players who pre-order any edition, or have an eligible Game Pass subscription, can join the open beta from Aug 6 to Aug 10. Pre-orders also include the Exfil Dom Legendary Character Skin for Horde Siege and Versus, plus the Exfil Legendary Weapon Skin Set.
Meanwhile, digital buyers receive the content automatically. Physical copies include redemption codes through participating retailers.
Gears of War: E-Day Editions and Pricing
Xbox has announced four purchase options:
Outlook Respawn
Horde Siege Headlines the Multiplayer Offering
Gears of War: E-Day is set 14 years before the original game. It follows Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago during the first Locust invasion. The campaign supports solo play, two-player split-screen on consoles, and online co-op for up to four players.
Multiplayer introduces Horde Siege, a larger-scale evolution of the franchise's co-op survival mode. It features class-based gameplay, world bosses, shared objectives, and progression. Competitive 4v4 Versus also returns with new maps and updated movement.
Built in Unreal Engine 5 (UE5), the game supports 4K resolution, HDR, and up to 60 frames per second (FPS) on compatible hardware. It also supports Xbox Play Anywhere, allowing players to buy the game once and access it on both Xbox consoles and PC.
With pre-orders now live and the August Open Beta approaching, Gears of War: E-Day is set to give players their first hands-on look at the franchise's return before its October launch.
