COSM-GAME Gears of War: E-Day
Gears of War: E-Day is a premium third-person cover-shooter developed by The Coalition and People Can Fly, and published by Xbox Game Studios. Players control young COG veterans Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago as they fight to survive the first Locust Horde invasion during Emergence Day, fourteen years before the original Gears of War. Progression centers on a gripping origin-story campaign through the collapsing city of Kalona, alongside cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes. Its defining gameplay centers on rebuilt cover-based combat with modernized movement, traversal, and verticality, enhanced by Unreal Engine 5's real-time destruction and MegaLights lighting system.
Game summary
On this page
Latest update
The Open Beta ran from August 6 to August 17, 2026, with early access for pre-order customers and Game Pass Ultimate members. The beta featured Horde Siege and Versus multiplayer modes across multiple maps. Post-beta, The Coalition implemented fixes for hit detection delays, connection timeouts, matchmaking improvements, anti-cheat enforcement, and third-party controller support on Steam. The game is scheduled for global release on October 6, 2026, with Premium Edition owners gaining up to 5 days early access starting October 1.
Release date and status
Gears of War: E-Day launches on October 6, 2026 for Xbox Series X/S and PC (Steam, Xbox on PC). It is the sixth main installment in the series and the first built entirely from scratch in Unreal Engine 5 without reusing old assets or animations. The game was revealed at the Xbox Games Showcase 2024 and had its full gameplay reveal at the Xbox Games Showcase 2026. It is available day one on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Premium Edition owners receive up to 5 days early access beginning October 1, 2026.
| Global release | Oct 6, 2026 |
| Original launch platforms | |
| Global status | Released |
| Pricing model | Premium |
| Availability | SteamXbox StoreXbox Game Pass UltimateXbox Game Pass PCWorldwide |
Platforms and availability
The game is available on Xbox Series X/S and PC (Steam, Xbox on PC app). There is no PlayStation or Nintendo Switch version. Xbox Play Anywhere allows a single purchase across Xbox Series X/S and PC via the Microsoft Store. The game is included day one with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Online multiplayer requires a Game Pass subscription that includes online multiplayer. Two-player split-screen is available on console only. The game supports 4K resolution and up to 60 FPS on compatible hardware.
Gameplay and setting
Set fourteen years before the original Gears of War, the campaign follows young Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago as they fight through the chaos of Emergence Day in the city of Kalona. The Locust Horde erupts from beneath the planet Sera, and Bravo Squad, including Mags Carter and Lucas Reyes, must survive the invasion. The campaign is approximately 14 hours long with more collectibles than any previous Gears campaign, including classic COG Tags. Combat retains the signature cover-based feel while adding modernized movement including jump, vault, slide, and flank mechanics. Horde Siege is an evolved PvE wave survival mode for up to four players with class-based roles: Assault, Marksman, Medic, and Breacher. Multiple squads can team up for shared objectives and world bosses. Versus returns with refined 4v4 PvP across new and fan-favorite maps, with Ranked and Social playlists. An enhanced gore system features dismemberment, and real-time destruction includes structural collapses and sinkholes.
Trailer, screenshots, and media
The selected media includes the official gameplay reveal trailer, announce trailer, multiplayer reveal, and multiplayer gameplay trailer. Screenshots and promotional images depict the E-Day key art with Marcus and Dom, Premium Edition content comparison, pre-order bonus Exfil Dom skin, and Open Beta promotional artwork.
Developer and publisher
Gears of War: E-Day is developed by The Coalition and People Can Fly, and published by Xbox Game Studios. The Coalition, based in Vancouver, Canada, previously developed Gears of War 4 and Gears 5. People Can Fly, based in Poland, co-developed the original Gears of War trilogy and led development on Gears of War: Judgment. The game is directed by Matt Searcy with creative direction comparing the narrative to Band of Brothers and Saving Private Ryan. John DiMaggio and Carlos Ferro reprise their roles as Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago. No generative AI was used in creating the game.
| Developer | The Coalition |
| Publisher | Xbox Game Studios |
| Official website | Gears of War: E-Day |
Download and availability
The game can be pre-ordered digitally through the Xbox Store, Steam, and the Xbox on PC app. Physical Standard and Collector's Editions are available for Xbox Series X. The game is included day one with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Xbox Play Anywhere allows a single digital purchase across Xbox Series X/S and PC via the Microsoft Store. Steam purchases do not support Xbox Play Anywhere.
System / Device Requirements
| PC specification | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit 22H2 (19045.7291) | Windows 11 64-bit (25H2 or newer) |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 2600X / Intel Core i7-6850K / Intel Core i5-10400 | AMD Ryzen 5 5600 / Intel Core i5-11600K |
| RAM | 12 GB | 16 GB |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 / AMD Radeon RX 6600 / Intel Arc A580 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti / AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT / Intel Arc B580 |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Version 12 |
| Network | Broadband internet connection | Broadband internet connection |
| Storage | 130 GB available space (SSD required) | 130 GB available space (SSD required) |
| Sound Card | Windows compatible audio device | Windows compatible audio device |
| Additional Notes | HDDs are not supported and may cause severe loading issues, missing assets, stuttering, and crashes. Minimum NVIDIA driver: 610.74. Minimum AMD driver: 26.7.1. Minimum Intel driver: 101.8864. | HDDs are not supported. Supports NVIDIA DLSS 4.5, AMD FSR Redstone, optional Frame Generation and Multi Frame Generation. Ultrawide support (21:9 and 32:9). HDR10. Hardware ray-traced lighting, reflections, and shadows. |
| Xbox Series X/S specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Supported hardware | Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S |
| Resolution / frame rate | 4K at up to 60 FPS (Xbox Series X); 1440p at up to 60 FPS (Xbox Series S) |
| Install size | Approximately 130 GB |
| Special features | Smart Delivery, Quick Resume, 2-player split-screen, 4K and 60 FPS require compatible display, HDR10 |
| Online requirements | Game Pass subscription required for online multiplayer |
- Value
- Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Value
- 4K at up to 60 FPS (Xbox Series X); 1440p at up to 60 FPS (Xbox Series S)
- Value
- Approximately 130 GB
- Value
- Smart Delivery, Quick Resume, 2-player split-screen, 4K and 60 FPS require compatible display, HDR10
- Value
- Game Pass subscription required for online multiplayer