About Gears of War E-Day
Gears of War E-Day is a third-person shooter prequel developed by The Coalition and published by Xbox Game Studios. It is set 14 years before the original Gears of War and tells the story of Emergence Day — the day the Locust Horde erupted from beneath Sera and humanity lost everything.
You play as a young Marcus Fenix fighting alongside his best friend Dom Santiago during humanity's darkest hour. Built on Unreal Engine 5, it is described by the developers as the most technically ambitious Gears game ever made.
Quick Facts
| Developer | The Coalition |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Xbox Game Studios |
| Release Date | October 7, 2026 |
| Platforms | Xbox Series X|S, PC (Windows) |
| Game Pass | Day-one on Xbox & PC Game Pass |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 5 |
| Genre | Third-person shooter |
| Setting | Emergence Day, 14 years before Gears 1 |
| PC Features | NVIDIA DLSS support |
Top Guides
Release Date, Price & Platforms
When E-Day launches, which platforms, Game Pass availability and what we know about editions.
Read guide →Multiplayer Beta Guide
Beta opened Aug 6 — who can play, how to join, what modes and what rewards carry over.
Read guide →Horde Mode Guide
Classic Gears co-op survival reimagined on larger maps. Waves, classes and strategy.
Read guide →Story & Timeline
The complete Emergence Day story — what E-Day is, why it matters, and how it connects to Gears 1.
Read guide →PC System Requirements
Official PC specs are not announced yet — here's everything we know so far (DLSS confirmed).
Read guide →Latest News
E-Day multiplayer beta is live — the beta opened Aug 6 for pre-order customers and PC Game Pass subscribers, featuring Horde mode and PvP. More news →
Beta breaks series records — player numbers during the E-Day multiplayer beta reportedly surpassed every previous Gears multiplayer beta.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Gears of War E-Day come out?
E-Day launches on October 7, 2026 for Xbox Series X|S and PC (Windows), confirmed via official NVIDIA coverage of the game.
Is Gears of War E-Day on Game Pass?
Yes — E-Day is a day-one Game Pass title on both Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass. PC Game Pass subscribers also got early access to the multiplayer beta on Aug 6, 2026.
What is E-Day in Gears of War?
E-Day stands for Emergence Day — the day the Locust Horde burst out from beneath the planet of Sera, slaughtering billions and marking the start of the Locust War. The game is set on that very day.
Do I need to play other Gears games first?
No. E-Day is a prequel set 14 years before Gears of War (2006). It is designed as an entry point, though longtime fans will recognize the origins of Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago.
Is there a multiplayer beta?
Yes — the multiplayer beta opened August 6, 2026 for pre-order customers and PC Game Pass subscribers, and includes Horde mode and PvP multiplayer.
Is E-Day coming to Steam or PS5?
E-Day is an Xbox first-party title — it releases on Xbox Series X|S and PC via Xbox / Game Pass. There is no PlayStation version announced.