Gears of War: E-Day Release Date, Platforms & Early Access

Gears of War: E-Day is the prequel that takes the series back to Emergence Day itself — the moment the Locust Horde erupted beneath Sera and destroyed the city of Kalona. Below is every confirmed date, platform, and access path so you know exactly when you can play.

When is the Gears of War: E-Day release date?

Gears of War: E-Day launches October 6, 2026. The game has already gone gold, and pre-install opens September 29 on Xbox and PC so you can be playing the moment it unlocks.

What platforms is E-Day on?

E-Day is confirmed for Xbox Series X|S and PC — through Steam, the Microsoft Store (Xbox on PC), and Xbox Cloud Gaming via Game Pass. It supports Xbox Play Anywhere (one purchase covers console and PC) and is optimized for handhelds including Steam Deck and Xbox Ally. No PlayStation or Switch version has been announced.

How do you play early?

Two doors open before launch day:

• Premium Edition or Premium Upgrade — five-day early access starting October 1. The $29.99 Premium Upgrade gives Game Pass and Standard owners the same head start. See the editions and pre-order bonuses guide for the full breakdown.
• Preload from September 29 — the install is roughly 130 GB on PC, so preloading matters. Details in our preload and download size guide.

Is E-Day on Game Pass?

Yes — E-Day is day one on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, including cloud play. Game Pass members can still buy the Premium Upgrade for early access and the bonus packs. The full comparison is in our Game Pass and early access guide.

What is E-Day about?

A prequel set fourteen years before the original Gears of War, E-Day puts you in the boots of a young Marcus Fenix alongside Dom Santiago on Emergence Day — the surprise Locust assault that wiped out a quarter of humanity in a single night. The campaign runs across three desperate days in the falling city of Kalona. Our campaign overview covers everything confirmed so far.