20 Years of Gears

Summary

• Gears of War celebrates 20 years with a special anniversary event in Gears of War: E-Day, honoring two decades of brotherhood, community, and unforgettable memories.
• Jump into limited-time Versus and Horde modes, unlock new rewards, claim RAAM as a free multiplayer character.
• Get ready for Season 2: Legacy, bringing fan-favorite maps, modes, and character skins back to the battlefield. Season 2 arrives December 1.

It’s hard to believe that 20 years ago, Gears of War launched on XBOX 360 and introduced the world to Marcus Fenix, Dominic Santiago, and the genius of putting a chainsaw on a gun.

Since then, a lot has happened.

We’ve released new games, introduced new characters and enemies, and welcomed millions of players into the world of Gears. But when we think about what makes this franchise special, it’s not just the games or the stories we’ve told. It’s the people who have made Gears of War part of their lives.

Over the years, we’ve heard some incredible stories from our fans. Stories of friendships that started in multiplayer lobbies and have lasted for decades. Of campaign playthroughs with fathers or brothers, or groups of friends who made playing Horde together a weekly tradition. Soldiers that have played during military deployments and couples who met playing Gears, fell in love, and eventually got married. Not bad for a game about chainsawing monsters.

And then there are the stories that hit a little harder. Fans who have shared how Gears helped them through a dark and difficult time, whether it was dealing with loss, feeling isolated, or just needing a few hours with Delta Squad to forget about everything else going on in their lives. Sometimes a familiar game and a few friends on the other end of a headset can make a real difference.

For us at The Coalition, these are the stories that matter most.

We’ve always talked about Gears being a franchise built on brotherhood, loyalty, and having each other’s backs. It’s what makes the relationship between Marcus, Dom and the rest of the Gears so important, and it’s been at the heart of the series since the beginning.

But what’s really special is seeing those same values reflected in the community that’s grown around the games. The friendships, the relationships, the shared experiences, and the sense of belonging that comes from finding your people.

It’s an incredible privilege to steward this franchise, to build on the legacy of the creators at EPIC Games, the voice actors and all the creative collaborators who have had a hand in this universe. And to create games that people care so deeply about.

Thank you for making Gears part of your lives, and for letting us be a small part of yours.

Never Fight Alone.

A Special Birthday Gift

To celebrate our 20^th Anniversary, this week we kicked off a 2-week anniversary event in Gears of War: E-Day featuring limited time modes and new rewards. In Versus, play Guardian, where only one leader makes it out alive. And in Horde Siege, try out the For the Queen mode, where the supply cache is disabled, leaving you and the squad to rely on your loadouts.

Tomorrow is the exact date of our anniversary and to celebrate we’re giving away RAAM as a multiplayer character to every Gears of War: E-Day player as a free gift. Just login to claim him instantly.

And beginning December 1, we launch our next Season – titled Legacy – which continues to honor the greatest hits of Gears over 20 years in our maps, modes and multiplayer skins. Season 2 not only brings back some fan favorites from the history of the franchise but lets us reimagine characters in ways we’ve always wanted to see them – like Solemn Memories Dom, whose character skin depicts him in the suit he’s wearing in the famous photo of him and Maria from Gears of War 2.

Gears of War: E-Day Premium Edition

☆☆☆☆☆5811
★★★★★
$99.99
Get it now
Emergence Begins

The Gears of War: E-Day Premium Edition Includes:

– Base Game
– Bravo Squad Signature Weapon Pack
– Five Seasonal Customization Packs, starting with the Emergence Pack at launch (the remaining packs will be available as released)
– 1,000 Iron (premium in-game currency)

Experience the horror and brutality of Emergence Day. Fourteen years before the original Gears of War, join Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago in a gripping origin-story campaign as the Locust Horde first erupt from below, igniting a desperate fight for survival. Rally your squad and fight on in multiplayer with a reimagination of Gears’ iconic PvE mode, Horde Siege, or go head-to-head with a refined Versus PvP.* Built from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5, Gears of War: E-Day delivers the most immersive Gears yet.

The Story of E-Day

Fight through the chaos of Emergence Day in a gripping origin story campaign.

Battle alone, side by side in two-player split-screen, or rally up to four players online across Campaign, Horde Siege, and Versus.*

Horde Siege PvE – Back and Bigger Than Ever

Survive a city under siege in an evolved take on Gears’ iconic co-op wave survival mode built for larger maps, more players, and bigger battles.

Choose your class – Assault, Marksman, Medic, or Breacher – then drop in as a 4-player squad to fight back the Locust.

Team up with multiple squads to conquer shared objectives and take down world bosses. Survive to earn rewards, unlock customization and improve your loadout for the next match.

Versus Returns – Refined and Focused PvP

Battle across all-new maps and refined fan-favorite 4v4 modes.

Choose your level of competition. Lock in and climb the ranks in Ranked or jump into Social playlists for a more relaxed match.

Modernized controls and movement make combat feel more fluid while retaining Gears’ signature cover-based feel. Jump, vault, slide, and flank with intent.

A Terrifying Threat from Below 

A darker, grittier tone and reimagined enemies restore fear and dread to the series.

Atmosphere and detail are pushed further than ever. The world feels more grounded, believable, and dangerous.

Familiar enemies are more threatening, joined by all-new creatures and villains that reestablish a true sense of horror.

Feels Like Gears. Plays Like New.

Iconic cover‑based combat returns, enhanced with modernized movement and traversal that add freedom and verticality.

Fan‑favorite weapons return and are reimagined, alongside all‑new weapons built for brutal, close‑quarters combat.

Rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5

A new technical foundation for Gears. Built for modern performance with 4K resolution and up to 60FPS across Campaign and Multiplayer.*

*Important Information

Online Multiplayer: Online campaign co-op, Horde Siege, Versus, Open Beta and other multiplayer features require a Game Pass subscription that includes online multiplayer, sold separately.

2-Player Split-Screen: is available for console only.

4K and 60FPS: require a compatible display.

Game requires initial download. May require future updates (additional storage may be required). All downloads and updates require significant storage and broadband internet connection (ISP fees apply). You must accept the Microsoft Services Agreement (microsoft.com/msa). May require additional hardware and subscriptions. Content, features, services, online play (if applicable), and support not available in all regions (xbox.com/regions) and may vary, change, or terminate. Microsoft Account required.

WARNING: Some people may experience a seizure when exposed to flashing lights or patterns in video games. (xbox.com/healthandsafety).

Gears of War: E-Day

☆☆☆☆☆5799
★★★★★
$69.99$62.99
Get it now
PC Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass
Emergence Begins

Experience the horror and brutality of Emergence Day. Fourteen years before the original Gears of War, join Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago in a gripping origin-story campaign as the Locust Horde first erupt from below, igniting a desperate fight for survival. Rally your squad and fight on in multiplayer with a reimagination of Gears’ iconic PvE mode, Horde Siege, or go head-to-head with a refined Versus PvP.* Built from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5, Gears of War: E-Day delivers the most immersive Gears yet.

The Story of E-Day

Fight through the chaos of Emergence Day in a gripping origin story campaign.

Battle alone, side by side in two-player split-screen, or rally up to four players online across Campaign, Horde Siege, and Versus.*

Horde Siege PvE – Back and Bigger Than Ever

Survive a city under siege in an evolved take on Gears’ iconic co-op wave survival mode built for larger maps, more players, and bigger battles.

Choose your class – Assault, Marksman, Medic, or Breacher – then drop in as a 4-player squad to fight back the Locust.

Team up with multiple squads to conquer shared objectives and take down world bosses. Survive to earn rewards, unlock customization and improve your loadout for the next match.

Versus Returns – Refined and Focused PvP

Battle across all-new maps and refined fan-favorite 4v4 modes.

Choose your level of competition. Lock in and climb the ranks in Ranked or jump into Social playlists for a more relaxed match.

Modernized controls and movement make combat feel more fluid while retaining Gears’ signature cover-based feel. Jump, vault, slide, and flank with intent.

A Terrifying Threat from Below 

A darker, grittier tone and reimagined enemies restore fear and dread to the series.

Atmosphere and detail are pushed further than ever. The world feels more grounded, believable, and dangerous.

Familiar enemies are more threatening, joined by all-new creatures and villains that reestablish a true sense of horror.

Feels Like Gears. Plays Like New.

Iconic cover‑based combat returns, enhanced with modernized movement and traversal that add freedom and verticality.

Fan‑favorite weapons return and are reimagined, alongside all‑new weapons built for brutal, close‑quarters combat.

Rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5

A new technical foundation for Gears. Built for modern performance with 4K resolution and up to 60FPS across Campaign and Multiplayer.*

*Important Information

Online Multiplayer: Online campaign co-op, Horde Siege, Versus and other multiplayer features require a Game Pass subscription that includes online multiplayer, sold separately.

2-Player Split-Screen: is available for console only.

4K and 60FPS: require a compatible display.

Game requires initial download. May require future updates (additional storage may be required). All downloads and updates require significant storage and broadband internet connection (ISP fees apply). You must accept the Microsoft Services Agreement (microsoft.com/msa). May require additional hardware and subscriptions. Content, features, services, online play (if applicable), and support not available in all regions (xbox.com/regions) and may vary, change, or terminate. Microsoft Account required.

WARNING: Some people may experience a seizure when exposed to flashing lights or patterns in video games. (xbox.com/healthandsafety).