Gears of War E-Day Game Pass access starts on October 6, 2026, with the full game included on day one for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members. Xbox has confirmed the same date for the standard launch on Xbox Series X|S and PC.
This is separate from the August multiplayer beta that Game Pass members could already access. October 6 is the release of the complete game, including the campaign, Horde Siege and Versus content. Premium Edition buyers can begin earlier, but that paid early access is not automatically part of the normal Game Pass entitlement.
Gears of War E-Day Game Pass release date
Gears of War E-Day Game Pass goes live with the game on October 6. Xbox describes it as a day-one Game Pass release, so Ultimate and PC Game Pass members do not have to wait for the title to be added later.
The campaign is set 14 years before the original Gears of War and follows Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago during the first Locust attack. It can be played solo, in two-player split-screen on console, or online with up to four players.
Which Game Pass plan includes Gears E-Day?
Gears of War E-Day Game Pass access is confirmed for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. The official Xbox FAQ names both plans and does not present every subscription tier as a launch option.
Ultimate is the relevant plan for Xbox console access, while PC Game Pass is the dedicated PC option. If Microsoft changes its tier structure or adds the game to another plan later, the live Xbox store page will show the current entitlement.
Does Game Pass include the Premium Edition?
Gears of War E-Day Game Pass includes the base game, not the full Premium Edition package. The paid Premium Edition adds up to five days of early access, the Bravo Squad Signature Weapon Pack, five Seasonal Customization Packs and 1,000 Iron.
Xbox also sells a Premium Edition upgrade for players who already have access to the base game. That can matter for Game Pass users who want the extra content or the early-access window without buying the Standard Edition outright.
Can Game Pass members play before October 6?
The standard Gears of War E-Day Game Pass release is October 6. Premium Edition early access can begin up to five days earlier, on October 1, but Xbox treats that as a Premium Edition benefit rather than part of the normal Game Pass launch.
The earlier August beta should not be confused with the finished game. That test focused on multiplayer, including Horde Siege and Versus. Progress from a beta period is not the same thing as owning or unlocking the full October release.
What platforms are included?
Gears of War E-Day Game Pass is listed for Xbox Series X|S, PC and cloud through Microsoft’s current Game Pass announcement. The game also supports Xbox Play Anywhere for eligible digital access across Xbox and Windows PC.
The Steam release is separate from the Game Pass entitlement. If you want to play through the subscription, use the Xbox ecosystem rather than assuming a Steam installation will automatically recognise Game Pass ownership.
Is online multiplayer included?
The game includes online campaign co-op, Horde Siege and Versus multiplayer, but online console multiplayer requires a subscription plan that includes online multiplayer. That is another reason the exact Game Pass tier matters if you are playing on Xbox hardware.
For players mainly interested in the campaign, Gears of War E-Day Game Pass is still a complete day-one route into the game. You are not receiving a cut-down trial or multiplayer-only version.
Gears of War E-Day Game Pass is most useful to check against the live store listing if your plan, device or region differs from the standard setup described above.
Official Gears and Xbox information
The current release and subscription details are available through the official Xbox website and the official Gears channels. Check the live store listing close to launch if you are relying on a specific Game Pass plan.
