Xbox fans, mark your calendars for October 6. During the latest Xbox Games Showcase, Gears of War: E-Day was officially given its release date, and if that announcement got you excited about reuniting with Marcus and Dom, what's even better is preorders are officially live.
Of course, this Xbox exclusive will be available on Game Pass, but for those who aren't part of Xbox's subscription service, there are three editions available to preorder: the Standard Edition, Premium Edition, and the Collector's Edition.
Below, we've broken down each of their prices and what they come with, so you can preorder your preferred version ahead of its release date.
Gears of War: E-Day – Standard Edition
Physical:
- See at Amazon – $69.99
- See at Best Buy – $69.99
- See at GameStop – $69.99
- See at Walmart – $69
Digital
- See at Best Buy – $69.99
- See at Xbox – $69.99
PC
- See at Steam – $69.99
The Standard Edition of Gears of War: E-Day – which is available in both a physical and digital format – is listed for $69.99.
Alongside the main game, ordering early also sets you up with a preorder bonus of a character skin, weapon skin, and early access to the Gears of War: E-Day Open Beta, which we've broken down in further detail below.
Gears of War: E-Day – Premium Edition (Digital)
Digital
- See at Best Buy – $99.99
- See at Xbox – $99.99
PC
- See at Steam – $99.99
Premium Edition Upgrade
- See at Xbox – $30
The Premium Edition of Gears of War: E-Day, which is digital only, is available for $99.99 and is absolutely stacked with extras. There's also a Premium Edition Upgrade you can get, to add the Premium Edition extras to a standard copy, which costs $30.
Here's everything it comes with:
- Gears of War: E-Day Premium Digital Edition
- Play 5 Days Early (October 1, 2026)
- Emergence Customization Pack:
- Death’s Rendezvous Marcus Fenix Legendary Character Skin
- Bloodied Hunter Tai Kaliso Epic Character Skin
- “Death’s Rendezvous” Legendary Character Pose
- “We must improvise” Legendary Character Pose
- “Death’s Rendezvous” Legendary Weapon Skin Set
- “Emergence Omen” Rare Weapon Skin Set
- “Emergence Omen” Banner and Emblem
- “Death’s Rendezvous” Icon
- 4 Additional Seasonal Customization Packs
- 1,000 Iron (Premium In-Game Currency)
- Bravo Squad Signature Weapon Pack (for use in campaign only)
Gears of War: E-Day – Collector’s Edition
- See at Xbox Game Studios Shop – $299.99
If you really want to go big with your Gears of War: E-Day purchase, there's also the colossal Collector’s Edition. Priced at $299.99, it's full of exciting extras for fans to enjoy.
Alongside everything in the Premium Edition, including the 5-day early access, here's what else it comes with:
- 15-inch collectible diorama statue of Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago (requires 3 AAA batteries, not included)
- 1:1 scale replica of Carlos Santiago’s COG tags made of metal zinc alloy and brass
- In-game photo
- Art Print
- Thank-You Note from The Coalition
- Luke Preece designed Custom SteelBook Case
- Collector’s Display Packaging
- Gears of War: E-Day base game (Xbox customers will receive a physical disc, Steam customers will receive a digital code)
This Collector's Edition is available for both Xbox Series X and Steam customers. According to the Gears of War website, "The XBOX Series X version includes a physical disc. Steam customers will receive a digital token."
Gears of War: E-Day Preorder Bonus
No matter which edition you decide to preorder, you'll get a couple of legendary skins alongside early access to the Open Beta. In terms of the former, the skins you'll get are:
- Exfil Dom Legendary Character Skin
- Exfil Legendary Weapon Skin Set
According to the Gears of War website, "Character skin is only applicable to the Dominic Santiago character in Horde Siege and Versus. The weapon skin set is applicable to all eligible weapons in Horde Siege and Versus."
They also note that, "Players who digitally pre-order Gears of War: E-Day are automatically granted access to the Legendary Exfil Dom Character Skin and Legendary Exfil Weapon Skin Set and will not receive a code." While those who preorder a physical edition, "may receive codes to redeem via an email or printed receipt when you receive the game at launch." This depends on region and retailer.
The Open Beta is the other part of this preorder bonus. This begins on August 6, and their website notes that "Exact Beta timing and availability details will be announced soon."
As far as Beta Codes go, the Gears website also says that, "Players who digitally pre-order Gears of War: E-Day are automatically granted Early Access to the Open Beta and do not require a Beta Code. Players who pre-order a physical edition should expect to receive a Beta Code at the point of sale from participating retailers, granting entry into Open Beta for Early Access."
What Is Gears of War: E-Day?
Gears of War E-Day is the latest game in the Gears franchise, but it's not a sequel. Oh no, we're heading back to where it all began: Emergence Day.
This origin story brings back Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago, with Studio Creative Director Matt Searcy saying in an interview with Xbox Wire, "We never leave Bravo Squad for the entire game. The entire story is told from their perspective. Even though there’s an event going on all over the world, we never jump anywhere else. You only see what they see and learn what they learn."
Unfortunately for PS5 owners, Gears of War: E-Day is also an Xbox console exclusive. If you can't wait to play, get a preorder in so you're ready for October 6.
Other Preorder Guides
Hannah Hoolihan is a freelancer who writes with the guides and commerce teams here at IGN.
