← all stories
Gears
4d ago
Microsoft unveiled the story trailer for Gears of War: E-Day during the gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 stream, which aired on August 26 Japan time. The trailer shows the first appearance of the Locust as they emerge from beneath the planet's surface and begin their invasion of humanity. The game is a prequel set 14 years before the original Gears of War, which released in 2006, and depicts the catastrophe known as Emergence Day (E-Day) on the planet Sera. Players follow a young Marcus Fenix and his partner Dominic Santiago as they experience the terror humanity faced when the Locust suddenly appeared. The Coalition is developing the title, and it is scheduled for release on October 6, 2026, for PC via Steam and Microsoft Store, and Xbox Series X|S. The trailer footage also shows creatures carrying weapons across their bodies and scenes of confronting giant spider-like enemies. A playable demo was available at the Xbox booth on the gamescom show floor in Cologne, Germany.
Aug 15
Microsoft will release the Gears of War: E-Day Limited Edition Xbox Wireless Controller on September 30, 2026, priced at 13,200 yen. Pre-orders are open. The design features the Crimson Omen, red glowing cracks from Emergence Holes, and COG tags. It supports Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10/11 PC, Android, and iOS.
Aug 11
SUPER AC announced the PC tactical RPG COVENANT OF GEARS The Three Musketeers on August 10, 2026. Set in a steampunk 17th-century France, the game follows D'Artagnan, Athos, Porthos, and Aramis through a war-torn Europe. Early access on Steam begins in Q4 2027, with a campaign editor and Steam Workshop support.
Aug 5
Xbox Game Studios released an FAQ on August 4, 2026, for the open beta test of 'Gears of War: E-Day', developed by The Coalition and scheduled for release on October 7. The open beta runs in two sessions: August 6-10 for early access and August 13-17 for the general public. The first session is limited to players who pre-ordered the game or subscribe to Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass. During early access, players can only play the PvE 'Horde Siege' mode, which supports up to 12 players across three squads of four. Players choose from four classes: Assault, Breacher, Marksman, or Medic. The objective is to defend a city from enemy invasion. The second session adds an evolved 4v4 PvP mode. The FAQ also notes that the open beta includes only one Horde Siege map, while the product version will feature three. Other differences, such as level caps and the number of versus modes and maps, are detailed in the FAQ. PC minimum and recommended specs for the beta were also released. 'Gears of War: E-Day' launches on October 7 for PC via Microsoft Store and Steam, and Xbox Series X|S, with Game Pass availability.
Aug 5
Microsoft plans to make Xbox 360 titles playable on its next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix, as well as on Xbox PC and handheld devices, according to a document The Verge says it confirmed. The rollout is expected to happen in stages from 2027 to 2028. Developers can choose whether to enable backward compatibility for their titles and decide pricing and Game Pass availability. The document also outlines a Disc to Digital system for Xbox One and Xbox Series S, where inserting a physical disc into a compatible console grants a digital license tied to the disc and user account. That license carries across compatible Xbox devices, but if the disc is sold or transferred, the original owner loses access. The Disc to Digital beta was scheduled for July 2026, with general availability in August, but the beta has been delayed, so the August date is uncertain. In July 2026, Microsoft began backward compatibility for original Xbox titles on PC and PC-based handhelds like the ROG XBOX Ally, starting with four titles including Blinx: The Time Sweeper. The full PC backward compatibility release is planned for October 2026.
Aug 5
Xbox Game Studios released a video on July 30 detailing the multiplayer modes for Gears of War: E-Day, the latest entry in the cover-based TPS series developed by The Coalition. The game launches October 7 on Xbox Series X|S and Steam, priced at 9,800 yen for the standard edition and 14,000 yen for the premium edition, and is included with Game Pass. The video introduces Horde Siege, a PvE mode that scales up to 12 players across three squads of four, and Versus, a 4v4 PvP mode. Horde Siege features four classes: Assault, Marksman, Breacher, and Medic, each with unlockable upgrades up to level 30. Players choose from three session lengths and four difficulty levels. Sub-missions offer optional objectives that grant buffs or weapon parts. Versus includes four modes at launch: Team Deathmatch, Conquest, Demolition, and Crucible. The beta begins with early access for pre-orderers and Game Pass subscribers from August 6 to 10, followed by an open beta from August 13 to 17. The story is set 14 years before the original Gears of War, on the planet Sera.
Jun 10
The Coalition revealed new details for "Gears of War: E-Day" during Summer Game Fest 2026, confirming the prequel is developed entirely from scratch on Unreal Engine 5 with zero asset reuse. The title marks a return to the series' original name, dropping the abbreviated "Gears" branding used in "Gears 5." Studio Brand Director Nicole Fawcette said the change reflects a return to the series' roots as a military drama. Set 14 years before the first "Gears of War," the campaign spans 72 hours starting from Emergence Day, depicting humanity's first encounter with the Locust. The story follows Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago alongside two new squad members: former COG veteran Mags Carter and rookie officer candidate Lucas Reyes. Gameplay introduces verticality with climbing mechanics, expanded cover systems, and a wider camera angle. The campaign is expected to be the longest in the series at over 14 hours. A new 12-player PvE mode called "Horde Siege" was announced, with a beta test scheduled for August. The game is an Xbox Series X|S and PC exclusive following a policy shift by new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma. Release is set for October 6, 2026.
Jun 8
Matt Booty, CCO of Xbox, said during a radio appearance that the decision to make games console exclusives is made case by case. The comment follows the Xbox Games Showcase, where major titles including the new Gears entry, Gears of War: E-Day, and Clockwork Revolution were announced as Xbox console exclusives. Booty stated that large multiplayer and live service games will continue to release on multiple platforms, and that once a release date is announced, the platforms are set.
Jun 7
Microsoft announced during the Xbox Games Showcase 2026 on June 8 that Gears of War: E-Day, the latest installment in the series developed by The Coalition, will launch on October 6, 2026. A new gameplay trailer accompanied the announcement, showing combat against the Locust horde in a collapsing city. The game is a prequel set 14 years before the original Gears of War, depicting the events of Emergence Day (E-Day), when the Locust first emerged from underground and killed 25% of humanity. Players control a young Marcus Fenix, returning home as a war hero, alongside Dom Santiago. The trailer also featured the series' signature chainsaw bayonet. The game will be available on PC via Steam and Microsoft Store, as well as Xbox Series X|S, and will be included in Xbox Game Pass from day one. Multiple sources describe it as an Xbox console exclusive.