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The new Gears of War: E-Day trailer deliberately echoes the 2006 “Mad World” commercial, but it is not a remake of that ad. It uses a new instrumental arrangement of the same Gary Jules cover to introduce a younger Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago during the first Locust attack on Sera, 14 years before the original game.
What the new “Mad World” trailer is about
Gears of War: E-Day goes back to Emergence Day, when the Locust first rose on Sera. The trailer follows younger Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago as their relationship begins amid the invasion. The Coalition’s Matt Searcy called E-Day “the heart of the Gears universe,” an event that shapes what follows in the series. Xbox Wire’s June 9, 2024 interview places the story 14 years before the first Gears of War.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Gears of War: E-Day | Standard Edition | XBOX Series X | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Gears of War E-Day | Premium Edition | XBOX Series X|S and Windows Digital | $99.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Gears of War 3 (Renewed) | Buy on Amazon | |
| 4 |
![Xbox One - Gears Of War 5 - [PAL EU - NO NTSC]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51duB8cYpdL._SL160_.jpg)
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Xbox One - Gears Of War 5 - [PAL EU - NO NTSC] | $16.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Gears of War 3 | $7.98 | Buy on Amazon |
How it connects to the 2006 commercial
The trailer is a deliberate conversation with the original “Mad World” advertisement: it revisits the somber mood and music while telling a different story. The 2006 commercial used Gary Jules’s cover of the Tears for Fears song. For E-Day, composer Adam Lastiwka created a new instrumental reimagining of that cover.
Nicole Fawcette of The Coalition said, “Re-licensing the music was just the beginning.” She described the original ad’s appeal as “heroism rooted in vulnerability, not invincibility.” That idea suits E-Day’s younger protagonists: the trailer presents Marcus and Dom before they are the hardened soldiers familiar from later games, with their bond still taking shape as the Locust threat emerges.
#1 Best Overall
- AN ORIGIN STORY BEGINS — Fight alongside Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago in the gripping origin story of Emergence Day, as the Locust Horde erupts from below.
- A DARKER, GRITTIER THREAT — Face reimagined enemies and a terrifying underground invasion that restores the fear, dread, and intensity at the heart of the Gears of War series.
- MULTIPLAYER EVOLVED — Battle in Horde Siege for large‑scale PvE action or prove your skill in refined Versus PvP with greater precision and competitive depth.
- CLASSIC COMBAT, MODERNIZED — Experience signature cover‑based gameplay enhanced with updated movement, traversal, and controls that feel like Gears while playing like something new.
- CO‑OP YOUR WAY — Play online with up to four players across Campaign, Horde Siege, and Versus, or team up locally with 2‑player split‑screen co‑op on console.
Original commercial and E-Day trailer compared
| Aspect | 2006 “Mad World” commercial | Gears of War: E-Day trailer |
|---|---|---|
| Story and timeline | Advertising for the original Gears of War; it is not an account of E-Day. | Emergence Day, 14 years before the original game, with younger Marcus and Dom. |
| Music | Gary Jules’s cover of “Mad World.” | A new instrumental reimagining of the Gary Jules cover by Adam Lastiwka. |
| Emotional focus | Somber imagery and vulnerable heroism. | The same melancholy register, applied to the start of Marcus and Dom’s relationship and the first Locust attack. |
| Presentation | Original-era in-engine footage. | In-engine footage using Unreal Engine 5. |
What the trailer says about E-Day’s technology
The footage is in-engine, and the trailer also serves as a technology showcase. Xbox Wire reports that E-Day uses Unreal Engine 5, with hardware ray-traced lighting and next-generation destruction and gore. Kate Rayner said it has “over 100 times more environment and character details than Gears 5.” That is The Coalition’s stated comparison, not an independently measured benchmark; it describes the developers’ claimed increase in detail.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where to revisit the original game
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition is the remastered Xbox One game associated with the original Gears of War. The researched franchise reference lists its Xbox release date as August 25, 2015. It is a direct way to revisit the game whose advertising helped establish the “Mad World” connection; current stock, price and edition availability vary by retailer and are not established here.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- This item does not work outside US. We cannot guarantee compatibility. You can contact the call center for more information on compatibility.
- Enthralling cinematic story. Experience the epic finale to the Gears of War trilogy
- Unparalleled gameplay
- One of the definitive multiplayer experiences on Xbox LIVE
- Gears of War 3 pushes the envelope for stunning visuals on Xbox 360
Rank #3
- Disc only. Original case and manual not included. Will come packaged in a generic case.
- This renewed game has been cleaned, tested, and shows minimal wear.
Rank #2
- PREMIUM EDITION — Includes Bravo Squad Signature Weapon Pack, five Seasonal Customization Packs starting with the Emergence Pack, plus 1,000 Iron to unlock additional in‑game content.
- AN ORIGIN STORY BEGINS — Fight alongside Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago in the gripping origin story of Emergence Day, as the Locust Horde erupts from below.
- A DARKER, GRITTIER THREAT — Face reimagined enemies and a terrifying underground invasion that restores the fear, dread, and intensity at the heart of the Gears of War series.
- MULTIPLAYER EVOLVED — Battle in Horde Siege for large‑scale PvE action or prove your skill in refined Versus PvP with greater precision and competitive depth.
- CLASSIC COMBAT, MODERNIZED — Experience signature cover‑based gameplay enhanced with updated movement, traversal, and controls that feel like Gears while playing like something new.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
