Gears of War: E-Day is a mainline origin-story game about Emergence Day, the moment the Locust Horde first erupts beneath the planet Sera and begins its assault on humanity. Set 14 years before the original Gears of War, it follows younger Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago as they face the invasion’s opening days. Xbox lists the game as released on October 6, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S and PC.
What does “E-Day” mean?
“E-Day” is short for Emergence Day: the first appearance of the Locust Horde from beneath Sera and the start of its devastating attack on humanity. The official Xbox description casts the game as a survival story set in the invasion’s first days. At this point in the timeline, the Locust are unfamiliar and overwhelming to the people facing them.
| # | 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 2 - Xbox 360 (Renewed) | $18.74 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Steamforged Games Gears of War The Card Game: Core Game - 2 Players, 30-60 Minutes of Gameplay... | $14.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Gears of War 3 (Renewed) | $14.17 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Gears of War 4 - Xbox One (Renewed) | $21.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Xbox’s official game page places the story 14 years before the original Gears of War. That makes E-Day a turning point in the series’ history, not just a new battle in an ongoing war.
Who are the characters in Gears of War: E-Day?
Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago
The familiar leads are younger Marcus Fenix and Dominic “Dom” Santiago. They are soldiers caught in the sudden Locust attack, and the story focuses on their efforts to survive as well as the beginning of the bond that matters throughout the series. In a 2024 Xbox Wire interview, Studio Creative Director Matt Searcy described the game as telling the origin story of Marcus and Dom and their relationship.
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- 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.
Mags Carter and Lucas Reyes
The squad also includes Mags Carter and Lucas Reyes. In a 2026 Xbox Wire interview, The Coalition identified Mags as a former Gear working at Kalona’s Imulsion Refinery, and Lucas as a young cadet and communications officer. The interview describes the four characters as Bravo Squad.
Where does E-Day fit in the Gears of War timeline?
E-Day is an earlier-timeline mainline entry—often described as a prequel or origin story—not a spin-off. It shows the event that begins the Locust conflict and gives context to stories that take place afterward.
Rank #2
- 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.
The developers have also said that telling an earlier story does not mean abandoning the arcs established in Gears 4 and Gears 5. In the 2024 Xbox Wire interview, Studio Brand Director Nicole Fawcette called E-Day “a completely new entry to the mainline series, set earlier in the timeline.”
When did Gears of War: E-Day release, and where can you play it?
As of October 7, 2026, Xbox lists Gears of War: E-Day as released on October 6, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S and PC. Xbox also lists it as included with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass at launch. See the Xbox game page for current platform and subscription details.
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- Listen up, soldier. The world is in ruin. The Locust Horde has risen. It’s Human vs Horde, and here’s your mission: Pick a side, build a powerful deck, and win the war. The fate of the world is in your hands!
- Experience the gritty gunplay of the video game in this official two-player card game. Take command of the COG forces or the Locust horde and seize control of the battlefield, one chapter at a time.
- Strategise your way through each chapter, bolstering your forces with classic characters like Marcus Fenix, General Raam, August “Cole Train” Cole, Dominic Santiago, and Damon Baird.
- Every battle counts. Whatever happens in each chapter will change what comes next, so you’d better be ready to dominate. The deck you build and decisions you make will change the way you play each campaign, making this a game you can reload time and time again.
- Whether you're a hardened vet or a grass-green rookie, get ready to take cover and lay down suppressive fire. Your enemies are trying to take the line, soldier. You’d better shove back hard.
What is in the Collector’s Edition?
The official Collector’s Edition announcement describes a physical disc for Xbox Series X or a digital token for Steam, alongside a 15-inch Marcus and Dom statue, replica Carlos Santiago COG tags, an art print, an in-game photo, and a custom SteelBook. Availability is limited and varies by region, so the announcement does not establish current stock. The editions announcement also listed up to five days of early access as an edition benefit; that was not the standard release date.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 25 Years after Gears of War 3, spurred by a series of strange disappearances, JD Fenix must embrace his father’s legacy and battle a terrifying new enemy
- Never Fight Alone: Enjoy two-player co-op with friends locally via split-screen, over Xbox Live or LAN. Player 2 can select either Kait or Del
- Redefined Cover Gameplay: New close-cover combat moves and combat-knife executions turn each piece of cover into an offensive opportunity
- Brutal New Weapons: An incredible arsenal of new weapons includes the Buzzkill and Dropshot, which can shoot around and over cover, raining destruction from all angles
Rank #4
- 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.
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.
