Gears of War: E-Day puts you back at the start of the Locust invasion with Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago, and pre-orders are now live across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Steam. The game ships in three versions, each with a different mix of cosmetics, early access, and physical collectibles. Below is exactly what each one costs, what it unlocks, and the dates that matter.
Quick answer: Standard is $69.99, Premium is $99.99, and the Collector’s Edition is $299.99. All three include the Open Beta early access (August 6, 2026), the Exfil Dom skin, and the Exfil weapon skin set. The full game launches October 6, 2026, with Premium and Collector’s buyers playing up to five days early on October 1.
Gears of War: E-Day editions and prices
The Standard Edition is the base game and is sold in both physical and digital formats. Premium is digital only, and there is also a separate Premium Edition Upgrade priced at $30 if you start with the Standard copy and want the extras later. The Collector’s Edition bundles the full Premium content as a digital upgrade on top of its physical items.
| Content | Standard ($69.99) | Premium ($99.99) | Collector’s ($299.99) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base game | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Open Beta early access | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Exfil Dom character skin | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Exfil weapon skin set | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Up to 5 days early access | No | Yes | Yes |
| Bravo Squad Signature Weapon Pack | No | Yes | Yes |
| Emergence Customization Pack | No | Yes | Yes |
| Four Seasonal Customization Packs | No | Yes | Yes |
| 1,000 Iron currency | No | Yes | Yes |
| 15-inch Marcus & Dom statue | No | No | Yes |
| Replica Carlos Santiago COG tags | No | No | Yes |
| Custom SteelBook case | No | No | Yes |
| Art print & in-game photo | No | No | Yes |
| Developer thank-you note | No | No | Yes |
| Collector’s display packaging | No | No | Yes |
Pre-order bonuses for every edition
No matter which version you buy, pre-ordering grants the same three rewards. These items apply in Horde Siege and Versus, and they become available in-game starting with early access on October 1.
- Early access to the Open Beta, which begins August 6, 2026
- Exfil Dom Legendary character skin (applies to Dominic Santiago)
- Exfil Legendary weapon skin set (applies to all eligible weapons)
How you receive Beta access depends on the format. If you pre-order digitally, early access is applied to your account automatically and no code is needed. If you buy a physical copy, your Beta code comes from the retailer, delivered by email or printed on the receipt at the point of sale, and the same applies to the pre-order skins for physical buyers.
Note: Exact Beta timing and platform availability are still to be confirmed by The Coalition, and online multiplayer features may require a Game Pass subscription that includes online play.
What the Premium Edition adds
For $30 more than Standard, the Premium Edition gives you up to five days of early access on October 1, 2026, the Bravo Squad Signature Weapon Pack for campaign use only, 1,000 Iron premium currency, and a set of cosmetic packs. The centerpiece is the Emergence Customization Pack, available at launch.
The Emergence Customization Pack contains the following items:
- 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
On top of that, Premium includes four additional Seasonal Customization Packs that release over time. Each Seasonal Pack carries two character skins, two weapon skin sets, two poses, and one banner, emblem, and icon. If you already own the Standard Edition, the standalone Premium Edition Upgrade adds all of this content for $30.
What the $299.99 Collector’s Edition includes
The Collector’s Edition is aimed at long-time fans who want physical memorabilia. It carries the full Premium Edition content through a digital upgrade, so you also get the five-day early access, Bravo Squad weapon pack, 1,000 Iron, and the Seasonal packs starting with Emergence at launch. The physical box adds the following:
- 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 and a limited edition art print
- Thank-you note from The Coalition
- Custom SteelBook case designed by illustrator Luke Preece
- Collector’s display packaging with a sliding drawer for the tags
- The base game (Xbox buyers get a physical disc, Steam buyers receive a digital token)
The Collector’s Edition is sold for Xbox Series X and Steam, and quantities are limited with availability varying by region.
Key dates: launch, early access, and Open Beta
| Milestone | Date | Who gets it |
|---|---|---|
| Open Beta early access | August 6, 2026 | All pre-order editions |
| Early access / Collector’s launch | October 1, 2026 | Premium and Collector’s buyers |
| Global launch | October 6, 2026 | Everyone, including Game Pass |
The game is an Xbox console exclusive for Xbox Series X|S and PC, and there is no PlayStation release. It is also part of Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on day one, so subscribers can play at launch without a pre-order, though Game Pass does not include the Collector’s physical items or the pre-order cosmetics.
How to pre-order Gears of War: E-Day
Pre-order pages are rolling out across platforms and regions, so if you do not see your store live yet, check back. Pick the path that matches where you play.
You’ll know a digital pre-order worked when the title shows up in your Steam or Xbox library, ready to install ahead of the Beta or launch. Physical buyers should confirm their order includes the Beta code and pre-order content from the retailer at the point of sale.
If you only want the campaign and standard multiplayer, the $69.99 Standard Edition already covers the base game, the Open Beta, and both Exfil cosmetics. The $99.99 Premium is the pick if early access and the Iron currency matter to you, and the $299.99 Collector’s Edition is built for fans who want the statue, COG tags, and SteelBook alongside the full Premium content.
