Gears of War: E-Day launched on October 6, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC through the Xbox/Microsoft Store, and Steam. On PC, the published minimum is unusually demanding in one respect: hardware-accelerated ray tracing is required, even at minimum settings. You also need 12 GB of RAM, a 64-bit Windows installation, and 115 GB of free space on an SSD.
The recommended specification raises the target to Windows 11 25H2 or newer, 16 GB of RAM, a Ryzen 5 5600 or Core i5-11600K-class processor, and an RTX 5060/3060 Ti or Radeon RX 6700 XT-class graphics card. Xbox lists the game in Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass, with Xbox Play Anywhere support for shared progression and achievements between Xbox and the Windows PC version.
| # | 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 |
|
Gears of War 3 (Renewed) | $16.63 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![Xbox One - Gears Of War 5 - [PAL EU - NO NTSC]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51duB8cYpdL._SL160_.jpg)
|
Xbox One - Gears Of War 5 - [PAL EU - NO NTSC] | $16.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Gears of War 3 | $11.77 | Buy on Amazon |
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Where Gears of War: E-Day is available
The game is available on three platform destinations: Xbox Series X|S consoles, Windows PC through the Xbox/Microsoft Store, and Steam for PC. The official Xbox listing gives October 6, 2026 as the release date. Xbox Wire reported that pre-install began on September 29, 2026, ahead of the worldwide launch on October 6.
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| Platform | How to access it | Cross-buy and progression |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series X|S | Standalone console purchase or Game Pass Ultimate access | Xbox Play Anywhere applies when the purchase is through the Xbox ecosystem; progression and achievements are shared with the Windows PC version |
| Windows PC | Xbox/Microsoft Store or Game Pass for PC | Xbox Play Anywhere supports shared progression and achievements with Xbox Series X|S |
| Steam for PC | Standalone Steam purchase | The Xbox Play Anywhere statement covers the Xbox/Microsoft Store version; the Steam listing is a separate PC storefront |
Xbox also promotes a limited-edition Gears of War: E-Day Xbox Wireless Controller. It is an accessory option, not a requirement for playing the game.
#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.
Gears of War: E-Day minimum PC requirements
These are the published minimums from the Steam Support specification. Meeting them means your computer reaches the stated baseline; it does not guarantee a particular resolution or frame rate.
| Component | Minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 10 64-bit, version 22H2, build 19045.7291 |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 2600X, Intel Core i7-6850K, or Intel Core i5-10400 |
| Memory | 12 GB RAM |
| Graphics | Hardware-ray-tracing-capable NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 or RTX 2060, or AMD Radeon RX 6600 or RX 9060 |
| Graphics API | DirectX 12 |
| Storage | 115 GB available space on an SSD |
| Network | Broadband internet |
| Audio | Windows-compatible audio device |
| Architecture | 64-bit processor and operating system |
Why the ray-tracing requirement matters
The graphics requirement is not simply an old-versus-new GPU comparison. The minimum list specifically requires hardware ray tracing. A card that is fast enough in conventional rasterized games but lacks dedicated hardware ray-tracing support does not satisfy the published minimum. This is the most important compatibility check for owners of older graphics cards.
What the minimum does not tell you
The specification does not publish a guaranteed minimum frame rate, resolution, or graphics preset. It identifies the hardware floor for running the PC version. Actual results will vary with resolution, image-quality settings, driver versions, background applications, and the rest of the system.
Recommended PC requirements
The recommended specification is a better target if you want more headroom for image quality and demanding scenes. It still does not represent a promised frame rate.
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.
| Component | Recommended requirement |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11 64-bit, version 25H2 or newer |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 5600 or Intel Core i5-11600K |
| Memory | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 or RTX 3060 Ti, or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT or RX 9060 XT |
| Graphics API | DirectX 12 |
| Storage | 115 GB available space on an SSD |
| Network | Broadband internet |
| Audio | Windows-compatible audio device |
| Architecture | 64-bit processor and operating system |
The recommended list includes both older and newer GPU examples. Treat the named models as the publisher’s reference classes rather than as a promise that every card with a similar product name will perform identically. Laptop GPUs, power-limited cards, and systems with thermal throttling can behave differently from desktop versions.
Can your PC run E-Day? A practical check
Use the following checklist before buying or installing. Compare every category, not just the graphics-card name.
- Check Windows edition and build. Press
Windows + R, enterwinver, and press Enter. For the minimum target, verify Windows 10 64-bit version 22H2 and build 19045.7291. For the recommended target, verify Windows 11 64-bit version 25H2 or newer. - Confirm 64-bit architecture. Open
Settings > System > Aboutand check System type. The requirement is a 64-bit processor and operating system. - Identify the processor. In
Settings > System > Aboutor Task Manager’sPerformance > CPUview, compare the model with the Ryzen 5 2600X, Core i7-6850K/Core i5-10400 minimum alternatives or the Ryzen 5 5600/Core i5-11600K recommended alternatives. - Check installed memory. In Task Manager, select
Performance > Memory. You need at least 12 GB for the minimum specification and 16 GB for the recommended specification. - Check the exact GPU. Open
Settings > System > Display > Advanced displayor Task Manager’sPerformance > GPUview. Compare the model with the listed RTX or Radeon examples, then confirm that it supports hardware ray tracing. The ray-tracing capability is mandatory at minimum. - Verify DirectX. Press
Windows + R, enterdxdiag, and review the DirectX information and display-device details. The published requirement is DirectX 12. - Check the installation drive. In File Explorer, right-click the intended SSD and choose
Properties. It must have at least 115 GB available when you install the game. A hard-drive-only system does not meet the stated storage requirement. - Confirm connectivity. The PC specification calls for broadband internet. This is relevant to downloading the game and to online features.
What happens if your PC misses a requirement?
No hardware ray tracing
This is a hard compatibility gap under the published minimum. Upgrading to a GPU with hardware ray-tracing support is necessary; lowering other settings does not change that requirement.
Less than 12 GB of RAM
Below the listed memory floor, the system is outside the supported minimum. If your PC has 12 GB installed but routinely uses most of it for other applications, close background software before launching. Moving to 16 GB aligns with the recommended memory target.
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.
A mechanical hard drive or insufficient free space
The requirement is an SSD with 115 GB available, not merely 115 GB of total drive capacity. If the drive is full, install to an SSD with enough free space or remove files first. The specification does not state an additional download buffer, so leave practical headroom for Windows updates and other applications rather than treating 115 GB as a guarantee that no extra space will ever be needed.
Windows 10 versus Windows 11
Windows 10 22H2 is listed for the minimum configuration, while Windows 11 25H2 or newer is listed for the recommended configuration. A Windows 10 system can therefore meet the published minimum if its build and hardware also match, but it does not match the recommended operating-system target.
A comparable but unlisted GPU
The official list gives example models rather than a complete compatibility database. First check hardware ray tracing, then compare the card’s memory, power limit, and generation with the listed class. Because no independent performance benchmark is supplied, an unlisted card cannot be assigned a reliable frame-rate expectation from these requirements alone.
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Campaign and local co-op
E-Day supports solo play. On Xbox consoles, two players can play split-screen co-op on the same system. Split-screen is specified for console; the published platform information does not describe a split-screen mode for PC.
Online co-op, Horde Siege, and Versus
Online campaign co-op supports up to four players. Horde Siege is the expanded player-versus-environment mode, while Versus supplies competitive player-versus-player matches. Xbox states that online campaign co-op, Horde Siege, Versus, and other online features require a Game Pass subscription that includes online multiplayer.
That requirement is separate from the PC hardware specification. A computer can meet every CPU, GPU, RAM, and storage target and still need the appropriate subscription for the game’s online features on Xbox services.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Game Pass and Xbox Play Anywhere explained
Game Pass availability
Xbox lists E-Day as available day one in Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. This gives subscribers access through the supported Xbox console or Windows PC service, subject to the subscription remaining active.
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Play Anywhere
Xbox Play Anywhere supports a shared purchase between Xbox Series X|S and the Windows PC version purchased through the Xbox/Microsoft Store. Xbox says shared progression and achievements carry across those versions. The Play Anywhere statement does not turn the Steam listing into the Microsoft Store version; Steam remains its own PC storefront.
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
Performance expectations and display claims
Xbox describes a feature target of 4K and up to 60 frames per second with a compatible display. That is not a universal PC guarantee and should not be read as a promise that every system meeting the recommended list will deliver 4K at 60 FPS. The published PC requirements contain no independent benchmark results or publisher FPS table.
For a purchase decision, use the requirements to establish compatibility first. Then choose resolution and quality expectations based on your exact GPU, CPU, cooling, drivers, and display rather than on the minimum or recommended label alone.
Which version should you choose?
Choose Xbox Series X|S if
- You want a console installation without checking PC hardware.
- You need two-player split-screen co-op.
- You plan to use Xbox Play Anywhere with a Windows PC version bought through the Xbox ecosystem.
Choose the Xbox/Microsoft Store PC version if
- You already use PC Game Pass or want Xbox Play Anywhere cross-buy.
- Your PC meets the ray-tracing, Windows, memory, DirectX, and SSD requirements.
- Shared Xbox and PC progression and achievements matter to you.
Choose Steam if
- You want the game managed through your existing Steam library.
- Your PC meets the same published hardware baseline.
- You do not need the Xbox Play Anywhere entitlement attached to an Xbox/Microsoft Store purchase.
Bottom line for prospective players
For console buyers, Gears of War: E-Day is an Xbox Series X|S release with solo play, console split-screen for two, and online modes for up to four players. For PC buyers, the decisive checks are hardware ray tracing, 12 GB of RAM, DirectX 12, a 64-bit Windows installation, and 115 GB on an SSD. The recommended target is Windows 11 25H2 or newer, 16 GB of RAM, and an RTX 5060/3060 Ti or Radeon RX 6700 XT-class GPU. Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass include access, while Xbox Play Anywhere links the Xbox and Xbox/Microsoft Store PC versions with shared progression and achievements.
Quick Recap
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.
