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Short answer
Xbox Store or Steam digitally, retailers for the disc, from $69.99
You can pre-order Gears of War: E-Day digitally on the Xbox Store and on Steam, where the Standard Edition is $69.99 and the Premium Edition is $99.99. The Standard Edition is also sold as a physical copy at retailers, and the Collector’s Edition comes from the Xbox Game Studios Shop and select retailers.
Pre-orders made before October 6, 2026 at 7:59 a.m. PT come with a cosmetic bonus. After that moment the same stores simply sell the game.
- Standard Edition
- $69.99
- Premium Edition
- $99.99
- Bonus cut-off
- October 6, 7:59 a.m. PT
Stores and what they sell
| Store | Editions | Plays on |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox Store | Standard $69.99, Premium $99.99, Premium Upgrade $30.00 | Xbox Series X|S and the Xbox PC app (Play Anywhere), plus cloud |
| Steam | Standard $69.99, Premium $99.99 | PC and Steam Deck |
| Physical retailers | Standard Edition | Xbox; prices set by the retailer |
| Xbox Game Studios Shop and select retailers | Collector’s Edition | Xbox Series X disc or Steam code |
| Game Pass | Base game from October 6 | Ultimate and PC Game Pass; no purchase needed |
Prices are US list prices checked on October 4, 2026. Regional prices differ.
The pre-order bonus
Pre-ordering any edition, including the Premium Upgrade and the Collector’s Edition, grants the Exfil Dom Legendary character skin and the Exfil Legendary weapon skin set. The skin applies only to Dominic Santiago in Horde Siege and Versus; the weapon set applies to all eligible weapons in those modes.
The items have been available in-game since early access began on October 1. Digital pre-orders are granted automatically with no code. Buyers of a physical edition may receive a code by email or on a printed receipt, depending on region and retailer.
Pre-ordering also gave early access to the first weekend of the August open beta. That benefit has ended.
How to choose
- Pick your platform first. An Xbox Store purchase covers console and the Xbox PC app; a Steam purchase covers Steam only.
- Decide whether you would rather subscribe. Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass include the base game from October 6.
- Choose an edition. Standard has the full game; Premium adds cosmetics, Iron and the five-day head start.
- If you want a disc, buy the physical Standard Edition, or the Collector’s Edition for Xbox Series X.
- Order before 7:59 a.m. PT on October 6 if you want the Exfil Dom bonus.
Digital or physical?
Digital copies can be pre-installed, which has been possible since September 29, and they unlock at the launch minute. The Xbox Store version is an Xbox Play Anywhere title, so one purchase works on Xbox Series X|S and on Windows through the Xbox PC app, with shared saves.
The physical Standard Edition suits collectors and people who resell or lend games. Xbox also says the game is part of its Disc to Digital programme from early access. The Premium Edition has no disc version of its own.
Extra costs to know about
Online multiplayer on console requires Game Pass Essential or a higher tier; that includes online campaign co-op, Horde Siege and Versus. The store states this requirement for console only.
In-game purchases are optional. Iron is sold in bundles from $4.99 for 500 up to $99.99 for 10,000 plus 3,000 bonus, and the Emergence Customization Pack is $19.99 on its own. The Coalition says nearly every cosmetic can instead be earned through play.
Quick questions
How much does Gears of War: E-Day cost?
The Standard Edition is $69.99 and the Premium Edition is $99.99 on both the Xbox Store and Steam.
What is the pre-order bonus?
The Exfil Dom Legendary character skin and the Exfil Legendary weapon skin set, for use in Horde Siege and Versus.
Can I still get the bonus after launch?
The offer is valid for pre-orders made before October 6, 2026 at 7:59 a.m. PT. Nothing official says the items will be sold later.
Sources
Where these answers come from
- Official · Official siteGearsofWar.com: Editions, Pre-Order Bonus and Open Beta AccessThe edition lineup, Premium Edition contents, pre-order bonus items, platform list and how codes are delivered.Published 2026-06-07 · Checked 2026-10-04
- Official · Store pageXbox Store: Gears of War: E-DayXbox prices, playable devices, co-op and multiplayer player counts, split-screen, cross-platform play and Play Anywhere support.Checked 2026-10-04
- Official · Store pageSteam: Gears of War: E-DaySteam price, release date, minimum and recommended PC requirements, feature tags, language support and PC feature list.Checked 2026-10-04
- Official · Official announcementXbox Wire: How Gears of War: E-Day Renews a Legendary FranchiseLaunch date, platform list, Bravo Squad, the Kalona setting, voice actors, new movement and weapons, and the first Horde Siege details.Published 2026-06-07 · Checked 2026-10-04
- Official · Official announcementXbox Wire: Discover the Gears of War: E-Day Collector’s EditionCollector’s Edition contents, the statue and COG tag details, included Premium Edition content and platform availability.Published 2026-06-08 · Checked 2026-10-04
- Official · Official announcementXbox Wire: Gone Gold, Pre-Install and Full PC SpecificationsPre-install date, early access rules for Premium and Game Pass players, and the launch PC specification chart with three tiers.Published 2026-09-17 · Checked 2026-10-04
- Official · Official announcementXbox Wire: Gears of War: E-Day is Available in Early Access TodayEarly access and worldwide unlock times, who can play early, supported platforms, cloud options and the launch trailer.Published 2026-10-01 · Checked 2026-10-04