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Is Gears of War: E-Day on Game Pass?

Gears of War: E-Day is on Game Pass from day one: October 6, 2026 for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on console, PC, handheld and cloud. Tiers explained.

Published 2026-10-046 cited sources
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Short answer

Yes, on day one with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass

Xbox’s September 2026 Game Pass announcement lists Gears of War: E-Day for October 6 on Xbox Series X|S, handheld, PC and cloud, under Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. That is the worldwide launch day.

Two limits are worth knowing. Other Game Pass tiers were not named for launch, and membership does not unlock the five-day early access period.

Available
October 6, 2026
Tiers
Ultimate, PC Game Pass
Early access
Not included

What each membership gets you

Game Pass tiers and Gears of War: E-Day at launch
TierFull game on day oneNotes
Game Pass UltimateYesConsole, PC, handheld and cloud.
PC Game PassYesXbox PC app version.
Game Pass PremiumNot listedNot named in the day-one announcement.
Game Pass EssentialNot listedProvides the online multiplayer access console players need if they buy the game.

The Xbox Store also says “Cloud playable with Xbox Game Pass Essential, Premium or Ultimate.” That line sits on the purchase page; it does not add the game to the Essential or Premium library.

Game Pass and early access

The gone-gold post spells it out: Premium Edition players can start up to five days early on October 1, while Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members join on October 6. A member who wants the head start buys the Premium Upgrade, which also adds the Premium cosmetic packs, 1,000 Iron and a campaign weapon pack.

Members did get one early perk: Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers were let into the first weekend of the August open beta without pre-ordering.

Playing on launch day through Game Pass

  1. Confirm your membership is Ultimate or PC Game Pass and will be active on October 6.
  2. Find the game in the Game Pass library and pre-install; downloads opened on September 29.
  3. On PC, check the system requirements. The Game Pass version has the same ray-tracing GPU rule as the Steam version.
  4. At 8:00 a.m. PT on October 6, launch from your library.
  5. Optional: buy the Premium Upgrade if you want the extra cosmetics.

Devices covered by the Game Pass version

The announcement lists Xbox Series X|S, handheld, PC and cloud. That matches the Xbox Store’s “Play with” list of PC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Cloud Gaming and handheld. On console, playing online also counts as multiplayer, which every Game Pass tier from Essential upward includes.

Does progress carry over if you buy later?

The game is an Xbox Play Anywhere title with Xbox cloud saves, so a save made through Game Pass on console is tied to your account rather than the subscription. Official posts do not describe the exact hand-off when a membership lapses and you then buy the game, so we are not stating more than that.

Achievements and Gamerscore earned on the Game Pass version are ordinary Xbox achievements.

What Game Pass does not include

Membership covers the base game. It does not include the Premium Edition content, the five seasonal customisation packs, Iron currency or partner items. Most cosmetics can still be earned by playing: The Coalition says nearly every item is unlockable through challenges, medals or Coins.

Quick questions

Is Gears of War: E-Day free with Game Pass?

It is included with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass from October 6, 2026 at no extra charge.

Can Game Pass members play on October 1?

Only with the Premium Upgrade. Without it, Game Pass access starts on October 6.

Is the Steam version part of Game Pass?

No. Game Pass applies to the Xbox console and Xbox PC app versions.

Next step

Gears of War: E-Day Premium Edition: What You GetPlaying through Game Pass? See whether the Premium Upgrade is worth adding.

Sources

Where these answers come from