“Active Reload has always been a massive part of Gears; it’s an iconic feature,” he told GamesRadar. “For E-Day, we’ve moved the Active Reload bar to the middle of the screen by default.”

If you want, it can be shifted to the top right, but Searcy says that testing indicated that “the bar being in the middle of the screen is where people actually use Active Reload the most. It becomes part of their shooting experience.”

But that’s not all, as certain weapons have “additional Active Reload mechanics.” Noticed how Marcus reloads a Gnasher’s shells, one at a time? That’s one example. “If you want to at any time, you can pull a trigger to stop your reload, keep the two or three shells that you loaded, and then use them on the enemy that’s right in front of you – if you’re willing to give up your Active bonus,” he said.

Bonuses for Active and Perfect Reloads are nothing new, whether it’s in bonus damage or increased fire rates. However, The Coalition seems to be leaning into fundamentally changing a weapon’s behavior, allowing you to forego the mechanic entirely depending on the situation. How could this potentially work for other weapons? Time will tell, but it’s an intriguing way to mix up a familiar system without messing with what works.

Gears of War: E-Day launches on October 6th for Xbox Series X/S and PC. It’s an Xbox console-exclusive alongside Clockwork Revolution – not timed and supposedly only the start of further exclusives.

Touted at over 14 hours long, E-Day’s story lets you control any of the four members of Bravo Squad from the start, including newcomers Mags Carter and Lukas Reyes. Creative director Matt Searcy told GamesRadar that, “We made the decision to support four-player co-op to reflect an aspect of how the core Gears DNA feels. Our stories are almost always about a four-person squad, right?

“We set a goal from the very beginning of development that we wanted you to be able to play as every single character. So in our campaign, you can pick any of the characters from the story – the story will be told entirely from that perspective, and you’ll never leave their side.” The overall treatment has been described as “very intimate” and “kind of like Band of Brothers or Saving Private Ryan, where you’re following this group and they aren’t always going to be in the right place at the right time.”

However, Searcy reveals that it was also a “huge investment.” Aside from each squad member having tons of detailed facial animations and individual voice lines reacting to events, The Coalition had to shape its environments to accommodate four-player co-op.

“We have had modes that have supported four-player co-op in them in the past, and clearly they work, so this was all about building the right spaces at the right sizes. You know, we build to make sure the game plays great in single-player, in two-player co-op, and then in three- and four-player co-op as well,” said Searcy.

So while it’s still enjoyable for solo players, as the squad is with you every step of the way, the team believes “in the co-op experience too, as you get to try different tactics and experiment with multiple things at once in our larger combat arenas – it’s a lot of fun.”

While you’ll have to wait until October 6th to experience Gears of War: E-Day’s campaign (October 1st with the Premium Edition), fans can expect a sampler of multiplayer sometime in August. That’s when the beta hits, potentially offering the first look at the new Versus maps. Whether it will also include the new 12-player Horde Siege is unknown, but more details on both are coming regardless, so stay tuned.

The fact that the team rebuilt all of its assets for Gears of War: E-Day also explains why the game took so long to develop, with The Coalition’s last entry being 2019’s Gears 5.

In the tech demo, which you can check out below, we get a close look at the various settings of Gears of War: E-Day, from the ruined outdoor environments to stores that have been left in a bloody mess by the Locust springing its surprise attack on the humans of Sera. The video also notes that the demo was running on an Xbox Series X at a frame rate of 60 FPS.

“In previous games, a space like this was limited to three shadowcasters in view,” explained Rayner as she gave a tour of one of Kalona’s large stores. “With MegaLights, we now have hundreds of light sources, all casting shadows at 60 frames per second on Xbox Series X.”

She also went on to discuss other features of Unreal Engine 5 that were used for the space, like animated area lights for a TV display wall. The tech allowed the studio to create a moody atmosphere thanks to how the TVs are able to cast soft shadows and act as their own light sources, all rendered entirely on the GPU.

Unreal Engine 5 also allowed The Coalition to include dynamic geometry throughout the space, like pillars lined with tiles. When shot at, the pillar remains unaffected, while its various tiles realistically break apart and fall down. Similarly, various refrigerators also have completely destroyable glass windows, complete with realistically-refracted light depending on damage like individual bullet holes.

“There is no way we’d ever be able to achieve this effect, or have this many ray-traced area lights on current-generation hardware without MegaLights,” said Rayner.

The technology also has tangible effects on gameplay, with Rayner showcasing how volumetric light and fog work whenever new Locusts pop up through their E-holes. “One of the things we’re super excited about that was unthinkable in the past is having shadows on every single one of our muzzle flashes. This is a really great improvement that adds to the dynamic combat of Gears, with a more believable firing experience that puts you right in the middle of the action like never before,” she said.

Creative director Matt Searcy, brand director Nicole Fawcette, art director Aryan Hanbeck, along with Rayner, had previously discussed how Gears of War: E-Day is the studio’s first game since 2015 to not reuse any assets or code.

Gears of War: E-Day is being developed for PC and Xbox Series X/S, and is slated for release on October 6th. It will also be one of the first recent games, along with 2027’s Clockwork Revolution, to be console-exclusive to the Xbox Series X/S.

A new tech demo, showcased below, is the source of our amazement, featuring Marcus Fenix walking around a small slice of the city of Kondora. He visits a derelict store, and it’s there that the new lighting systems come into play. Shadows and reflections look ever so natural, and the Xbox Series X’s ray-tracing chops are shown off in all their glory. The demo presents a multitude of scenarios, each of which has different elements in the environment reactions naturally to your actions, while the light from even shards of glass bounces off them just as you’d expect it to in the real world. Even the lights from Marcus’s armor cast their own shadows!

Things are equally good when you’re out on the streets or when the fog from an E-Hole casts a red hue on the area around it. The volumetrics are spot-on, and we’re going to be watching this one again once we’re done telling you about it. Of course, it remains to be seen if the entire 14-hour campaign can sustain such a level of quality, and if the ray tracing is going to have to give way to the multiplayer modes’ 120 fps target, but we see no reason to believe that it’s going to be a solid showing all around when this one drops on October 6 this year for Xbox and PC.

It’s quite the list, and we’re sure that you share our excitement for a majority of them. Without further ado, let’s get started!

1. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced

Getting to return to the Caribbean to join Edward Kenway on his epic journey from a callous pirate to a noble Assassin is definitely something we’re very excited about. A revamped combat system, some extra story cutscenes, and those delightful visuals are just icing on the cake. This one comes out on July 9, 2026, for the PS5, XBOX Series X|S, and PC.

2. EA Sports College Football 27

The College Football franchise has been doing quite well for itself in recent years, and we don’t see why this year should be any different. We already know it’s bringing quite the roster for us to enjoy, with some very attractive goodies for those who pre-order any of its editions. Once again, it releases on July 9, 026, for the PS5, XBOX Series X|S, and PC.

3. Palworld 1.0 Release

We were blown away by the cinematic trailer that this one dropped recently, and it showcases stunning new locations with fascinating creatures for us to collect over the course of our adventure. It’s touted to be the game’s biggest update yet, and is sure to bring a lot of exciting new additions to the table as it brings us to the story’s finale when it drops on July 10, 2026, for all available platforms.

4. Splatoon Raiders

Getting to join a pirate musician group that’s raiding the Spirhalite Islands for treasure? Sign us up! Yesterday’s Direct showcase gave us quite a good look at this one, and it only made us all the more excited to try out its paint-based weapons, great progression systems, and of course, the Exploration Bot. Talk about the efficient use of tech. It’s slated for a June 30 release on the Switch 2.

5. Halo: Campaign Evolved

We’re still not over that awesome trailer that showed off the new Covenant faction, some very interesting footage from the new prequel missions, and of course, the return of Master Chief. The new weapons are equally intriguing, and we can’t wait to dive in and get blasting when this one releases for the XBOX Series X|S, PC, and PS5 on July 28 this year.

6. Beast of Reincarnation

Any journey that gives you a furry friend for company is definitely worth undertaking, in our book. When you combine that with some parry-focused Soulslike action and a very cool set of powers for Emma, the game’s protagonist, you get the recipe for a game that’s sure to have us grinding our teeth in frustration but determined to end whatever the Hush throws at us. It’s slated to release on August 4 for the PS5, PC, and XBOX Series X|S.

7. Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls

With a starting roster that brings some of Marvel’s best to the table for an action-packed gameplay loop, this one is definitely going to keep us occupied for quite a while. We’re particularly interested in the Episode Mode, where you participate against the enigmatic Champion in a Tournament where you’re surely going to have to bring your best skills to the table. Look our for this one on August 6 on your PC or PS5.

8. Mafia: The Old Country – Man of Honour

An expansion that doubles up on the nostalgia factor that put this one on the map in the first place is certainly welcome. It’s even better when it gives us a look at Don Salieri’s early days before his time in America that set the entire franchise in motion. The trailer was pretty interesting despite being a little to stingy with details, but it did tell us that this one’s releasing on August 14, 2026, on all available platforms.

9. The Sinking City 2

Lovecraftian adventures are always a great combination of thrills and chills, and the Slither is looking like a foe you don’t want to tangle with unless you’re Calvin Rafferty. Of course, the Deep Ones and Shadows are equally credible threats, and we’re quite curious to see how this one has us dealing with them when it comes out on August 18 for the PS5, PC, and XBOX Series X|S. There’s even a playable demo on Steam if you want to try it before buying it.

10. Hell Let Loose: Vietnam

We were pretty bummed about this one getting delayed to August 13 but do appreciate Team 17 taking player feedback and the results from its own playtests seriously enough to ask for more time to further polish this one before releasing it for all of us. We’re hoping it builds on everything that was good about its predecessor while adding interesting new twists to the table.

11. Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2

If you’ve been with us for a while, you probably already guessed that this one is definitely something we’re eager to dive into. The chance to revisit two titles that cemented our love for the franchise is very welcome, and Solid Snake’s final chapter is the one that has us as excited as we are. Of course, Peace Walker is also something we’re eager to play again, and it’s going to be a difficult choice between them then this one drops on August 27 this year for the PS5, PC, XBOX Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and the Switch 2.

12. Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy

Sophie was among the more interesting characters in Requiem, and her role in Amicia and Hugo’s adventure in that one presented her as a complex and nuanced character. It’s only logical, then, that a look into her early days as a headstrong young smuggler exploring Minotaur Island has us itching to get started with it already. Fortunately, we don’t have to wait too long until this one drops on August 27, 2026, for the PC, PS5, and XBOX Series.

13. Star Wars Zero Company

A ragtag group of mercenaries that include a Jedi, a noble, a droid, and a former Separatist embarking on an adventure set during the Clone Wars is music to the ears of any Star Wars fan, and we’re no exception. The addition of Anakin Skywalker before his turn to the Dark Side is another interesting twist that makes this one a very compelling addition to this list. It’s out on August 27 this year for the PC, PS5, and XBOX Series X|S.

14. Elden Ring Tarnished Edition

The wait for this one has been a long one, but it’s finally coming out on August 28 this year on all available platforms and the Nintendo Switch 2. There’s new weapons, armor, and a very welcome option to customize Torrent being added to the base game and its DLC, and it’s as good a reason as any for us to begin a new playthrough in the run-up to its release. We’re pretty excited, even if that means taking on the Blade of Miquella yet again.

15. EA Sports Madden NFL 27

We were already looking forward to this one before EA highlighted how the Persona Engine is gearing up to make each athlete feel quite unique when they step onto the pitch, aside from the Superstar GOAT progression path giving us a reason to keep coming back to it for more. And that’s only the beginning of all the cool stuff this one’s bringing to the franchise when it releases on August 13, 2026, for the PC, PS5, and XBOX Series X|S.

16. The Blood of Dawnwalker

We’ve been very eager to play this one ever since it was first announced, and the wait for its September 3 release has been tantalizing at best, and agonizing every time we’ve got a new glimpse of its gameplay. Of course, the latest trailer has only exacerbated those feelings as we got to see Coen and Brencis’s fight transcend the passage of time, just as vampires should, making this one a game we’re going to be diving head-first into as soon as we get the chance.

17. Valheim 1.0 Release

The Deep North update and the end of this one’s Early Access period as it makes its PS5 and Switch 2 debut has us very interested in learning what new additions it’s bringing to the table in a survival crafting gameplay loop that’s also a great take on norse mythology. The snowy weather isn’t the only thing to look forward to, as there are going to be new enemies, places, and faces to engage with when it drops on September 9, 2026.

18. Marvel’s Wolverine

Boy, oh boy, was that look that we got into this one at the recent State of Play a good one. Insomniac made a lot of good choices in its take on Logan, and the inclusion of Jean Grey and some very high stakes for the cast make this one a very engaging title indeed. Wolverine looks like a fresh take on a very familiar character, and the mechanics look like they weave his unique powers into the gameplay loop quite well. It’s out on September 15, 2026, and is exclusive to the PS5.

19.Trials In The Sky Second Chapter

We’ve known that this one is coming for a while, and although a concrete release date is yet to be announced, it’s probably going to be out in late September. Its predecessor ended on quite the cliffhanger and it’s quite a tempting title to consider even in the midst of a very crowded release calendar thanks to one of the big names on our list. We’re definitely keeping an eye out for this one.

20. Trine 6: Together in Time

This puzzle platformer brings a vibrant color palette to a world that’s full of mysteries waiting to be explored, and a charming cast aimed at being memorable by virtue of their unique abilities and the synergies they build based off of them.You get to play it with upto three of your buddies, with a bunch of common abilities and a combat system that lets you make the most of them all thrown in. It’s releasing for the PC, PS5, Switch, Switch 2 and XBOX Series X|S on 17 September, 2026.

21. Control Resonant

How did Remedy choose to build on what made the predecessor to this one great? Well, it’s opened up the doors of the FBC and let its protagonist loose in a version of Manhattan that’s been warped beyond recognition. There are enemy designs that range from bizarre to surreal, while the combat takes a more hands-on approach this time around. This one’s out on September 24 for the PC, PS5, and XBOX Series X|S,

22. Hot Wheels Infinite Rush

Based on Mattel’s popular line of collectibles, this one is an open-world arcade racer that ditches photorealism in favor of a more amusing take on Hot Wheels, allowing it to bring its own version of the track sets we’ve always wanted to build to life. It also brings full cross-play compatibility to the table, allowing you to set up evenings of racing that could have you very entertained indeed. It’s coming to the PS5, PC, XBOX Series, and the Switch 2 on September 24, 2026.

23. Silent Hill: Townfall

Simon Ordell’s time in St. Amelia is vastly different from Hinako’s adventure in Silent Hill f, but that doesn’t make it any less unsettling in the limited glimpses we’ve got of this one. It has all the staples of the franchise, such as nasty monsters and an intense, moody setting, coupled with new additions that make this one a game to look forward to if you’ve got nerves of steel. It’s coming out for the PS5 and PC on September 24.

24. Valor Mortis

The chance to play as an undead soldier in a story set during the Napoleonic Wars is definitely something that made us sit up and pay attention, and everything we’ve seen of this one so far points to an experience that’s sure to test our skills and our patience in this first-person Soulslike. Once again, this one’s hitting the shelves on September 24 for the PC and PS5.

25. Onimusha: Way of the Sword

Miyamoto Musashi is back, and he’s bringing the Oni Gauntlet back in all its glory in a title that’s as brutal as they come on the gameplay front. The fight against Shuten-dōji in the recently released trailer was reason enough for us to be interested in this one, but the playable demo now has us itching to get into it in earnest. We’re going to have to wait until September 25 for that chance, though, and it’s coming to the PS5, PC, and XBOX Series X|S.

26. Minecraft Dungeons II

A new evil, two new worlds, and the chance of a closer look at The Nether are all factors that contribute to our enthusiasm for this one. There’s also the new combat that was shown off in a recent trailer to look forward to, alongside the potential for some very cool DLC being added to it after its September 29 release for both iterations of the Switch, PS5, PC, and XBOX Series X|S.

27. Phantom Blade Zero

We’ve got high hopes for this one, and a lot of confidence that it isn’t going to disappoint when it comes out on October 29 after a delay that’s using the extra time for some polishing. It’s combat and traversal mechanics all point to a title that’s slick, fast, and challenging, all of which are very attractive features for any game to have. The premise is equally engaging, and we can’t wait to dive into this one when it comes out for the PS5 and PC.

28. Rayman Legends Retold

It’s always great to see Rayman again, and this time around, the classic character is coming back to the spotlight in style. There’s a fully-3D art style that brings a colorful world to life with aplomb, while the story might be familiar to those of you who’ve played through Rayman Legends. This platformer is definitely worth looking out for, and is coming out October 1, 2026, for the PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.

29. Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve

Taking to the skies in fighter jets is always going to be an exhilarating experience, and the addition of superweapons and the ability to send enemy fighters crashing into one another are all facets that add to the allure of this game. It’s out on October 2 for the PS5, PC, and XBOX Series X|S and there’s an attractive bunch of content for those of you who pre-order it.

30. Gears of War: E-Day

This one’s been a long time coming and we can’t wait to rejoin Marcus Fenix on an adventure that’s going to take us back to the beginning of the war between mankind and The Locusts. Despite the lack of a PS5 version on its October 6 launch date, you’re still going to get to play it on XBOX and PC. It’s also going to be on Game Pass from day one, so there’s that. It’s as action-packed as you’d expect, going by the trailer from the XBOX Games Showcase.

31. Star Wars: Galactic Racer

Pod racing in a galaxy far, far, away sounds like the perfect way to unwind after a long day, doesn’t it? We doubt we’re going to be doing a lot of relaxing after seeing this one in action at the 2026 edition of Summer Game Fest, though. It comes with a lot of tension both on and off the tracks as you race to become the new champion of the Galactic Racing League. This one’s ready to go on October 6 for the PS5, PC, and XBOX Series X|S.

32. Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse

This 2D side-scrolling Metroidvania puts the Belmont family whip in the hands of a nimble new protagonist who must use it to take on Dracula’s forces in Paris, hitting them where it hurts while getting more powerful in the process. Trailers indicate that exploration is a crucial part of it, along with the potential integration of RPG mechanics into its progression loop. It’s coming to the PS5, PC, XBOX Series X|S, and Switch 2 on October 15, 2026.

33. Grand Theft Auto 6

This one’s certainly one that we’ve all been waiting for with patience (and a fair bit of impatience after last year’s delay), and is sure to take over the discourse around gaming when it arrives. It’s been imposing enough that other developers have done their best to give it a wide berth with some interesting effects on the year’s release calendar that you might have already noticed, even on this list. It’s out on November 19 for the PS5 and XBOX Series X|S, with no news of a PC release at the time of writing.

34. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake

One of the Zelda franchise’s heavy hitters getting a remake is obviously good news. However, Nintendo has been quite cryptic when it comes to details about its gameplay and potential improvements to the Ocarina of Time remake, and there’s no official release date at this time other than a rumored November-December release window. It’s exclusive to the Switch and Switch 2.

35. The Duskbloods

FromSoft has been rather quiet since Nightreign came out, and that’s because it has been hard at work on this PvEvP Switch 2 exclusive that lets you take control of the Bloodsworn, fierce warriors who are competing against each other for possession of the First Blood, although they might find themselves working together when the situation demands it. There are over 12 unique characters to engage with, although we’re yet to get an official release date on it.

And that’s about it for this one. It’s quite a crowded calendar for the second half of the year, but we’re sure a lot of you share our excitement for all the great titles that it’s set to bring. More games, more memories, and more fun is how we’re choosing to look at it.

Well, a tweet from none other than Xbox chief strategy officer Matthew Ball has reaffirmed the same. On Twitter, he addressed rather odd rumors regarding the brand potentially reversing its earlier stance on Xbox console exclusives.

“These rumors are false. Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution will stay exclusive. There are no conversations and have been no conversations to ‘reverse course.'” What’s more, he reminded fans that they can expect “signature exclusives” every year. Talk about a bit of tasty icing on a bittersweet cake.

What this means for all the studios under the Xbox umbrella remains to be seen. After all, the brand is seemingly aiming to cut a little weight, a sentiment that has put talented studios like Ninja Theory and Compulsion Games on a metaphorical, but still potentially nasty, chopping block.

We’re hoping that’s not the case, but we’re prudent enough to brace ourselves for a potential storm in the next month. Especially after rumors that studios like id Software, Bethesda, and many more could also be facing layoffs (to say nothing about the rest of the industry).

https://x.com/ballmatthew/status/2066882462974673027

What you probably didn’t expect is that it’s allegedly “upwards of $400 million,” according to Tom Henderson. On the latest Insider Gaming podcast, he called the budget “insane,” and criticized the decision to make it an Xbox console exclusive, which was reportedly made “five or six weeks ago.” That would certainly line up with the now-pulled trailer featuring the PS5 logo and run counter to The Coalition claiming that it was never in the works for PS5.

Such massive budgets for big-name games are nothing new nowadays – even Marathon reportedly cost nearly $250 million to develop. But you have to remember that marketing has only just begun and that $400 million-plus figure probably doesn’t account for post-launch support. The Coalition confirmed a seasonal roadmap, but it didn’t specify exactly what fans could expect (though new Versus maps seem a given).

Gears of War: E-Day launches on October 6th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. You can head here to learn more about all the new features, but suffice it to say that Xbox has an uphill battle with making it a success.

But even with a more detailed city and optional objectives, The Coalition is sticking to a linear story. That said, creative director Matt Searcy told IGN that it will be “longer than any campaign” from the studio yet at over 14 hours. He also promised even more collectibles, including the returning COG Tags.

Of course, there was also some clarification on mechanics like jumping. In short, don’t expect E-Day to turn into the next 3D Mario. It’s meant more for exploiting those fancy new flanking routes instead of jumping “across multiple levels.” And if you’re looking to freshen things up even while solo, all of Bravo Squad is playable when the campaign starts, says brand director Nicole Fawcette.

Gears of War: E-Day is out on October 6th for Xbox Series X/S and PC. An open beta kicks off in August, but The Coalition promises more details on multiplayer in the future after choosing to focus on the campaign in its first Direct. Here’s hoping we learn more about the ambitious 12-player Horde Siege alongside the post-launch plan.

“We have a kickass concept art team, and our art book is going to rock.”

The team also discussed creating a brand-new prequel story set in the universe while still preserving all of the lore. Pointing to the scene where Tai makes his appearance in the showcase trailer, Searcy said that even the dialogue of the scene was lifted from the Gears of War: Jacinto’s Remnant novel.

“We worked really hard to keep the canon intact,” Searcy said. “Honestly, lifting the Tai moment out and putting it in this place was probably the biggest single thing we’ve done, and we kept it intact, like we kept the moment intact. We just relocated where and when exactly it happened in the canon. Even the dialogue in the cinematic is basically lifted from the book.”

This idea of picking up moments discussed in other Gears of War media and putting them into their games was referred to by Fawcette as “lift and shift”. Searcy went on to discuss the overarching lore, noting that what we’ve seen in the games represents a tiny fraction of what would actually be going on during Emergence Day on planet Sera.

“If you think about what’s been talked about in Gears lore, it’s a tiny amount of what would exist on Sera,” he explained. “It’s like a few cities, it’s a few major battles, it’s some specifics. Every time we tackle a new story, and especially with this one, we’re trying to expand not just what we’re telling the story about — the new characters here, the history of Kalona, how it was involved in the Pendulum War effort, how it might have positioned itself to be in the world that was lost, why people care about Kalona. Why is the military even bothering to try to save this [city]?”

“All of those things make all of the other stories better because it enriches how the world connects and sets us up to tell new stories. Because while we answer [some questions], we’ll open up new questions as well. Plus we’re bringing back some fan favorites, but we’re adding a whole bunch of new characters too.”

While the team has said plenty of things about the upcoming title’s campaign, little has been revealed about its competitive multiplayer modes. Fawcette recently confirmed that more information about the multiplayer will be revealed as we get closer to the October 6th launch of Gears of War: E-Day on PC and Xbox Series X/S.

“It’s coming! This is our gameplay reveal; we haven’t shown anything of this game, so we really wanted to set that groundwork.”

“Well, we never talked about it going to PS5,” he told Eurogamer. Regarding the purported change in plans, Fawcette went on to add that, “It was never changed.” Further in the conversation, Searcy spoke about how Gears of War: E-Day makes sense as an Xbox-exclusive release. “I would say that, Gears as an exclusive, makes a tonne of sense,” he said. “It’s kind of an honour, and exciting, to be one of the Xbox flagship titles.”

However, with console exclusivity also comes a much smaller audience, especially since Xbox consoles are fairly behind the PS5 in its install base. When asked about this, Searcy, along with art director Aryan Hanbeck, said that they weren’t too concerned about shipping the game to a smaller audience.

“Of course, it’s awesome to have [more] people play our games, but for Xbox and PC, you’ve got what is out there. We’re not too concerned about the size of the audience,” Hanbeck added. “We’ve shipped to audiences smaller before, and there are great shooters on Xbox already.”

Gears of War: E-Day is being developed for PC and Xbox Series X/S, and is slated for release on October 6th. The title got an extensive showcase last weekend via a dedicated Direct. Xbox also confirmed Clockwork Revolution, inXile’s next title, would not be coming to PS5 and further clarified the exclusivity isn’t time-limited for either.

“As part of our focus on the return of Xbox, we also announced that Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution will be Xbox console exclusives,” said the company in a statement. “These are not timed exclusives. Games already announced for multiplatform releases will stick to that plan – we’re committed to investing in and growing Xbox both on console and beyond.”

Searcy, Hanbeck and technical director Kate Rayner had recently also spoken about how Gears of War: E-Day was The Coalition’s first entry in the franchise since 2015 that reused zero assets from previous games during development. To do this, the three spoke about how useful Unreal Engine 5 was throughout the process.

“We took advantage of UE5 to bring Gears up to speed with where modern gaming is, without losing what makes it authentic,” Searcy said. “You’re playing a sweaty Gears game — but it’s entirely built from scratch to capture the emotional core of those older games.”

Hanbeck also spoke about leaning on the horror-adjacent elements that the Gears franchise was known for in its earlier entries. “We wanted to lean into the horror-adjacent elements Gears always had. Light and dark, getting into scarier spaces, dynamic shadows. This tech lets us do that in a way we couldn’t before. You really don’t want to tell that story if you can’t deliver on the visual gravitas of what has to go with it. It deserves a certain amount of weight.”