“I hope they go back to it, but I love those guys and just want them to make a game they feel nails the Gears experience everyone loves,” wrote McIntyre when asked about whether he was upset that the trilogy started with Gears of War 4 never got a conclusion. “That’d be awesome. And hey, if that leads back to the trilogy, happy days.”

“We did Gears 4 and 5, and there was a suggestion that maybe there would be a Gears 6,” he continued. “But the team wanted to try something new, as I understand it. And honestly, it looks great. Can’t wait to play.”

As for JD’s ultimate fate owing to the events of Gears 5, McIntyre proposed his own solution for how The Coalition can bring the character back for a potential Gears 6. It essentially involves the Swarm somehow having revived the character and controlling him, and eventually even bringing in his father and original trilogy protagonist Marcus Fenix joining the fight to save him.

“I have a solve for that regardless of what you choose,” he explained. Hoping that Del is canon, Marcus loses his mind and goes rogue, and you learn JD has kind of been revived and controlled by Swarm, his dad has to fight him. But somehow you save him. Not sure how yet. Or if it matters lol.”

JD was introduced as a new protagonist in Gears of War 4, which also revealed that he was the son of Marcus. Set over two decades after the events of Gears of War 3, Gears 4‘s story revolved around the rise of a Locust-like race known only as the Swarm, as well as the COG, serving as the secondary antagonist thanks to its desire to bring Outsiders back into the fold.

While the story’s resolution turns the crew into allies of the COG, Gears 5 offers a fun twist on the story. JD, ordering a Hammer of Dawn to fire on large Swarm creatures in the midst of an evacuation, accidentally triggers the death of many civilians. The role of protagonist for Gears 5 is played by Kait, who starts having visions related to the Locust.

The next mainline entry in the franchise, Gears of War: E-Day, is slated for release later this year. The story takes place before the events of the first game, putting players in the midst of the Locust attack on Sera. Players once more take on the roles of Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago as they fight their way through the invasion in the city of Kalona.

But the biggest attraction is probably what follows immediately after – the Gears of War: E-Day Direct, which promises new gameplay and “insights” into the prequel. Hopefully, this is closer to the deep dives for The Outer Worlds 2 and Starfield rather than, say, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.

It could also mean a release date for E-Day, which is confirmed for 2026. While Microsoft has yet to announce a launch window, it’s allegedly arriving in the second half of the year. The goal is reportedly to avoid Grand Theft Auto 6, but with Halo: Campaign Evolved seemingly launching before September, and Fable confirmed for this Fall, it’s becoming pretty crowded for Xbox fans.

Of course, this year’s Showcase will also see the return of the Xbox FanFest. Since it’s taking place on Xbox’s 25th anniversary, you can expect a look back at the brand’s history and a “forward view of what’s next.”

In the meantime, Xbox Game Studios has two releases in the coming months: Double Fine’s Kiln on April 23rd and Playground Games’ Forza Horizon 6 on May 19th. Check out three cars confirmed for the latter, including the 2022 Honda e, here.

A new report by The Verge’s Tom Warren alleged release dates for several big titles, including Halo: Campaign Evolved targeting this Summer. Gears of War: E-Day, another 2026 release, is reportedly looking at the second half of the year. As already announced, Fable will arrive this Fall, but you can expect it sometime before November 19th, which is when Rockstar’s magnum opus finally launches.

As for Kiln, Double Fine’s pottery-meets-competitive-multiplayer title, it’s apparently launching in April – just one month before Forza Horizon 6. Based on the lack of rumors about Clockwork Revolution, State of Decay 3 and so on, it seems likely that they’ll launch next year.

In the meantime, Microsoft doesn’t just have to work out the releases for its biggest games, but also their marketing. It would lend credence to rumors of another Developer_Direct to go along with its usual Summer showcase and Gamescom presence. Still, it wouldn’t be surprising to see it drop extensive overviews and other announcements out of the blue (like the rumored PS5 release of Starfield).

Here’s hoping that a potential price increase for the Xbox Series X/S isn’t one of them.

Speaking to GamesRadar+, creative director Matt Searcy described it as “the story we were excited to tell, and so the process has been super energizing.” While the team has “touchpoints in the lore” to build from, there’s still “enough room that we get to bring new elements and ideas in.

“Getting to go back to the tone and vibes of the original games, exploring the details of Emergence, and imagining what would happen to a city (and the soldiers protecting it) as monsters poured out from the ground was a great starting point to reintroduce the Locust and these characters.”

And while E-Day is a pivotal event in the game’s universe, the story unfolds over consecutive days in Kalona. Why? To ultimately break your heart. “The story of Emergence Day is really about what happened to the people of Sera. It was a massive, worldwide event, and we wanted players to feel the impact – so we decided to set this game in a single city.”

Players will “become intimate with the city” and ultimately “feel the loss of what was here: the history, the people, and the lives they were living,” says Searcy. It’s a harrowing journey that could very well provide a new dimension to the characters of Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago.

Gears of War: E-Day is confirmed for Xbox Series X/S and PC. While Gears of War: Reloaded marked the series’ debut on PS5 last year, it’s unknown if the prequel will make the jump, either at launch or sometime after. We’ve also yet to hear about how multiplayer will return, though The Coalition has suggested it could.

Perhaps more intriguing is that The Coalition doesn’t consider it a spin-off but something that will “shape” the franchise’s future. On the technical front, it certainly looks ground-breaking with hardware raytracing, next-gen destruction, and “over 100 times” the details for characters and environments as Gears 5.

But what are they up to, and are their offerings going to be enough to either go toe to toe with the PS5, or, at the very least, gather enough momentum to attempt reversing the two consoles’ fading fortunes? We’re here to help answer those questions.

Join us as we take a look at what Xbox Game Studios is cooking up for a year that’s shaping up to be just as good as the one before it on the gaming front. It’s also a big year as the Xbox turns 25, and as such, there’s going to be a lot to be excited about if you’ve been a fan over the years. Let’s get started.

The Coalition

The studio behind the Gears of War franchise is all set to take the meta-narrative it has established over the years back to its roots, bringing back Marcus and Dom to the stage for a prequel that has fans excited to learn more about the gruff soldier’s turbulent relationship with his superiors and the events that led to the Locusts rising as a threat to his world in Gears of War: E-Day.

In a look back at the year it had at 2025, which featured studio heads discussing future projects, Mike Crump (who heads The Coalition) was pretty excited to assert that E-Day is the franchise’s “most ambitious title yet”, and confirmed that it was on track to release later this year with Polish studio People Can Fly joining the studio to lend a helping hand.

We’re going to be watching out with very sharp eyes for a release date announcement, and we’re sure that those among you who love Gears of War share our enthusiasm.

Compulsion Games

The South of Midnight developer has been basking in the success of the title, expressing gratitude for its excellent reception and confirming that a new project is already in the works. It has been stated that the lessons it picked up from developing South of Midnight have allowed it to grow and mature as a studio, and that this new project is going to reflect those learnings to be a game that is made to impress.

However, the studio is likely to focus on the multiplatform release for South of Midnight over this year, and its new project is likely not going to surface in 2026.

Double Fine

The studio has been relatively silent since the release of Keeper last year, and with little to no news about its next project surfacing in the months that followed, we can only guess that the team behind a very unique game is getting some well-deserved rest while they put down ideas for their next big thing on the drawing board.

That’s not to say we may not hear from the studio over the course of the year, though, and we’re hoping for more unique ideas, given its last project was a game with no dialogue that still managed to keep us glued to our screens.

Halo Studios

It looks like Halo is taking the Gears of War route this year, with Halo Studios all set to release Halo: Campaign Evolved sometime this year for the PS5, PC, and Xbox. A remake of a timeless classic, the new game is slated to bring several improvements to the original’s gameplay loop, such as the ability to hijack vehicles, weapon zooming, a redesign for the Warthog, up to 4-player online coop and 2-player couch coop, and so much more.

The visuals are also getting a leg up with Unreal Engine 5 powering the experience. The game’s iconic multiplayer being given a pass is a bummer, though. However, getting to see the campaign in a whole new light is something we’re definitely excited about. The bonus missions that act as a prequel are another nice touch that we’re curious about.

InXile Entertainment

We’ve been looking forward to Clockwork Revolution ever since this title was announced by inXile back in 2023. With a solid look into how the game works last year, and rumors that it could be slated for release this year, which must be taken with a pinch of salt, this is definitely one to watch out for.

If you’re unfamiliar with the game, it brings a very interesting premise with some time-travel shenanigans that pits you against a manipulative antagonist and her quest to consolidate power with a customizable protagonist. It’s quite impressive, and we hope the rumors that it’s making its way to our screens later this year are true, although we’re only carefully optimistic on that front.

Mojang Studios

There’s a lot to be excited about if you’re into Minecraft, as Mojang is bringing eight new baby farm mobs to the game, replete with visual changes that make them quite adorable indeed. However, the drop is still in its testing phase, and you might have to wait a while for an official release announcement, depending on how things progress.

However, that’s still good news, and we’ll be sure to have an update for you as soon as we can confirm any changes to the status quo.

Ninja Theory

The studio behind Hellblade is reportedly working on a new title that’s focused on being more interactive and action-oriented than its past offerings while sustaining the cinematic quality that it is now known for, as per Windows Central’s Jez Corden.

While there is speculation that the new title could be Hellblade 3, it could very well be a new IP. Either way, it’s likely that 2026 might be a quiet year for Ninja Theory, but that could very well change in the coming months.

Obsidian Entertainment

There are reportedly four new projects in development, along with speculations that a remake of Fallout: New Vegas in the vein of last year’s Oblivion is likely coming this year. However, that remains currently unconfirmed, so hopefully this month’s Xbox Direct may bring news on that front.

But if you happen to miss it, fret not, since we’re definitely going to have your back on that one!

Playground Games

The long-standing staple of Xbox Game Studios is going to be front and center at the Developer_Direct event, with both Fable and Forza Horizon 6 slated to make an appearance in what is shaping up to be a big year for the studio.

With no gameplay currently available for both titles, we’re quite certain that we’ll be getting quite a close look at what each of them is bringing to the table. While Fable is poised to be a reboot of the franchise, aimed at modernizing it for a new generation of players, Forza Horizon 6 is going to take you to Japan this time around, with a map that’s touted to be the biggest one yet in the franchise and a lot to look forward to in it.

We expect a release date announcement later this month, although that could take a little longer. Both games are currently slated for a 2026 release, though.

Rare

While the cancellation of Everwild is sure to have been a blow to the Sea of Thieves developer, the appointment of Lousie O’ Connor as the Chief of Staff for Xbox Game Studios might help with dealing with that loss and the layoffs that affected the studio.

It’s looking like a quiet year that’s going to be spent figuring out a way forward for the studio; however, we’re hopeful that we at least get a hint at what it aims to do next.

Turn 10 Studios

The studio behind Forza Motorsport is going to stop updates to its flagship title in order to help Playground Games with Forza Horizon 6. While that news is bittersweet, we’re still happy that the studio has managed to survive the turbulence of last year and come out on top.

Who knows, we might even get news of a new project a little later down the line. But for now, it’s looking like a relatively quiet year for this one.

Undead Labs

We’re still waiting on news about State of Decay 3 after Undead Labs posted that very cryptic teaser ahead of the 2025 edition of Summer Games Fest. However, things have been very quiet on that front, and the studio’s layoffs from last year have us a tad worried about the title’s current status.

We’re still holding out hope, however, and would be delighted to hear some good news at Developer_Direct later this month. Fingers crossed, we’d say.

World’s Edge

The studio’s job postings from last year fuelled a lot of speculation that it was taking a more hands-on approach to Age of Empires, and that an Unreal Engine-powered new addition to the franchise was in the works. And while nothing is confirmed at this moment, that could very well change later this year.

It would make sense for the studio to bring out a new title in its flagship franchise, and you can bet that we’d be very happy to hear about it over the course of this year. Once again, we’re going to advise cautious optimism, but one can always hope, right?

And that’s a wrap on all of the big releases and potential announcements from Xbox Game Studios as it gears up for a year that’s quite the landmark for the iconic console. We can’t wait to get our hands on all of the titles that are coming our way, and hope to join you as we enjoy a year of great games from these talented studios.

On a recent podcast with Rand al Thor 19, Windows Central’s Jez Corden reported hearing of the team “leveraging aspects of Unreal Engine and incorporating those into the Creation Engine.” It reportedly has improved the latter “across the board” while offering various “technological improvements.” Interestingly, The Coalition, specifically its technical director, Kate Raynor, and her team, have allegedly been helping in this regard.

That’s not all – this technical overhaul is allegedly a “test bed” for future titles, like The Elder Scrolls 6 and Fallout 5. It’s worth noting that this apparently isn’t Bethesda shifting from Creation to Unreal but rather “boosting” the former with similar tech.

Of course, Corden advises taking all this with a grain of salt, but if true, it would make sense. The Creation Engine has long been criticized for the myriad of bugs and underwhelming visual fidelity (at least compared to more contemporary games). However, its strengths made it well-suited for what Bethesda wanted with Fallout 4 and Starfield, especially in base-building.

Time will tell just how significant this overhaul is in terms of gameplay and tech, so stay tuned for updates.

After all, it’s the 20th anniversary of the series, and Gears of War: E-Day is the studio’s “most ambitious game yet.” It’s “entirely built from scratch in Unreal Engine 5” to feel like the Gears that everyone knows and loves while playing “like new.”

“This is a return to our roots as Marcus and Dom face the Locust for the first time ever. It’s the best place to jump into the Gears universe, and we can’t wait to share more next year.”

Gears of War: E-Day takes place around Emergence Day when the Locust, a subterranean threat residing within the planet Sera, “emerged” and waged war on humanity. Suffice it to say that the latter, worn down from fighting among each other for Imulsion, is unprepared. While offering a linear campaign, E-Day is perhaps more notable for returning to a more horror-centric atmosphere.

The Xbox Developer_Direct is coming up in January 2026, so perhaps we’ll learn more at the show. Thus far, Playground Games is confirmed to appear – Forza Horizon 6 seems a given, but it’s unknown if we’ll see Fable.

It’s not much beyond a tweet with the words, “Emergence begins,” and “2026,” but maybe we’ll learn more at next month’s Direct. As the first mainline title in the series since 2019’s Gears 5, E-Day is a prequel that takes place right as the Locust attack Sera. As Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago (reprised by their original actors), you’ll play through the multiple days of the conflict in the city of Kalona.

While subsequent entries became more action and adventure-focused, Gears of War: E-Day returns to the series’ horror roots (that too with a linear campaign). Also, unlike Halo: Campaign Evolved, it’s likely to have multiplayer. Whether it’s coming to PS5 alongside Xbox Series X/S and PC on day one remains to be seen.

It’s an exciting proposition, especially with the developer confirming a return to the original’s horror roots. Interestingly, former series art director Jerry O’Flaherty provided an apt comparison, calling the first game the “Alien” of the series while subsequent entries were more like “Aliens.”

“Agreed,” he said when asked by FRVR about E-Day channeling the first game’s horror. “It felt like… a franchise is gonna do what people do. I just felt like the first one had more of a horror [theme]. It felt like a horror with monsters, and then it quickly became a monster game, which is fine, people fricking love 2, 3, 4, but it was a little bit of a smaller, more isolationist nature to that horror game.

“If Gears 1 was Alien, the rest of the franchise was Aliens. It was a lot more, you know, there was a hiding of the bad guy, there was just the tension and the horror that you were pulling out of every location, and I loved that… I loved the horror aspect of what we did in the first one.”

While Epic Games (which developed the original trilogy) pushed Unreal Engine 3 with Gears of War 1, it went for a more cinematic presentation with a “reduced palette” and lots of darkness.

“Very early on, we knew we wanted to push cinematic content. We were doing it from even before Gears was properly in development; we were having to make videos to show Peter Moore, and there was this constant little back channel feeding of stuff we were working on. It was horror. It was a horror game, and horror is going to be a reduced palette; it’s going to be a lot of dark.”

Gears of War: E-Day launches in 2026 for Xbox Series X/S and PC. The Coalition has confirmed it will unfold over the course of several days and offer a “new feel” for the franchise.

This Gears Of War: Reloaded guide is a complete listing of all 33 COG Tag locations, spread over 19 Chapters between the five story Acts.

Act I: Ashes

Chapter: 14 Years after E-Day

1. No matter which path you choose, you will find the first Tag immediately
2. The room where the Locust breach the door
3. Through the breached door, bear left and up some stairs, and left again

Chapter: Trial By Fire

1. The open space after the entering the first building
2. At the exit of the next building, on the left

Chapter: Fish in a Barrel

1. At the fountain

Chapter: Knock Knock

1. Towards the front end of the white van abandoned on the stairway

Chapter: Hammer

1. In the first building with the Wretches, go up the stairs, then down the corridor till the very end
2. In the next building after using the Hammer of Dawn, through the sprayed door, then down

Chapter: China Shop

1. Right around the starting location
2. Near the exit of the final room during the Berserker sequence
3. Out in the open from the previous location, bear left

Act II: Nightfall

Chapter: Grist

1. Go down stairs, and over the stone barrier
2. Descend the stairway and look around underneath it
3. On the left sidewalk just in front of the settlement

Chapter: Lethal Dusk

1. In a shed, immediately after learning about explosive tanks
2. At the end of the spotlight sequence, scan around the starting location

Chapter: Dark Labyrinth

1. Outside the exit of the building, to the front of the sprayed car on the right

Act III: Belly of the Beast

Chapter: Downpour

1. Look for a building marked with a ‘3’ on the right and head down its right to the very end of the path

Chapter: Evolution

1. In the wooden floorboard section, bear right at the entrance and around the generator
2. Go downstairs, before pushing the button

Chapter: Darkest Before Dawn

1. Head right instead of left, after the platform section
2. The building on the right, after sliding downhill
3. At the entrance of the cave before the Corpser encounter

Act IV: The Long Road Home

Chapter: Campus Grinder

1. Post-combat, return to the starting location and check around the short stairs

Chapter: Bad to Worse

1. Right at the start, near the truck wreck

Chapter: Imaginary Place

1. In the destructible wooden desk in the library

Act V: The Long Road Home

Chapter: Comedy of Errors

1. Through the partially open gate in the gardens

Chapter: Window Shopping

1. Head in the opposite direction, to the bottom of the stairway in the parking structure

Chapter: Jurassic Proportions

1. At the start of the Brumak encounter, near the barriers around the other side

Chapter: Train Wreck

1. Plainly visible on the ground on the other side of the breached train door
2. In the third train carriage, just prior to climbing the ladder
3. In the fifth train carriage, press the second button then head through the now cleared platform area and back inside the sprayed carriage, following the path down to the far end where another button awaits

If you have missed out on any COG Tags during a previous run, you can simply load up the relevant chapter with chapter select and play long enough to acquire the missing Tags.

Three of the related trophies/achievements are gained after collecting 11, 22, and 33 COG Tags, and are “Time to Remember”, “Honor-Bound”, and “For the Fallen” respectively. “G-reader” is earned for simply reading the entirety of a comic.

Those are the locations of all 33 COG Tag collectibles in Gears Of War: Reloaded.