Ethan Crossfield 
Gears of War: E-Day is already outperforming earlier franchise entries on Steam, giving players a strong reason to pay attention before its full launch. The prequel reached 20,374 concurrent players during its first day of early access, nearly doubling Gears 5’s previous series record. Early access is currently limited to Premium and Collector’s Edition owners, while the full release is scheduled for October 6. The game is also set to arrive on Xbox Game Pass on day one.
What changed for Gears of War on Steam
E-Day’s peak of 20,374 players makes it the biggest Steam launch in the Gears of War series so far. Its numbers have since declined to more than 14,000 players, but that figure still remains above the earlier franchise benchmarks. Gears 5 reached 10,196 concurrent players in October 2019, while Gears of War: Reloaded peaked at 4,819 in 2025.
The early response is not limited to player numbers. E-Day currently holds an 81% rating on Steam, making it The Coalition’s highest-rated game on the platform. The only related release with a higher rating is the Gears 5: Hivebusters expansion, which stands at 83%.
Who can play Gears of War: E-Day now
The early access period is available only through the Premium Edition and Collector’s Edition. Players who purchased the Standard Edition must wait for the October 6 full launch. That staggered rollout means the current Steam figures do not yet represent the game’s entire potential audience.
E-Day is an Xbox console exclusive and is also available on PC. It will join Xbox Game Pass as a day-one title, so the player base could expand considerably when the wider release begins. The game tells the origin story of the series by focusing on Emergence Day and the beginning of the Locust War. Its campaign supports both solo and cooperative play, alongside Horde Siege and Versus modes.
What players should expect after launch
The Coalition has outlined an initial multiplayer season lasting roughly eight weeks. Season 1 will include themed events tied to Halloween and Thanksgibbing, while the Gears of War franchise’s 20th anniversary will be recognized across the first and second seasons. The follow-up season, called Legacy, is planned to include content familiar to longtime fans.
Periodic updates will also address balance and bugs. E-Day is a large installation at more than 120GB, although players can save space by installing only the parts they intend to play immediately. That option may make it easier for players to begin with the campaign or multiplayer instead of downloading the full package at once.
Why it matters
- E-Day’s 20,374-player Steam peak is the best in franchise history.
- Its current 81% Steam rating exceeds every Coalition game except Hivebusters.
- Standard Edition owners must wait until October 6, while Premium and Collector’s Edition buyers receive early access.
- Xbox Game Pass availability on launch day could bring in a much larger audience.
- The post-launch roadmap includes themed events, anniversary content, a Legacy season, and ongoing fixes.
Expert View
E-Day’s early Steam performance is a meaningful sign of interest, especially because it has already surpassed Gears 5 and Reloaded. However, the current figures come from a paid early access audience, so the most important test will arrive on October 6 when Standard Edition players and Game Pass subscribers can join. Its opening momentum is convincing, but long-term success will depend on how well the campaign, multiplayer modes, and planned seasonal support retain players.
