Xbox Game Pass This Week: Gears of War: E-Day, Which Plan You Need and What’s Leaving And everything you are wondering about
To all my fellow Xbox freaks who are gaming all this weekend and wondering when Gears of War will come on Xbox Game Pass, here’s the...
To all my fellow Xbox freaks who are gaming all this weekend and wondering when Gears of War will come on Xbox Game Pass, here’s the good news.
The Gears of War: E-Day has joined the Xbox Game Pass on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, and it’s included on day one for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members.
That’s why so many people are searching for Xbox Game Pass right now. One of Xbox’s biggest franchises is about to drop into the subscription, and a lot of players are trying to work out whether their plan covers it or not, what time it unlocks, and whether the early access upgrade is worth paying for or not.
Below is everything you actually need to know, without the fluff that most other websites talk about.
Which Xbox Game Pass plan do really think you need?
This is the part that trips people up. E-Day is not on every tier, so check your plans before Tuesday and update accordingly.
| Game Pass plan | Gets E-Day on October 6? |
|---|---|
| Game Pass Ultimate | Yes |
| PC Game Pass | Yes (PC only) |
| Game Pass Premium | No |
| Game Pass Essential | No |
| Game Pass Starter | No |
If you’re on Essential, Premium or the new Starter tier, you’ll either need to move up to Ultimate (or PC Game Pass if you only play on PC), or buy the game outright.
Source of this is Pure Xbox and Xbox.com websites. Do check it your yourself once.
What time does it unlock?
The Coalition has put the standard launch at 3pm UTC on October 6. That works out to 8:30pm IST, 4pm BST and 11am ET. Some outlets report console versions may unlock at midnight local time instead, so it’s worth checking your Xbox app tonight.
The game can be pre-installed, so download it now and you won’t be stuck watching a progress bar when it goes live.
Is early access worth it?
Some players are already in. Early access opened on October 1 for anyone who bought the Premium Edition, the Premium Upgrade or the Collector’s Edition.
Game Pass Ultimate members can get in early too, but not for free. You’d need the Premium Upgrade, which costs around $30 according to Techloy. Xbox notes the upgrade requires either the base game or an Ultimate membership.
Honestly, with the full launch just a day away, the upgrade makes far less sense now than it did last week. Unless you want the extra Premium Edition content, just wait for Tuesday.
What is Gears of War: E-Day, and why the hype?
E-Day is a prequel set 14 years before the original Gears of War. You play as a younger Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago on Emergence Day, the day the Locust first tear up through the ground.
For long-time fans, that’s the moment the whole series has talked about for nearly two decades, finally made playable. Instead of the battle-hardened Marcus we know, this is the story of how he became that person.
There’s plenty here beyond the story, too:
- Campaign co-op, so you can play through it with a friend
- Horde Siege, a new take on the classic wave-survival Horde mode
- Versus multiplayer for competitive players
It’s coming to Xbox Series X|S and PC (Microsoft Store and Steam). It is not coming to PS5. If you buy it digitally, Xbox Play Anywhere lets you play on both console and PC with one purchase.
What else is coming to Xbox Game Pass in October?
E-Day is the headliner, but it isn’t the only new arrival. Here’s the rest of the confirmed October lineup so far, according to Pure Xbox:
| Date | Game | Plans |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 6 | Gears of War: E-Day | Ultimate, PC |
| Oct 8 | Echo Weaver | Ultimate, PC |
| Oct 8 | Neon Abyss 2 | Ultimate, PC |
| Oct 13 | Deep Dish Dungeon | Ultimate, PC |
| Oct 13 | Valor Mortis | Ultimate, PC |
| Oct 15 | Beyond These Stars | Ultimate, PC (PC only) |
| Oct 15 | Chained Beasts | Ultimate, PC |
| Oct 27 | The Seance of Blake Manor | Ultimate, PC |
| Oct 29 | Terrible Lizards | Ultimate, PC |
If Gears isn’t your thing, Neon Abyss 2 is a good pick for roguelike fans, and The Seance of Blake Manor is one to watch if you like a slower, spookier mystery as Halloween gets close.
Games leaving Xbox Game Pass on October 15
Now for the less fun part. According to TrueAchievements, these games are set to leave Game Pass on October 15:
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- A Plague Tale: Requiem
- Crime Scene Cleaner
- Donut County
- Evil West
- Pacific Drive
- The Casting of Frank Stone
- Nova Roma
Superball’s Game Pass perk content is also ending, though the free-to-play game itself stays available.
If you’re partway through Clair Obscur or A Plague Tale, that gives you about ten days to finish.
Xbox usually offers a discount on leaving games, so if you want to keep one, buy it before the 15th and your saves carry over.
Check the Leaving Soon tab in the Xbox app for the final list, because publishers sometimes strike late deals that keep a game on the service.
Should you subscribe, upgrade or just buy it?
It depends on how you play.
- You already have Ultimate or PC Game Pass: you’re set. Pre-install and wait for Tuesday.
- You’re on Essential, Premium or Starter: upgrading makes sense if you’ll also play the other October arrivals. If Gears is the only game you care about, a month or two of Ultimate will usually cost less than buying the game.
- You want to keep it forever: then buy it. A Game Pass copy disappears when you cancel or when the game eventually leaves the service, while a purchase is yours. With Play Anywhere, one digital copy covers Xbox and PC.
- You don’t have Game Pass at all: try one month of Ultimate for E-Day and the rest of October’s games, then decide if it’s worth keeping.
Prices vary by country, so check the current rates on Xbox.com before you commit.
FAQs
Is Gears of War: E-Day on Xbox Game Pass?
Yes. It’s included from October 6, 2026, with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
Is it on Game Pass Premium or Essential?
No. Only Ultimate and PC Game Pass get it on day one.
Can I play it on PC with Game Pass?
Yes, through PC Game Pass or Ultimate. It’s also on Steam if you’d rather buy it.
Do Game Pass members get early access?
Not automatically. You need the Premium Upgrade, which costs extra.
Is it on PS5?
No. It’s on Xbox Series X|S and PC only.
When are games leaving Game Pass this month?
The next batch leaves on October 15. Check the Leaving Soon tab in the Xbox app for the final list.
This article reflects information available on October 5, 2026. Game Pass plans, prices and lineups can change, so check Xbox.com for the latest details.
