Gears of War: E-Day enters Early Access today for Premium Edition owners and Game Pass subscribers, bringing players back to the series' origins 14 years before the first game. The launch is accompanied by a new gameplay trailer set to Metallica's "For Whom the Bell Tolls" that showcases the reimagined Horde Siege mode and modernized combat movement.
The Coalition has not officially revealed how long Gears of War: E-Day will take to complete or how many missions the campaign will contain. Speculation continues to build as the prequel approaches its 2025 release window on Xbox Series X/S and PC. Players eager for concrete details will need to wait for future updates from the studio.
Compulsion Games now appears as the publisher of South of Midnight on Steam instead of Xbox Game Studios, marking the apparent completion of the studio's independence. The change was spotted by indie developer Michael Klamerus on Bluesky, while other former Xbox studios still show Microsoft as publisher on the platform.
Meta Horizon+ subscribers in supported regions now receive a starter edition of Xbox Game Pass at no extra cost, featuring over 50 games and 10 hours of monthly cloud gaming. The partnership between Xbox and Meta expands cloud streaming access directly to Meta Quest headsets. Eligible members can claim the benefit starting today.
In the wake of Microsoft's recent layoffs, the company has confirmed that several unannounced Xbox games are among the casualties. These undisclosed titles will not see the light of day as a result of the restructuring. The move underscores the broader impact of the layoffs on Xbox's future portfolio.
Xbox Series X/S now features an 'EXCLUSIVE' label on console exclusives, such as the upcoming Gears of War: E-Day, set to launch on October 6. This move aims to clarify exclusivity amid a case-by-case approach, excluding big multiplayer and live-service games. The label highlights titles exclusive to Xbox consoles but may still release on PC.
In a shocking industry move, renowned studios Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and others are reportedly seeking to spin off from Xbox Game Studios. This potential exodus could significantly impact the gaming landscape, affecting upcoming titles and the studios' creative freedom. The reasons behind this move are currently undisclosed, sparking widespread speculation among gamers and industry insiders.
Xbox is reportedly closing Compulsion Games, the studio behind We Happy Few. This move comes after the game's mixed reception and follows a pattern of Xbox Game Studios consolidating its development resources. The closure's impact on the game's support and the studio's future projects is uncertain.
XBOX fans can now bring their favorite game worlds into everyday life with the launch of the XBOX Game Studios Shop, offering official merchandise from Halo, Forza, Gears of War, Fable, and more. The shop features a range of collectibles and everyday gear at various price points, with new items set to roll out throughout the year alongside major game moments. This new destination joins existing Xbox storefronts, catering to fans eager to celebrate their favorite franchises.
