20 Years of Gears: Anniversary Event and Season 2 Details

In a heartfelt message from Nicole Fawcette, Studio Brand Director at The Coalition, the studio reflected on the journey of the franchise since its debut on Xbox 360. Beyond the gameplay mechanics and the iconic imagery of the series, Fawcette emphasized the community that has grown around the games, citing stories of lifelong friendships, family traditions in Horde mode, and the emotional support the series has provided to players over the years.

Anniversary Event and Free Rewards

To kick off the celebrations, a two-week anniversary event is currently active in Gears of War: E-Day. This event introduces limited-time modes designed to test players' skills in both competitive and cooperative settings:

As a special gift for the anniversary, The Coalition announced that RAAM will be available as a free multiplayer character for all Gears of War: E-Day players. To claim the character, players simply need to log in to the game.

Season 2: Legacy

The celebrations will continue on December 1 with the launch of Season 2, titled 'Legacy.' This season is dedicated to honoring the franchise's greatest hits by reintegrating fan-favorite maps, modes, and character skins into the battlefield.

One of the highlighted features of the upcoming season is the introduction of reimagined character skins. This includes the 'Solemn Memories Dom' skin, which depicts Dominic Santiago in the suit he wore in the iconic photograph with Maria from Gears of War 2.

The scope of Gears of War: E-Day extends beyond its origin story campaign, offering significant overhauls to the franchise's most beloved multiplayer modes. Built from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5, the title aims to deliver a more immersive and technically advanced experience, supporting 4K resolution and up to 60FPS on compatible displays.

Evolution of Multiplayer: Horde Siege and Versus

The iconic PvE wave survival mode, Horde Siege, is being reimagined for larger maps and more players. This evolved version focuses on intense, large-scale battles where players can form 4-player squads to defend cities under siege. Players will choose from specific classes—Assault, Marksman, Medic, or Breacher—to tackle shared objectives and take down world bosses. Success in these matches will allow players to earn rewards, unlock customization, and improve loadouts for subsequent sessions.

The Versus PvP mode is also returning with a focus on refined 4v4 competition. The mode will feature entirely new maps and will offer two distinct ways to play: a ranked ladder for competitive players and social playlists for more casual matches. While the core cover-based combat remains, the movement system has been modernized to include more fluid actions such as jumping, vaulting, sliding, and flanking, adding a new layer of verticality to the combat.

Atmosphere and Combat Mechanics

To emphasize the horror elements of the Emergence Day setting, the game adopts a darker and grittier tone. The developers aim to restore a sense of dread through reimagined enemies, including all-new creatures and villains alongside familiar threats. This is paired with a combat system that blends iconic weaponry with new tools designed specifically for brutal, close-quarters encounters.

Technical Requirements and Availability

• Online multiplayer (Campaign co-op, Horde Siege, and Versus) requires a Game Pass subscription that includes online multiplayer.
• 2-Player Split-Screen is available on consoles only.
• 4K and 60FPS performance requires a compatible display.
• A Microsoft account and significant broadband internet connection are required for downloads and updates.