Gears of War: E-Day has reportedly sold more than 400,000 copies since its debut on October 6, according to estimates from industry journalist Tom Warren. The figure, which covers sales on both Xbox and Steam platforms, suggests the title has not yet reached the half-million mark. Warren noted that while the sales number is known, the critical uncertainty lies in whether Microsoft is satisfied with the revenue generated through Xbox Game Pass subscriptions for this specific release.
The game represents a significant strategic move for Xbox to bolster its exclusive catalog. Unlike other Microsoft titles such as Fable and Forza Horizon 6, Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution are planned exclusively for Xbox Series consoles and PC, with no current plans for releases on PlayStation 5 or the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. This exclusivity strategy has drawn analyst interest, particularly given speculation that the game's budget could reach $500 million, excluding marketing costs.
Although there are no official sales figures released by Microsoft, the title has met critical expectations and is considered the highest-rated entry in the franchise since the original Xbox 360 trilogy. Developed by The Coalition, this third-person shooter serves as a prequel set fourteen years before the first game, featuring Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago during the initial Locust invasion. Despite the positive reception, internal concerns have been raised among The Coalition employees regarding potential future layoffs at Xbox.
Warren highlighted that the game was originally planned for PlayStation 5, noting that Sony's console received Gears of War: Reloaded in 2025. The core question now is whether the income from Game Pass and direct sales on Xbox compensates for the potential lost revenue had a version been released on competing platforms. The Coalition has also indicated that their next project will have a shorter development cycle than previous entries.
Sources: Vandal.