Gears of War: Why E-Day Stands Out Unexpectedly

Alright, let’s dig in. So, we’re back in Gears of War land after, what, five years? A whole half-decade of silence, and then – bam! – they drop two games like it’s no big deal. One’s Gears of War: Reloaded, a fresh coat over the ancient (by gaming standards) Gears of War 1, and then there’s Gears of War: E-Day, taking us way back to the early Locust War days. Talk about a throwback.

Now, Reloaded is breaking new ground by showing up on PlayStation for the very first time in August. But hold on, E-Day is likely the first Gears title to hit with an $80 price tag. Crazy, right?

This whole Xbox price hike thing is another puzzle. Despite being cheaper on some fronts, Xbox hardware isn’t exactly flying off the shelves when compared to its rivals. They’re running in last place, trailing behind the Nintendo Switch and the PS5. I mean, Microsoft’s moving around 33 million consoles, while Sony’s strutting with 75 million, and Nintendo’s flaunting 150 million sold. It’s kinda wild.

So, they decide to boost prices to, like, counter inflation, tariffs, and whatnot. The Xbox Series S jumps from $300 to $380, and then there’s Series X heading from $500 to $600. And get ready to fork over $80 a pop for their upcoming big-game offerings. This price jolt includes Gears of War: E-Day if it doesn’t debut by Christmas.

How’s this gonna pan out? Hard to tell. E-Day’s $80 might scare off some potential players unless Xbox and The Coalition spring it on PlayStation too, spreading it out on more platforms. But here’s a catch: even if it’s on all the platforms like Xbox, PS5, and PC, that price could still hold it back. Deluxe editions could rocket to $100 – even $200 for collector’s versions, and maybe $700 for some themed console edition. A Gears game without a themed console could be a first since Gears 3. A rebellion, if you will.

Meanwhile, with everyone freaking out over global price shifts, Microsoft’s navigating potential tariffs by going heavy on microtransactions in E-Day’s multiplayer. Could turn it free-to-play, like Halo Infinite, with the campaign retaining its $80 price. Just to keep the masses engaged and opening wallets for skins and goodies.

Phew, that’s a lot to chew on. So, where does that leave us? Somewhere between the excitement of Gears coming back and the reality of an $80 buy-in. You gonna jump on that hype train or sit this one out? Decisions, right?