At the Xbox Games Showcase during Summer Game Fest, Microsoft dropped a bombshell: the return of the iconic sci-fi shooter series with Gears of War: E-Day. Developed by The Coalition, Xbox’s in-house studio dedicated to all things Gears, this latest installment is poised to reignite the franchise’s fervent fan base.

Set 14 years prior to the events of the original Gears, E-Day delves into the harrowing tale of the first Locust emergence on Sera. With Marcus Fenix at the helm, the game promises an enthralling origin story that will captivate both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Marking the series’ first release since 2019’s Gears 5, E-Day represents Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to elevate Gears of War into a multimedia phenomenon akin to Halo. While previous endeavors, such as the strategy spinoff Gears Tactics and Netflix’s announced live-action film and animated series, have laid the groundwork, E-Day aims to propel the franchise to new heights.

Backed by Unreal Engine 5, the announcement trailer for E-Day pays homage to the iconic “Mad World” commercial, evoking nostalgia while signaling a bold new chapter for the beloved series. Stay tuned for further updates as the gears of war begin to turn once more.