Gears E-Day 20th anniversary: free RAAM, Season 2 Dec 1
Gears of War: E-Day 20th anniversary event gives every player free RAAM, adds Guardian and For the Queen modes, and Season 2: Legacy lands December 1.
- The anniversary event began on November 6, 2026 and runs for two weeks.
- Every E-Day player can claim RAAM as a free multiplayer character by logging in.
- Limited-time modes: Guardian (Versus) and For the Queen (Horde Siege).
- Season 2: Legacy launches on December 1, 2026.
- Season 2 returns classic maps, modes and skins, including Solemn Memories Dom.
The Gears of War: E-Day 20th anniversary event is live, and it comes with a free multiplayer character for every player. The Coalition says RAAM can be claimed just by logging in, two limited-time modes run for two weeks, and Season 2: Legacy arrives on December 1, 2026.
The details come from "20 Years of Gears," an Xbox Wire post published on November 6, 2026 by Nicole Fawcette, Studio Brand Director at The Coalition. Here is everything the post confirms, what is still unspecified, and how it fits into the game's first month.
What the anniversary event includes
According to Xbox Wire, a two-week anniversary event began on November 6 inside E-Day. The anniversary itself falls on November 7, which is also when the RAAM giveaway lands. The post describes the event as a celebration of the series and promises new rewards, though it does not itemise them.
- Guardian (Versus). A limited-time mode where only one leader survives each round.
- For the Queen (Horde Siege). A limited-time Horde Siege variant where the supply cache is disabled, so you cannot lean on it between waves.
- Free RAAM. Every E-Day player gets the iconic Locust general as a multiplayer character, claimed by logging in during the event.
- New rewards. Xbox Wire mentions additional rewards but does not list them yet.
The two modes are a neat fit for the game's multiplayer structure. Horde Siege is the four-player wave-survival mode with Assault, Marksman, Medic and Breacher classes, and Versus is the 4v4 competitive side with Ranked and Social playlists. Removing the supply cache in For the Queen changes the pacing of Horde, because you can no longer rely on a central stash to restock. In Guardian, the one-leader-survives rule is likely to reward teams that protect a single player, though The Coalition has not published full rules beyond the one-line description.
Season 2: Legacy arrives December 1
The bigger news is the name and date of the next season. Season 2: Legacy launches on December 1, 2026, and The Coalition says it will bring back fan-favorite maps, modes and multiplayer skins from across the franchise's history. The post names one specific cosmetic: a reimagined Dom skin called Solemn Memories Dom, based on the suit he wears in the famous Gears of War 2 photograph with Maria.
That is all Xbox Wire confirms for now. Exactly which classic maps and modes return has not been announced, nor has the season's pass pricing. We will update when The Coalition publishes the season roadmap.
Never Fight Alone.
Nicole Fawcette, The Coalition, "20 Years of Gears," Xbox Wire, November 6, 2026
Where E-Day stands after its first month
E-Day launched worldwide on October 6, 2026, after Premium Edition early access began on October 1, according to the official launch post. It is developed by The Coalition with People Can Fly and published by Xbox Game Studios, and it runs on Unreal Engine 5. The story is set on Emergence Day, 14 years before the original Gears of War, following Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago in the city of Kalona, as summarised on Wikipedia.
The campaign can be played solo, in two-player split-screen on console only, or with up to four players online. If you are still working through it, our E-Day Kalona campaign walkthrough covers the opening chapters and combat basics, and more stories like this one are collected on the news hub.
Platforms, editions and price
E-Day is available on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC, including Steam, with Xbox Play Anywhere support and PC Game Pass listed. Online multiplayer, which the anniversary modes need, requires a Game Pass subscription that includes online multiplayer, sold separately. On the Microsoft Store listing referenced by Xbox Wire, the standard edition is $69.99 (shown discounted to $62.99) and the Premium Edition is $99.99, which includes the Bravo Squad Signature Weapon Pack, five seasonal customization packs and 1,000 Iron. Prices can change by region and over time, so check your store before buying.
What to do now
- Log in before the event endsRAAM is claimed by logging in, and the event runs for two weeks from November 6.
- Try both limited modesGuardian and For the Queen are temporary, so play them while they are available.
- Watch for Season 2 detailsSeason 2: Legacy starts December 1; map and mode lists have not been revealed yet.
Everything above is taken from The Coalition's Xbox Wire post and the official launch post. Anything not stated there, such as the exact rewards and Season 2 maps, is unannounced and not reported here.
FAQ
When does the Gears of War: E-Day anniversary event end?
The event started on November 6, 2026 and runs for two weeks, according to Xbox Wire, so it should wrap up around November 20.
How do I get RAAM in E-Day?
Every E-Day player can claim RAAM as a free multiplayer character by logging in during the event. The anniversary date is November 7, when he is given away.
When does Season 2: Legacy start?
Season 2: Legacy launches on December 1, 2026 and returns maps, modes and multiplayer skins from the franchise's history.
Do I need Game Pass to play the anniversary modes?
Online multiplayer needs a Game Pass subscription that includes online multiplayer, sold separately, as listed on the Microsoft Store.
How we got here
- Oct 6, 2026Gears of War: E-Day launches worldwide.
- Nov 6, 2026Two-week 20th anniversary event begins.
- Nov 7, 2026Anniversary date and RAAM giveaway.
- Dec 1, 2026Season 2: Legacy launches.
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