Gears of War: E-Day is celebrating the franchise’s twentieth anniversary with special modes and a free RAAM multiplayer character. The Coalition’s November 6 announcement sets out the timings to know before your next session.
Featured image: a Locust close-up supplied on Xbox’s Gears of War: E-Day page. Base-game imagery, not a picture of the RAAM reward. Used with permission from Microsoft.
The anniversary modes are already underway
The two-week event started this week. Versus gets Guardian. Horde Siege’s For the Queen disables the supply cache, leaving squads dependent on their loadouts.
That last restriction is the interesting reason to gather the regular group. Our read: taking away a supply option makes the equipment conversation more consequential. Agree on loadouts before starting, rather than learning mid-fight that nobody brought what the squad needed. The Locust are unlikely to pause for a committee meeting.
No exact end date is specified. Check the in-game event panel when arranging a session.
RAAM’s free claim begins November 7
November 7 is the anniversary and RAAM login-claim date. The studio gives no claim deadline or opening hour.
Put the login on your calendar, then check the reward in the game. A free character is a useful reason to return; it is not a reason to assume every cosmetic shown around the celebration comes with the same offer.
Season 2: Legacy follows on December 1
Legacy brings returning maps, modes and skins, including Solemn Memories Dom’s suit from the Dom-and-Maria photograph in Gears of War 2 for Xbox 360.
Our take: a reference that specific has more personality than another vaguely military outfit. The post names neither returning maps nor that skin’s unlock requirements. Let the reveal happen before filling a roster with guesses.
Check your platform before organizing the session
E-Day is available on Xbox Series X|S and PC, including Steam. The current Xbox store listing says online multiplayer on console requires Game Pass Essential, Premium or Ultimate, sold separately. The free character does not replace access to the game or those console multiplayer requirements.
Revisit Gears with Zypher
Want the earlier campaigns on your shelf? Shop Zypher’s original Gears of War for Xbox 360 and Gears of War 2 for Xbox 360. Check each listing’s condition and included materials before ordering. These older games are separate purchases from E-Day and do not include its anniversary rewards.
Making room? Sell your old games to Zypher through the Buy List; check current eligibility before sending anything in.
Sources checked November 6, 2026: The Coalition’s anniversary announcement, the Xbox store listing linked above, and Xbox’s E-Day page and supplied images. Images used under Microsoft’s screenshot guidelines. Zypher XP is an independent publication.
