Microsoft is bringing Gears of War to PlayStation for the first time, almost two decades 20 years after the series launched exclusively on Xbox. Gears of War: Reloaded, a remastered version of the 2006 original game, will launch on PlayStation 5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X and Series S, as well as PC on .

Own a PlayStation and want to play Gears of War for the first time? , which includes all post-launch downloadable content at no additional cost.

That means you'll get an extra campaign storyline, all multiplayer maps and additional modes, and classic characters and cosmetics that can be unlocked through progression.

Xbox and PC owners , or can download and play the remastered title as part of Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass subscription. This Netflix-like service offers access to a rotating library of games, including blockbuster titles from Microsoft-owned studios like Activision Blizzard, Bethesda, Arkane Studios and more as well as smaller experiences from indie developers and third-party games from EA.

Xbox Game Pass is available to download — or stream — games on Xbox, PC, iPad, Android phones and tablets, Samsung and LG Smart TVs, and even . Subscriptions start from £9.99, rising to £14.99 to play new releases on day one and access the EA Play library too.

Developer The Coalition has upgraded the 2006 original with support for modern standards like High Dynamic Range (HDR), Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio

But some players won't even need to pay to access Gears of War: Reloaded.

If you're a longtime Xbox fan who already owns a digital copy of Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, the last time that Microsoft re-released the first entry in the Gears of War franchise roughly 10 years ago, you'll receive Gears of War: Reloaded as a free upgrade.

To qualify for this offer, you must have purchased the digital version prior to the announcement of the new game. Microsoft will deliver a code for Gears of War: Reloaded via a direct message to eligible Xbox accounts ahead of the scheduled release date in August.

The US company says this free upgrade is a way of thanking longtime fans of the franchise.

Add Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription to your O2 account

Play Call of Duty, Avowed, Indiana Jones And The Great Circle, Halo: Infinite, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, and dozens more titles from Microsoft Game Studios, Activision Blizzard, Bethesda, and EA. Games are available to stream — or download — on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on launch day. Progress is syncnhed via the cloud, so you can pick-up and continue across your Xbox Series X|S console, PC, smartphone or tablet, to name just a few

Gears of War: Reloaded will support two-player co-op for the campaign — both locally and online — and versus multiplayer for up to eight players. You'll enjoy a significant technical upgrade with Gears of War: Reloaded, which promises a step-up to 4K resolution, 60 frames-per-second in Campaign mode and up to 120 frames-per-second in multiplayer.

The team has worked hard to transfer this almost 20-year-old game into something that doesn't look out-of-place on the latest generation of consoles. Gears of War: Reloaded has removed all loading screens during the single-player and co-op campaign — so you'll be able to jump back into the action in seconds.

It also supports modern standards like High Dynamic Range (HDR), Dolby Vision, and 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos spatial audio. You'll also benefit from Variable Refresh Rate support, remastered textures, enhanced post-processing visual effects, improved shadows and reflections, and super resolution with improved anti-aliasing.

This new Gears of War release doesn't just mark the first time PlayStation owners will be able to experience the award-winning game... but it's launch in August will see PlayStation and Xbox players able to play with one another in the campaign and multiplayer modes.

Yes, Gears of War: Reloaded arrives with cross-platform functionality enabled across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC. That means you'll be able to team up with friends and jump into a campaign or multiplayer match, regardless of what hardware they're playing on, with no Microsoft account required.

Gears of War: Reloaded marks the third time the blockbuster game has been released. The Coalition released screenshots comparing the graphics on the Xbox original, the Ultimate Edition released 10 years ago, and the incoming Reloaded remaster with support for 60 frames-per-second and 4K resolution

However, signing in with a Microsoft account unlocks additional features, including cross-progression that carries your Campaign and multiplayer progress across devices. This also enables you to send invites and play with friends across different platforms, such as Xbox to PlayStation or Steam to Xbox.

Mike Crump, Studio Head at The Coalition, said: "As we approach the 20th anniversary of Gears of War in 2026, we're reflecting on what this franchise means. It's about the stories we've told, the friendships we've built, and the unforgettable moments we've shared together. With Gears of War: Reloaded, we're opening that door to more players than ever."

Gears of War: Reloaded marks another step in Microsoft's strategy of bringing its exclusive franchises to PlayStation, following titles like Forza Horizon 5, Sea of Thieves, Hi-Fi Rush, and Pentiment.

According to the developer, it's worked hard to ensure Gears of War: Reloaded boasts native 4K assets and remastered textures, enhanced post-processing visual effects, and dramatically improved shadows and reflections

This cross-platform approach represents a significant shift for Microsoft, which has traditionally kept its flagship franchises exclusive to Xbox and PC. The move has sparked debate among Xbox loyalists about the value of platform exclusivity, with some questioning whether there's still a compelling reason to choose Xbox hardware over PlayStation.

Gears of War has been a cornerstone of the Xbox brand since 2006, arguably second only to Halo in importance.

Microsoft's approach aligns with its "Xbox Everywhere" strategy, making its games accessible across multiple platforms rather than tying them exclusively to Xbox hardware.

Phil Spencer, Microsoft Gaming CEO, emphasised this shift earlier this year, stating: "The difference that we've seen in the last 20 years is that it's games first, not platform first."

But not everyone is as excited about the prospect of this exclusive franchise making the jump to a rival platform. On X, formerly Twitter, multiple commentators said the decision proved that "Xbox is dead".

There’s 0 reason to buy a Xbox now damn

— Trey (@asunder234) May 5, 2025

Yep, the Xbox community used to say you had the best shooters and the best racers can’t say that no more cause it’s all on PlayStation nation world domination the ultimate gaming machine. Xbox is a loser.

— ???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? (@alucardkyos) May 6, 2025

Forza ✅️ gears of war✅️ halo? ..man xbox console is dead... get a pc you get steam and gamepass and maybe a year later playstation games.....

— Pyrosam (@Pyrosam1) May 5, 2025

The only iconic games Xbox ever had were Gears of War, Halo, Left 4 Dead & Forza, State of Decay. Everything else on Xbox to me is complete garbage. Not even being biased. PlayStation walks circles around Xbox.

— Sace (@sace_OG) September 6, 2024

So are we... Xbox is done.. and it's hilarious after all these years of dipshits defending xbox this is how it finally ends.. just like sega.. lol. Well it's been entertaining messing with you guys all this time.. ????

— KINGCOREY (@_King_george_13) May 5, 2025

Gears of War coming to Playstation is complete admission of Xbox failure.

Game Pass numbers aren't getting the growth they expected. They wanted Netflix, paid billions to acquire studios to stuff it with exclusive content...only to have to abandon it all and go multi-platform. pic.twitter.com/eXoJ64VVVx

— Grummz (@Grummz) May 5, 2025

After all these years it’s safe to say PlayStation has won the console war….

— TWHYSKI (@TWHYSKI) May 5, 2025

???????????????? pic.twitter.com/vcyxzIlF5T

— Playstation_lover_ (@games_lover__) May 5, 2025

"Gears of War coming to Playstation is complete admission of Xbox failure," one verified account posted. "Game Pass numbers aren't getting the growth they expected. They wanted Netflix, paid billions to acquire studios to stuff it with exclusive content...only to have to abandon it all and go multi-platform."

Another described the decision to publish Xbox console exclusives on other platforms as proof that PC remains the best choice for those who want to play titles from the biggest number of publishers.

The post reads: "Forza ✅ gears of war✅ halo? ..man xbox console is dead... get a pc you get steam and gamepass and maybe a year later playstation games....."

"The only iconic games Xbox ever had were Gears of War, Halo, Left 4 Dead & Forza, State of Decay. Everything else on Xbox to me is complete garbage. Not even being biased. PlayStation walks circles around Xbox," another added.

"There’s 0 reason to buy a Xbox now damn," one X user summarised.

I want the industry to grow and to have more fans of what I like. I can’t understand how people console war in this day and age to an insane level of cringe. Just play your games man thats what I was told we wanted to do.

— Carl of RNG (@Rngcarl) May 5, 2025

Others were baffled by the level of vitrole around the announcement. One video game fan shared: "I want the industry to grow and to have more fans of what I like. I can’t understand how people console war in this day and age to an insane level of cringe. Just play your games man thats what I was told we wanted to do."

So, what's next for Gears of War? The Coalition has already confirmed that it's working on the next mainline entry in the series, Gears of War: E-Day, a prequel depicting the Locust invasion on Emergence Day. It's unclear whether this blockbuster new entry will be available on PlayStation 5 on day one, or whether there will be some timed exclusivity, like Microsoft recently did with its Indiana Jones And The Great Circle release.

With Gears of War joining Forza on PlayStation hardware for the first time, speculation grows about whether Halo might be next to cross the console divide. This multiplatform strategy suggests Microsoft is prioritising software and services over hardware sales in its gaming business.