Gears of War: E-Day Limited Edition with Xbox Design Lab

What the Design Lab edition is

Xbox released two official E-Day controllers. One is a ready-made Limited Edition. The other is this Design Lab version, which starts from exclusive E-Day artwork and lets you customise the rest.

Pre-orders for the ready-made controller opened on August 12, while the Design Lab option went live on September 30, 2026. Both appear on the same official Xbox controller page. Xbox announced the Design Lab version in the same reveal as the Limited Edition.

The Luke Preece artwork

The design was created by Luke Preece, a well-known UK heavy metal illustrator. The custom top case centres on a skull perched above crossed Lancers. More skulls and battle-worn details surround it, inspired by the war between the COG and the Locust.

VGC described it as two crossed Chainsaw Lancers ringed by the skulls of your enemies. It is a very different look from the Limited Edition's cracked-asphalt Crimson Omen. Preece also designed the SteelBook in the Collector's Edition, so the two share a visual style.

Customisation options

• Metallic triggers in place of the standard ones
• Metallic D-pad
• Rubberised side and back grips, instead of the leather-like grips on the ready-made version
• Personalised engraving

These options are layered on top of the exclusive top case. The official page notes that additional customisation costs may apply. Expect the final price to change as you add options in the Design Lab builder.

How much does it cost?

There is no single fixed price, because it depends on what you choose. Reports at the reveal did not give a Design Lab price, and the official page only says extra customisation may cost more. The final total is shown when you configure and order.

For comparison, the ready-made Limited Edition costs $89.99 or £84.99. If you just want an E-Day controller at a known price, that is the simpler choice. See our Limited Edition controller page.

Design Lab vs the ready-made Limited Edition

They are two separate products with different art. Choose Design Lab for a personal touch, or the Limited Edition for the transparent red X button, red triggers and COG tag battery door.

Specs

Under the custom shell, it is a standard Xbox Wireless Controller. It connects with Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth to Xbox consoles, Windows 10/11 PCs, phones and tablets. It runs on AA batteries, rated for up to 40 hours.

The Microsoft Store offers free shipping to eligible addresses. Design Lab controllers are made to order, so check the delivery estimate shown when you order.

Timeline

The Design Lab edition went live a week before the game, so players could have a custom controller in time for launch. Because each one is made to order, delivery takes longer than buying the ready-made version off the shelf.

Which one should you choose?

• Choose Design Lab if you want Luke Preece's artwork, metallic parts, rubberised grips or your own engraving.
• Choose the Limited Edition if you want the Crimson Omen design with its transparent red X button, red triggers and COG tag battery door at a fixed price.
• Buy both if you are a collector — they share no artwork, so they look nothing alike side by side.

Both controllers perform identically, since each is an Xbox Wireless Controller underneath. The choice is purely about looks and personalisation. If you also own the Collector's Edition, the Design Lab art matches its SteelBook.

Using it with E-Day

On Xbox Series X|S it works like any controller. On PC it connects via Xbox Wireless or Bluetooth, and E-Day supports full controller remapping. The Steam version lists full controller support.

Tips for your build

The top case artwork is fixed, so build the rest of the controller around it. Metallic triggers and a metallic D-pad complement the battle-worn look of the art. Rubberised grips change the feel as well as the look, replacing the leather-like grips used on the ready-made version.

Engraving is the most personal touch, and a good way to make the controller unmistakably yours. Check the total price before you check out, since each add-on can raise the cost. Preview the finished controller from several angles in the builder before ordering, because made-to-order controllers are personalised to you. Double-check the spelling of any engraving before you confirm.

In-game rewards

Nothing on the official page mentions in-game items for either controller, so do not expect a cosmetic code in the box. The controller is a physical collectible. For in-game extras, look at the Premium Edition or the Liquid Death promotion.

Accessories and where to see it

8BitDo released an E-Day charging dock for Xbox controllers at $39.99, shipping from October 9. It also listed an E-Day Retro 87 keyboard and Retro R8 mouse for October 30. These pair well with either controller.

Xbox's official reveal trailer, also shared by IGN, shows both controllers and the Design Lab artwork. Unboxing videos of the Design Lab version are still scarce. The official Xbox page remains the best place to preview it.

How to order

1. Open the official Gears of War: E-Day Xbox Wireless Controllers page on xbox.com.
2. Choose "Gears of War: E-Day Limited Edition with Xbox Design Lab".
3. Add the metallic triggers, D-pad, rubberised grips and engraving you want.
4. Review the final price, then check out through the Microsoft Store.