Xbox Wireless Controller – Gears of War: E-Day Limited Edition

Price and release at a glance

The controller launched one week before the game itself, which arrived on October 6. Xbox promoted it alongside the game's early access on October 1. It is one of two official E-Day controllers; the other is the customisable Xbox Design Lab edition.

The design

The design is inspired by the E-holes the Locust tear through the ground on Emergence Day. The controller's face is 3D-moulded and laser-etched to look like cracked asphalt. Red, glowing cracks spread across it as if an E-hole is breaking through, revealing the Crimson Omen beneath.

• Blacked-out A, B and Y buttons with a transparent red X button
• Red triggers and a transparent D-pad
• Black and red thumbsticks
• Black leather-like textured back and side grips
• A dark silver metallic COG tag on the battery door

Xbox ties the COG tag to the series motto Never Fight Alone, a nod to squad play. Hands-on videos show the glowing-crack texture and red accents up close, which is the best way to judge the finish before buying.

Specs and compatibility

It is a standard Xbox Wireless Controller under the cosmetic design. That means it works with Xbox Series X|S and PC for E-Day, and with phones and tablets for cloud gaming. If you play on Steam, the game has full controller support.

Release timeline

Using it with E-Day on PC

On PC the controller connects through Xbox Wireless or Bluetooth on Windows 10 and 11. E-Day on Steam lists full controller support, and the game lets you fully remap controller buttons. The Xbox app version supports it natively as well.

The default Modern control scheme puts sprint on a left-stick click, which takes some getting used to. Modern Alt is the common alternative. Our beginner tips explain both.

The story behind the look

Xbox says the controller is inspired by the horror and brutality of Emergence Day. Its cracked surface recalls the E-holes the Locust burst out of, the scars that run through the world of the game. The red glow suggests the force of an E-hole erupting from below.

The Crimson Omen at the centre is the series' iconic red skull, also echoed in this site's colour scheme. Paired with the COG tag on the back, the design represents both sides of the war: the Locust breaking through and the soldiers holding the line.

Xbox describes it as a battle-worn design built for fans. If you want to see how the texture catches the light, look for the official reveal trailer and hands-on videos.

Buying tips

• Check the official Xbox controller page first for price and stock.
• The Microsoft Store offers free shipping to eligible addresses.
• Retailers and online stores such as Amazon also carry it; compare against the official $89.99 / £84.99 price.
• Remember it includes no in-game items, so do not pay extra for promised codes.

Does it include in-game rewards?

No. The official product page mentions no in-game items, so buying the controller does not unlock any cosmetics in E-Day. It is a physical collectible only.

If you want in-game extras, the Premium Edition adds seasonal customization packs and 1,000 Iron. The Liquid Death promotion also gives a free pose; see our Liquid Death page.

Stock and restocks

Xbox has not published a restock schedule, so we cannot say when it will be back if it sells out where you are. Many Spanish-speaking players have searched for exactly this. The most reliable answer is the stock status on the official Xbox controller page.

Retailer stock varies by region. Check the Microsoft Store first, then major retailers in your country. Be wary of inflated prices from third-party sellers; the official price is $89.99 or £84.99.

Limited Edition vs Design Lab edition

They are two different controllers with different artwork. Pick the Limited Edition for the ready-made Crimson Omen look, or the Design Lab version if you want to customise. Full details are on our Design Lab page.

Matching accessories

8BitDo released E-Day-themed accessories alongside the controllers. An 8BitDo charging dock for Xbox controllers costs $39.99 and was set to ship on October 9. An 8BitDo E-Day Retro 87 keyboard and Retro R8 mouse were listed for October 30, according to Xbox Wire.

These are made by 8BitDo, not Microsoft, so check each product's own page for compatibility and stock.

Is it worth buying?

Functionally, it is the same as a standard Xbox Wireless Controller, so you are paying for the design. If you are a fan of the series, the Crimson Omen and COG tag details make it one of the more distinctive official controllers. If you only need a gamepad, a standard model does the same job.

Planning your setup? Our PC page covers controller remapping, and the beginner tips explain the Modern control scheme.