The Gears of War: E-Day campaign supports up to four players in online co-op, or two players in split-screen on the same Xbox Series X|S console. There is no split-screen on PC, but online co-op works across Xbox, the Xbox app on PC and Steam, with Steam players linking an Xbox account to send cross-platform invites.
Below we cover who you play as, the co-op rules, split-screen, online requirements, crossplay and Horde Siege. This guide covers the launch version on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC and Steam, verified against Xbox Wire, the official store pages and The Coalition’s FAQ as of September 28, 2026. There is no PS5 version announced.
Campaign Co-op: Four Players, Four Characters
The campaign follows Bravo Squad, four soldiers caught in the first days of the Locust invasion: Marcus Fenix, Dominic Santiago, and two new characters, Mags Carter (played by Elizabeth Ludlow) and Lucas Reyes (played by Jake Ryan Lozano). Per Xbox Wire’s recap of the E-Day Direct, “the entire campaign can be played by any character from the start, with four-player online co-op and two-player split-screen on console.”
Solo, Xbox Wire’s August hands-on describes playing as Marcus while AI runs the rest of Bravo Squad and revives you when you go down. Co-op players take those seats instead.
The campaign is split into five Acts, going by the official achievement list, and one achievement is built for co-op: You’re My Brother (15 points) asks you to complete all Acts of the campaign on co-op, on any difficulty. Our how long to beat guide covers what a full run takes.
Co-op Rules: Difficulty, Pausing and Saves
The Coalition’s official accessibility guide settles three questions that trip up co-op groups:
- Everyone picks their own difficulty. In co-op, each player can choose their own difficulty independently, so a veteran can play on Insane while a friend picks an easier setting.
- Only the host can pause. Anyone else opening the menu does not stop the action.
- Five campaign save slots. The campaign holds up to five separate playthroughs, which The Coalition suggests for playing with different groups or on different difficulties.
The same guide describes a ping system: while aiming, you can ping enemies, objects or locations, and your squad sees the marker even through walls. Drop-in and drop-out rules have not been detailed.
Split-Screen: Xbox Only
Two-player split-screen is confirmed for the campaign, and the official fine print is blunt: “2-Player Split-Screen: is available for console only.” That means:
- Xbox Series X|S: two players, side by side, on one console. Microsoft’s wording says “console” without excluding Series S.
- PC (Steam or the Xbox app): no split-screen. PC players co-op online only.
Two points the official material does not settle. First, whether a split-screen pair can join two more players online for a full squad of four; some unofficial guides claim this works, but Microsoft has not said so. Second, whether split-screen extends to Horde Siege or Versus: Xbox’s product copy puts split-screen in a sentence that also names those modes, but the xbox.com FAQ mentions it for the campaign only.
What You Need for Online Co-op
On Xbox, online play is behind a subscription. The fine print on the official game page says “Online campaign co-op, Horde Siege, Versus and other multiplayer features require a Game Pass subscription that includes online multiplayer,” and The Coalition’s open beta FAQ puts that at Game Pass Essential or higher. Game Pass Ultimate covers both the game and online play.
On Steam, things are looser. The Coalition’s open beta FAQ says an Xbox or Microsoft account is not required to play on Steam. You only need one to send a cross-platform squad invite. The official wording on the subscription rule does not say whether it applies to PC, so watch for an in-game prompt at launch.
To link an Xbox account on Steam, per the FAQ:
- From the main menu, open the social pane.
- Select the Link Account button in the upper-left corner of the screen.
- Follow the Microsoft sign-in flow.
If linking fails, The Coalition’s beta troubleshooting pointed Steam players to Microsoft’s Gaming Services Repair Tool and to making sure they were signed into the right gamertag in the Xbox app.
Crossplay Between Xbox, Xbox PC and Steam
The Steam store page spells out the cross-platform setup: optional account linking “lets you carry progress with roaming saves, connect with friends, and send cross-platform invites,” then “squad up in 2-4 player online co-op or jump into competitive multiplayer for up to 8 players across supported platforms.” Steam also lists Cross-Platform Multiplayer and Online Co-op among the game’s features.
If you buy on the Xbox store or the Xbox app instead, Xbox Play Anywhere lets one purchase play on both Xbox Series X|S and PC with shared progression and achievements. Our Steam and PC guide compares the two PC storefronts, and our editions guide covers which purchase includes what.
The Coalition has not published details on a crossplay toggle or input-based matchmaking for launch.
Co-op Beyond the Campaign
Co-op is also the heart of E-Day’s multiplayer. Horde Siege, the reworked take on the series’ wave survival mode, drops you in as a four-player squad choosing between the Assault, Marksman, Medic and Breacher classes. Per Xbox Wire, it is a 12-player mode where three squads share a large city map, work on shared objectives and take on world bosses. Its achievements reward teamwork, such as Never Fight Alone for extracting with every squadmate alive on Allfather difficulty.
Versus is 4v4 PvP with Ranked and Social playlists. And per The Coalition’s multiplayer deep dive, the Combat Training mode supports four-player co-op, a low-stakes way to learn the new controls together before a real match. Our multiplayer and Horde Siege guide covers both modes in depth.
If you are lining up a group for launch day, our release time guide has the unlock time in every region, the Gears of War: E-Day guides hub collects every guide, and our best PC co-op games of 2026 list covers what else to play together.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players can play the Gears of War E-Day campaign together?
Up to four players online, each controlling a member of Bravo Squad. Two players can also play in split-screen on one Xbox console.
Does Gears of War E-Day have split-screen on PC?
No. Microsoft’s fine print says two-player split-screen is available on console only. PC players on Steam or the Xbox app co-op online.
Is Gears of War E-Day crossplay between Xbox and Steam?
Yes. The Steam listing confirms cross-platform co-op and multiplayer. Steam players link an Xbox account through the social pane to send cross-platform invites.
Do I need Game Pass to play co-op online?
On Xbox, online co-op requires a Game Pass subscription with online multiplayer, which The Coalition puts at Essential or higher. The Coalition says Steam play does not need an Xbox account.
Can each player choose their own difficulty in co-op?
Yes. Per The Coalition’s accessibility guide, each player in a co-op campaign can set their own difficulty independently.