The return of Xbox exclusives starts with Gears of War and Clockwork Revolution

Xbox just made Gears of War and Clockwork Revolution true exclusives

By Vikhyaat Vivek Published June 8, 2026

Gears of War E-Day Exclusive to Xbox Consoles — Xbox

Xbox fans finally got the sentence many of them have been waiting to hear for a while now. Xbox console exclusives are back!

During its Xbox Games Showcase 2026 recap, Microsoft confirmed that Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution will be Xbox console exclusives. These aren’t timed exclusives either, which means players should not expect it to drop on PlayStation some time later. Expect it to drop on PlayStation some time later. The company also clarified that previously announced multi-platform releases will still follow their original plans.

Xbox swings back at PlayStation, first with Gears

Just a while back Sony announced that first-party titles will remain exclusive to the PlayStation. So Xbox’s latest announcement brings the same energy. The biggest name here is obviously Gears of War: E-Day. Microsoft has confirmed that the prequel launches on October 6, 2026, and will be available on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox on PC, cloud, Game Pass, and Xbox Play Anywhere. The official Xbox page also lists Steam among its ways to play.

Recommended Videos

Console exclusivity is key here because Gears of War: Reloaded previously brought the franchise to PlayStation, making many players wonder if E-Day would follow. Microsoft has now made it clear that the new Gears game is skipping PlayStation at launch and beyond, at least based on the current messaging.

E-Day is set 14 years before the original Gears of War and follows Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago as the Locust Horde first erupts from below. Microsoft says preorders also include early access to the Gears of War: E-Day Open Beta starting August 6, 2026

Clockwork Revolution is another part of the new strategy

The other major confirmation is Clockwork Revolution, inXile Entertainment’s steampunk, time-bending first-person RPG. It is launching in 2027 on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox on PC, cloud, Game Pass, Xbox Play Anywhere, and Steam.

The game puts players in the role of Morgan Vanette and revolves around changing the past to reshape the future of Avalon, a heavily industrialized city ruled by the ruthless Lady Ironwood. Gamers were quick to point out the Bioshock Infinite similarities, but Clockwork wants to distinguish itself by being a deep RPG.

Microsoft is still keeping one foot in the multiplatform world. Halo: Campaign Evolved, for example, is coming to PlayStation as well as Xbox and PC.

Vikhyaat Vivek is a tech journalist and reviewer with seven years of experience covering consumer hardware, with a focus on…

Topics

Gaming

Intel’s Arc G3 Extreme could be the plot twist handheld gaming needed

My time with the MSI Claw and Acer Predator Atlas suggests AMD finally has genuine competition.

Intel Arc G3 Extreme Hands On with Acer Predator Atlas 8

If there’s one gadget category I’ve spent an unhealthy amount of time obsessing over in the past few years, it’s handheld gaming PCs. I’ve put hundreds of hours into the Steam Deck, bought an original ROG Ally for myself, and most recently reviewed the ROG Xbox Ally X in depth. I’ve seen this market evolve from a cool experiment into something that can genuinely replace a gaming laptop for quick sessions on the couch or while travelling. I’ve also experienced its biggest weakness firsthand. No matter how good these machines get, there’s always some compromise lurking around the corner, whether it’s battery life, thermals, performance, or software quirks.

So when I landed at Computex 2026 and got the chance to spend time with Acer’s brand-new Predator Atlas 8 and MSI’s latest Claw 8 EX AI+, I was naturally excited. Not just because they looked cool, but because they represented something the handheld market desperately needed: real competition. Truth be told, Intel’s new Arc G3 Extreme processor might just be the most important handheld announcement we’ve seen in years. And honestly? It’s about time.

Gaming

Xbox’s next era may start with a painful question about console prices

A new Xbox Wire post points to surging parts costs, tighter supply, and more pressure on future console pricing.

Xbox is putting unusual pressure on its own console business, and a new Xbox Wire post gives players a clear reason to watch for an Xbox price hike.

Microsoft says storage and memory prices are climbing fast, while Xbox can’t currently make as many consoles as players want to buy. It also says the business needs a new hardware model and new partnerships as it remains committed to Helix.

Gaming

Steam is ending gift cards because scammers were raising too much hell

Digital gift cards will remain, but physical cards are being retired from stores

Steam gift cards.

Valve is pulling physical Steam gift cards from retail stores, bringing an end to a program that has been around since 2012. The company confirmed, as spotted via SteamDB, that it will no longer send new stock of Steam gift cards to retailers once current supplies run out.

Digital Steam gift cards are not going away. Valve says users will still be able to buy them directly through Steam, and existing physical cards can still be redeemed whenever users choose. Retail stock, however, is expected to disappear by the end of 2026.