From Kotaku · Ethan Gach · · 1m 50s
Xbox's $500m Gears of War E-Day Cost
Xbox's $500m Gears of War E-Day game may not recoup costs but could boost platform loyalty.
In brief
Xbox's $500m Gears of War E-Day game may not recoup costs but could boost platform loyalty. Xbox's Gears of War: E-Day cost over $500 million to make and is unlikely to recoup costs but could help rebuild Xbox user activity as a console exclusive. Originally reported by Kotaku.
Gears of War: E-Day Cost
Gears of War: E-Day cost over $500 million to make before marketing, making it one of the most expensive console exclusives ever.
“insane and over $400 million”
Early Sales Numbers
E-Day sold 230,000 copies in its first week and generated $37 million in revenue, mostly from Game Pass Premium Edition upgrades.
“230,000 copies”
Multiplatform Impact
E-Day sold fewer than 100,000 copies on Steam and would need millions of sales across all platforms to recoup its $500 million cost.
“fewer than 100,000 copies”
Xbox Exclusivity Debate
Xbox could turn E-Day into a console exclusive to rebuild user activity on Xbox Series X/S without adding significant revenue.
“console exclusive”
Forza Horizon 6 Delay
Forza Horizon 6 was delayed from PS5 release to January 2027 to avoid competition with major holiday game releases.
“January 2027”
Xbox Insider Survey
An Xbox Insider survey suggests users would turn on their Xbox console if E-Day became a console exclusive.
“turn on the Xbox console they already own”
Dreamcast Moment
Ex-PlayStation executive Shawn Layden called Xbox's potential shift to exclusivity its 'Dreamcast moment' to regain platform competitiveness.
“Dreamcast moment”
E-Day's Financial Risk
E-Day's $500 million cost is unlikely to be recouped even as a console exclusive, risking Xbox's financial strategy for the next console generation.
“unlikely to be recouped”
Xbox's Strategy Shift
Xbox is considering making future titles console-exclusive to rebuild user activity and platform loyalty without relying on multiplatform sales.
“console-exclusive to Xbox”
Long-Term Benefits
E-Day could help Xbox build buzz and encourage players to return to the platform during holiday shopping periods.
“holiday period”
Xbox's Future
Xbox must choose between competing with PlayStation or becoming the biggest game publisher in the world.
“biggest game publisher”
The headline
Xbox's Gears of War: E-Day cost over $500 million to make and is unlikely to recoup costs but could help rebuild Xbox user activity as a console exclusive.
