Key information
The Xbox exclusive Gears of War: E-Day has reportedly seen a soft commercial launch, with estimated sales reaching 230,000 copies during its first week. These figures, provided by Rhys Elliott of Alinea Analytics, encompass both PC and Xbox platforms.
According to the data, Steam accounts for 168,000 of these sales, while Xbox console and PC sales total 62,000. These unofficial estimates have not been confirmed by Microsoft and are considered low for a flagship title intended to anchor the company's focus on exclusive games.
Elliott suggests that Game Pass is cannibalizing premium revenue, noting that while 1.7 million players accessed the game via the subscription service, standalone copy sales remain limited. Approximately 722,000 users opted for a $30 Premium Edition upgrade to gain early access, leading to an estimated $37 million in total earnings.
Despite the sales figures, the title has received positive reception, including a 9/10 score from IGN's campaign review. Microsoft has previously acknowledged in 2023 documents that base game sales often decline following a title's addition to Game Pass, though the company maintains that the service provides creators and players with increased choice.
