XBOX Design Lab Adds a Gears of War: E-Day Controller

With Gears of War: E-Day about eight weeks out from its October 6 launch, XBOX is getting the accessory side of the campaign underway. Preorders for the Gears of War: E-Day Limited Edition XBOX Wireless Controller opened today at participating retailers worldwide, including the Microsoft Store, priced at $89.99. A second, customizable version follows through XBOX Design Lab starting September 30.

The Limited Edition controller takes its design from the E-holes that tore open the surface of Sera, with 3D molded, laser-etched cracked asphalt across the front and red glowing cracks running through it to expose the Crimson Omen underneath. The ABXY buttons are blacked out except for a transparent red X, and the triggers are red to match while the D-pad is transparent. A dark silver metallic COG tag sits on the battery door, and the grips are textured. It’s a busy design, but the pieces line up with what Emergence Day actually did to the place.

The Design Lab version, arriving September 30, is built around exclusive artwork from heavy metal illustrator Luke Preece. The custom top case puts a skull on top of crossed Lancers, ringed by more skulls and the kind of battle damage you’d expect from a war between the COG and the Locust Horde. From there, the usual Design Lab options apply, including metallic triggers and D-pads, rubberized side and back grips, and a personalized engraving. XBOX hasn’t shared pricing for that configuration yet.

Rounding out the set is the 8BitDo Ultimate Charging Dock for XBOX Controllers – Gears of War: E-Day, an officially licensed dock that works with XBOX Series X|S and XBOX One wireless controllers and ships with an 8BitDo rechargeable battery pack. It uses magnetic alignment so the controller drops into place on its own, and it has built-in protection against overcharging and overheating. It’s finished to match the controller, which is the whole point of a dock that sits on your desk all day.

Special edition XBOX controllers have been arriving at a steady rate this year, following the Forza Horizon 6 controller and headset in April. As for the game itself, E-Day is an origin story set 14 years before the original Gears of War, following younger versions of Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago through the Locust invasion, built in Unreal Engine 5 by The Coalition with People Can Fly as a co-development partner. Both controllers go on public display for the first time at the XBOX booth at gamescom 2026, where the E-Day campaign also makes its playable debut.

Gears of War: E-Day Limited Edition Controllers | Reveal Trailer