Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Gears of War: E-Day – Xbox Game Pass kicks off August 2026 with a mix of big franchise titles, sports action, creative indie games and fan favorites. The latest wave gives subscribers several new experiences to explore, but the biggest attraction is early access to the multiplayer beta for Gears of War: E-Day. Alongside the highly anticipated test, Cricket 26, Date Everything!, Bounty Star, Mio: Memories in Orbit, and several other games will arrive across cloud, console, handheld, and PC.
Gears of War E-Day Open Beta Starts August 6
The Gears of War E-Day Open Beta begins with an early-access period running from August 6 through August 10. Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members can enter during this first weekend, while people who preorder the game will also receive early access. A wider open beta is scheduled for August 13 through August 17.
Xbox is highlighting Horde Siege, an expanded cooperative PvE mode designed around larger maps and bigger battles. The mode places three squads of four players on one battlefield, where each team completes objectives while surviving enemy waves. The full multiplayer experience will also bring back Versus with new movement mechanics and competitive modes. Gears of War: E-Day is scheduled to launch on October 6, 2026.
Available Today
Two games opened the August wave on August 4. Heretic + Hexen brings enhanced versions of the influential dark fantasy shooters to cloud, console, handheld, and PC. The collection improves accessibility, language support, and platform availability while preserving the fast combat that made both games memorable.
Beast of Reincarnation also arrived as a day-one Game Pass release. Developed by Game Freak, the action RPG follows Emma and her canine companion Koo through a dangerous world. Its battle system combines real-time action with turn-based elements, giving subscribers a strong story-driven option.
Coming Soon
The next group begins on August 6 with Monsters are Coming! and PowerWash Simulator 2. Bounty Star follows on August 11, combining third-person mech combat with farming, customization, and base-building mechanics.
Date Everything! also joins the service on August 11. The playful sandbox dating simulator transforms ordinary household objects into 100 fully voiced characters. Players can form unusual relationships with everything from a bed to a smoke alarm, creating an experience unlike anything else in the lineup.
Grounded 2 receives its Into the Abyss update on the same day, while Ball x Pit arrives on August 12. On August 13, Cricket 26 brings its Management Career, expanded Ashes mode, Pro Team features, and enhanced batting controls to cloud, console, and PC. Mio: Memories in Orbit and the PC Game Preview release Sandustry also arrive that day. Egging On closes the announced wave on August 18.
Game Updates
Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members can access a 10-hour EA Play trial for Madden NFL 27 beginning August 6. Subscribers can also claim Call of Duty: Warzone Game Pass Pack 7, featuring operator skins, weapon blueprints, cosmetic items, and a one-hour double weapon XP token.
Leaving August 15
Four games are scheduled to leave Xbox Game Pass on August 15: Menace in Game Preview, Atlas Fallen, Aliens: Fireteam Elite, and Firewatch. Subscribers interested in finishing these titles should prioritize them before the deadline.
Sources
Xbox Wire – Confirmed the August Game Pass lineup, availability dates, membership tiers, updates, benefits, and departing titles.
Video Games Chronicle – Reported the full list of upcoming games and confirmed which titles are leaving on August 15.
GameSpot – Confirmed the August 6–10 early-access beta period and the August 13–17 public beta weekend for Gears of War: E-Day.
Date Everything Official Website – Described the game as a home-based sandbox dating simulator featuring 100 fully voiced characters.
Big Ant Studios – Detailed Cricket 26 features, including Management Career, expanded Ashes content, Pro Team, and improved gameplay controls.
