Key Takeaways
- Gears of War: E-Day players can claim 12 free translucent green weapon skins celebrating Xbox’s 25th anniversary.
- The Xbox Anniversary Weapon Set is available through the game’s in-game store without spending any money.
- The bundle includes skins for popular weapons such as the Lancer, Gnasher, Hammerburst, and Longshot.
- Players should claim the bundle before the store rotates on November 17, 2026. After that, it will move to the Barracks, where it can be obtained using Coins or premium currency.
- The Coalition is also celebrating Gears of War’s 20th anniversary with limited-time multiplayer modes, a free General RAAM character, and additional cosmetic rewards.
- Gears of War: E-Day Season 2, titled Legacy, is scheduled to launch on December 1, bringing back fan-favorite maps, modes, and character skins.
Gears of War: E-Day players have another reason to jump back into the game this weekend, especially those who enjoy collecting weapon cosmetics. The Coalition has released a new set of 12 free weapon skins celebrating Xbox’s 25th anniversary, giving players an opportunity to customize their favorite weapons with the platform’s iconic translucent green design.
The new Xbox Anniversary Weapon Set is available right now through the in-game store, and players do not need to spend any money to claim it. The collection includes cosmetic designs for several recognizable weapons from the Gears of War arsenal, including the Lancer, Gnasher, Hammerburst, and Longshot.
However, there is a small catch. The free bundle will remain available in the store only until its next rotation on November 17, 2026. After that, it will move to the game’s Barracks, where players will be able to obtain it using Coins, the free-to-earn currency, or premium currency.
With Xbox preparing to celebrate its 25th anniversary on November 15, the new skins are part of a much wider celebration taking place across several Xbox games. Gears of War is also marking a major milestone of its own, as the franchise recently celebrated its 20th anniversary with additional events and rewards in E-Day.
Gears of War: E-Day Offers 12 Free Xbox Anniversary Weapon Skins
The new bundle is officially called the Xbox Anniversary Weapon Skin Set, and its main attraction is a collection of 12 weapons featuring a translucent green makeover.
The design takes inspiration from the original Xbox console, particularly its recognizable green translucent aesthetic. It is the same general visual style Microsoft has brought back for its 25th-anniversary hardware and accessories, including the Xbox Series X25 Limited Edition console and special-edition controller.
Several of the weapons included in the collection are among the most recognizable in the Gears of War franchise. The Lancer, Gnasher, Hammerburst, and Longshot are among the weapons receiving the anniversary treatment, giving players plenty of options when customizing their multiplayer loadouts.
Rather than introducing new weapons or gameplay mechanics, the bundle focuses entirely on cosmetics. The skins do not provide additional damage, improved weapon handling, or any competitive advantage. They simply give the existing arsenal a distinctive Xbox-themed appearance.
Players can claim all 12 skins together through the featured section of the Gears of War: E-Day in-game store. There is no promotional code or separate challenge required to unlock the Xbox Anniversary Weapon Set while it is available for free.
How to Claim the Free Xbox Anniversary Weapon Skins in Gears of War: E-Day
Getting the new skins is fairly straightforward. Players simply need to launch Gears of War: E-Day and visit the in-game store to find the Xbox Anniversary Weapon Set.
- Step 1: Launch Gears of War: E-Day on your Xbox or PC.
- Step 2: Open the game’s in-game Store from the main menu.
- Step 3: Find the Xbox Anniversary Weapon Skin Set in the featured section.
- Step 4: Select the bundle and claim it for free.
- Step 5: Head into your weapon customization options to equip the newly unlocked skins.
Players should pay attention to the November 17 deadline. According to Xbox’s official announcement, the bundle will leave the featured store when the next rotation takes place on that date. It will then become available through the Barracks, where players can obtain it using Coins or premium currency.
That means there is a clear advantage to claiming the skins before the rotation. Players who grab the bundle now can get all 12 cosmetics without spending either the game’s free-to-earn currency or real money.
Gears of War Is Also Celebrating Its 20th Anniversary
The Xbox anniversary skins are arriving at an interesting time for the franchise. The original Gears of War launched on November 7, 2006, for Xbox 360, meaning the series officially celebrated its 20th anniversary earlier this month.
The Coalition has been using Gears of War: E-Day as the main destination for these celebrations, introducing limited-time multiplayer modes and special rewards that reference some of the franchise’s most memorable moments.
One of the biggest additions is a free multiplayer character featuring General RAAM, the main antagonist from the original Gears of War. Players can unlock the character simply by logging into E-Day during the anniversary promotion.
The anniversary event also brings two limited-time multiplayer experiences:
- Guardian (Versus): A competitive mode where players must protect their team’s leader while attempting to eliminate the opposing team’s leader.
- For the Queen (Horde Siege): A special variation of Horde Siege in which the supply cache is disabled, forcing squads to rely on their selected loadouts and available resources.
There are additional challenges and cosmetic rewards available during the event, including anniversary-themed banners, emblems, profile icons, character poses, and a separate collection of 20th Anniversary Omen weapon skins.
It is worth distinguishing these rewards from the new Xbox Anniversary Weapon Set. The 12 translucent green skins are obtained directly through the in-game store, while some of the Gears 20th-anniversary cosmetics require players to complete specific challenges.
The separate Omen weapon skin challenge, for example, requires players to earn 100 kills using original Gears weapons in Versus or Horde Siege.
Gears of War: E-Day Season 2 Legacy Arrives December 1
The anniversary celebrations will not end with the current event. The Coalition has already confirmed that Gears of War: E-Day Season 2, titled Legacy, launches on December 1, 2026.
As the name suggests, the upcoming season will focus on celebrating the history of the franchise by bringing back familiar maps, modes, and character skins from previous Gears games.
One of the most interesting reveals so far is the Solemn Memories Dom character skin, which recreates Dominic Santiago’s appearance in the famous wedding photograph featuring him and Maria from Gears of War 2.
It is a particularly meaningful cosmetic for longtime fans because Dom’s relationship with Maria remains one of the most emotional storylines in the series. Bringing that version of the character into E-Day is a nice way for The Coalition to acknowledge the franchise’s history.
The Coalition has also confirmed that the Legacy season will include additional fan-favorite content, although the complete list of returning maps, modes, and cosmetics has yet to be revealed.
Players interested in the anniversary celebrations and upcoming seasonal content can read The Coalition’s official 20 Years of Gears announcement on Xbox Wire.
Xbox’s 25th Anniversary Celebrations Extend Beyond Gears of War
Gears of War: E-Day is not the only Xbox game receiving special anniversary cosmetics. Microsoft is celebrating 25 years of Xbox with a collection of nostalgic rewards and promotional items across several of its major franchises.
The translucent green aesthetic is a major part of the celebration, referencing the original Xbox hardware that helped establish the brand back in 2001.
Other games are also getting their own anniversary-themed additions. Halo: Campaign Evolved has received a special armor style, while Forza Horizon 6 is celebrating with a commemorative vehicle livery. Minecraft players can also claim an Xbox-themed green character customization item.
Even Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 has joined the celebration with an Xbox-inspired translucent green weapon blueprint for the M4.
Xbox’s 25th anniversary officially falls on November 15, 2026, and Microsoft has been using the occasion to celebrate the games, hardware, and communities that have shaped its history.
According to Xbox’s official announcement, the Gears of War: E-Day weapon bundle will move from the in-game store to the Barracks on November 17, making the current free claim period particularly important for players who want to collect it without spending any in-game currency.
Gears of War: E-Day Players Should Claim the Skins Before November 17
Although the new Xbox Anniversary Weapon Set does not add anything that changes how Gears of War: E-Day plays, it is still a nice free addition for players who enjoy customizing their multiplayer equipment.
The translucent green design is a recognizable part of Xbox’s identity, and having 12 weapons receive the anniversary treatment makes the bundle more interesting than a single promotional skin.
More importantly, players currently have an opportunity to claim the entire collection without spending anything. Once the featured store rotates on November 17, the skins will move into the Barracks and will require Coins or premium currency instead.
Between the Xbox 25th-anniversary cosmetics, the free RAAM character, the ongoing Gears 20th-anniversary event, and the upcoming Legacy season, there is plenty happening in E-Day right now.
Anyone who has not returned to the game recently should consider checking out the anniversary rewards before the current promotions rotate. At the very least, grabbing 12 free weapon skins is a pretty good reason to jump back into the fight.
For more details about Microsoft’s wider anniversary celebrations, players can visit the official Xbox 25th-anniversary announcement.
