Microsoft is launching beloved Xbox exclusive on PlayStation for the first time

Gears of War Reloaded — (Image credit: Microsoft)

Microsoft has started opening its doors to other platforms. Gone are the days when the company's first-party games were only released on Xbox and PC, and the company revealed a new Gears of War remaster that'll launch on PlayStation. Of course, it'll also release on Xbox and PC, but that's not surprising.

"As we approach the 20th anniversary of Gears of War in 2026, we’re reflecting on what this franchise means. It’s about the stories we’ve told, the friendships we’ve built, and the unforgettable moments we’ve shared together. With Gears of War: Reloaded, we’re opening that door to more players than ever," said Mike Crump, Studio Head at The Coalition, in the Xbox Wire announcement post.

Outside of the game itself, Gears of War: Reloaded will offer better visuals and audio (standard for these sorts of remasters), cross-play, cross-progression, and the fantastic DLC from the Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, adding some extra value to the package.

Here's the full list of features Microsoft touted in the announcement:

4K resolution
60 FPS in Campaign
120 FPS in Multiplayer
High Dynamic Range (HDR)
Dolby Vision & 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos
7.1.4 3D Spatial Audio
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
4K assets and remastered textures
Enhanced post-processing visual effects
Improved shadows and reflections
Super resolution with improved anti-aliasing
Zero loading screens during Campaign

It's one thing for Microsoft to surprise us with a PlayStation release, but the fact that the company says Xbox and PlayStation players will be able to play with each other is an even bigger surprise. "The Campaign supports two-player co-op, and Versus Multiplayer allows up to 8 players. With cross-play across all platforms, you and your friends can squad up no matter where you play — no Microsoft account required," said Crump in the post.

That doesn't mean there's no reason to use a Microsoft account, as the company said doing so unlocks "cross-progression, so your Campaign and multiplayer progress carries across devices. It also allows you to send invites and play with friends across platforms — like Xbox to PlayStation or Steam to Xbox."

Further building good faith with its players, Microsoft announced that Gears of War: Remastered is available as a free upgrade to players who already owned the digital version of Gears of War: Ultimate Edition before today’s announcement. Microsoft will send a code for Gears of War: Reloaded prior to launch via a direct message to eligible Xbox accounts.

In a world of $80 games, Microsoft announced that the remastered game will launch at $39.99 on August 26, 2025.

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Dave LeClair is the Senior News Editor for Tom's Guide, keeping his finger on the pulse of all things technology. He loves taking the complicated happenings in the tech world and explaining why they matter. Whether Apple is announcing the next big thing in the mobile space or a small startup advancing generative AI, Dave will apply his experience to help you figure out what's happening and why it's relevant to your life.

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