Executive Summary
As we approach the latter half of 2025, the speculation surrounding major releases on Xbox Game Pass continues. This updated analysis provides a clear and current picture for two of the most anticipated titles: BioWare’s Dragon Age: The Veilguard and the next installment in the Gears of War saga.
- Dragon Age: The Veilguard: With a release window set for Fall 2025, there has been no official announcementof a day-one launch on Game Pass. The title is expected to follow Electronic Arts’ standard premium release model.
- Gears of War “Reloaded”: The rumor of a remastered collection titled “Reloaded” has not materialized into an official project. It remains unsubstantiated.
- Gears of War: E-Day: This prequel remains the only officially confirmed upcoming title from The Coalition. As a first-party Xbox game, its inclusion in Game Pass on day one is guaranteed upon release. A launch date is still pending.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard — The EA Play Precedent
With Dragon Age: The Veilguard nearing its Fall 2025 launch on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC, the Game Pass question has been definitively answered by industry precedent. As a flagship single-player title from Electronic Arts, The Veilguard is positioned as a premium, full-price release.
The pathway to Game Pass for EA titles is through the EA Play service, which is bundled with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Historically, major EA releases like those in the Battlefield, Star Wars Jedi, or Mass Effect series join the EA Play vault between 6 to 12 months after their initial launch. There is currently no indication that The Veilguard will deviate from this successful model.
What to Expect:
- Launch: A standard premium purchase in Fall 2025.
- EA Play Trial: A 10-hour trial may be available for EA Play members (and thus Game Pass Ultimate subscribers) at launch, though this requires confirmation.
- Game Pass Arrival: Anticipate its inclusion in the EA Play library, and by extension Game Pass, sometime in mid-to-late 2026.
Gears of War: Dispelling Rumors, Focusing on E-Day
Over a year has passed since the reveal of Gears of War: E-Day at the 2024 Xbox Games Showcase, and the landscape for the franchise has become clearer.
The persistent rumors of a Gears of War: Reloaded—envisioned as a comprehensive remaster similar to Halo: The Master Chief Collection—have produced no official announcement from Xbox or The Coalition. With development resources focused on the technologically ambitious E-Day, a separate large-scale remaster project appears unlikely to be revealed in the near term.
The confirmed future is Gears of War: E-Day. This Unreal Engine 5-powered prequel, focusing on the origins of the Locust War, is the studio’s primary project. As with all first-party titles from Xbox Game Studios, its release strategy is straightforward and consumer-friendly:
- Game Pass Confirmation: E-Day is 100% confirmed for a day-one release on Game Pass for both Xbox and PC.
- Release Date: A firm release date has not yet been announced.
The Bottom Line for Players in 2025
To manage your gaming budget and backlog effectively, here is the most realistic outlook:
- For Dragon Age: The Veilguard: Plan for this to be a full-price purchase this fall. Do not expect a day-one Game Pass release. If you are a subscriber, look forward to a potential 10-hour trial and its eventual arrival on the service next year.
- For Gears of War: The next official game, E-Day, is your guaranteed Game Pass title. The “Reloaded” project should be considered defunct as a rumor until Xbox announces otherwise. Keep an eye on future Xbox showcases for a release date for E-Day.
