Gears of War: Reloaded is officially marching onto Xbox, PC, and—for the first time ever—PlayStation 5. But here’s the kicker: if you already own Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, you may not need to spend a single penny to jump into Reloaded. The catch? It depends on how you owned the game before.
If you’re confused about whether you’re eligible for a free upgrade, you’re not alone. Microsoft hasn’t made the process super clear, but we’ve broken it all down for you below.
What Is Gears of War: Reloaded?
Gears of War: Reloaded is more than just another remaster. It’s a full re-imagining of the original Gears of War, rebuilt with modern visuals, smoother mechanics, and quality-of-life improvements. Think of it as a love letter to long-time fans—with a next-gen polish.
Originally launched in 2006, Gears of War defined the cover shooter genre. Its gritty tone, cinematic presentation, and intense gameplay earned it legendary status. Reloaded honors that legacy while making the experience more accessible to new players, including those on PlayStation for the first time.
Who Can Get Gears of War: Reloaded for Free?
If you’ve previously purchased Gears of War: Ultimate Edition—digitally—on either Xbox One or Windows PC, you may be entitled to a free upgrade to Reloaded.
The upgrade comes in the form of a redeemable code sent via Xbox messages.
1. You’re likely eligible if:
- You purchased the digital version of Gears of War: Ultimate Edition on Xbox or PC.
- You still have the game linked to your account.
- You are actively using your Xbox account.
2. You might not get the free upgrade if:
- You only owned the physical disc version of Ultimate Edition.
- You played the game via Game Pass but never purchased it.
- You owned it on another account or no longer have access to the original purchase.
Still No Code? Here’s What You Can Do
Some users are reporting that even though they should be eligible, they haven’t received a message from Xbox yet. If that’s you, don’t panic—codes are still rolling out in waves.
Here are some tips to improve your chances:
- Check All Xbox Messages – Log in to your Xbox or the Xbox mobile app and scroll through your message inbox.
- Reinstall Gears of War: Ultimate Edition – Some users claim reinstalling the game triggered the upgrade message to appear.
- Ensure You’re Using the Correct Account – Make sure you’re checking the Xbox Live account that originally purchased the game.
- Contact Xbox Support – If you’re confident you qualify, reach out to Xbox customer support. They might be able to verify your ownership and issue a code.
How to Redeem the Free Upgrade Code
Once you’ve received the upgrade message from Xbox, claiming your copy of Gears of War: Reloaded is super easy. Just follow these steps:
- Open your Xbox message inbox
- Look for a message that includes a redeemable code
- Then head over to the Xbox redeem page.
- Paste in your code and confirm
- That’s it—you’ll own Gears of War: Reloaded! You’ll be able to pre-load or download the game close to the August 26, 2025 release date.
Can PlayStation Players Get It Free?
Unfortunately, no. This promotion is exclusively for Xbox and PC owners of Gears of War: Ultimate Edition. Since the franchise is owned by Microsoft, the free upgrade offer does not extend to PlayStation users. PS5 players will need to purchase Reloaded separately.
Final Thoughts: Should You Wait or Buy?
If you already own Ultimate Edition, don’t rush to buy Reloaded just yet. There’s a good chance you’ll receive the upgrade code before launch. If you don’t see it by early August, that’s when it might make sense to either Contact support Or, consider purchasing it (if support confirms you’re not eligible). Until then, it’s worth checking your messages regularly.
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