Gears of War: E-Day Co-Op Guide: Online, Split-Screen, Crossplay

Gears of War: E-Day's campaign co-op takes up to 4 players online, each controlling a different member of Bravo Squad — and on Xbox consoles, two of you can share a couch with split-screen. Because the story is literally about a four-soldier fireteam, nobody rides along as a voice on the radio: every seat in the squad is a real player seat. Here's how the modes, platforms, and rules fit together.

How does campaign co-op work in E-Day?

Four players online, one squad member each:

Playing solo? You follow Marcus while the other three run as AI squadmates. The four roles also matter for identity beyond co-op — each character carries a signature weapon in Horde Siege (Fenix's Proto Lancer, Santiago's Gnasher, Reyes' Longshot, Carter's Gut-Puncher), so who you pick shapes your kit. The act-by-act structure you'll be playing through is laid out in our walkthrough hub, and if you're weighing whether the campaign is worth a co-op second pass, our length breakdown covers how runtime shifts.

There's a dedicated achievement for seeing it through together: "You're My Brother" unlocks for completing all Acts in co-op.

Is there split-screen in Gears of War: E-Day?

Yes — 2-player local split-screen, exclusive to Xbox Series X|S. One rule trips people up: only the host can pause, so a bathroom break requires coordinating with the person holding the session, not just hitting start.

Does E-Day co-op have crossplay?

Yes. Online co-op lobbies span Xbox Series X|S, Steam, and the Xbox app — console players can toggle crossplay off if they'd rather narrow the pool. Buying on the Xbox side also means the purchase follows you: Xbox Play Anywhere shares progression between console and PC, and optional Microsoft account linking on Steam enables roaming saves.

Is Horde Siege co-op too?

It's the biggest co-op mode in the game: 12 players split into three 4-player squads, each running its own primary and secondary objectives across large open-zoned maps, with four classes (Assault, Breacher, Marksman, Medic) that level independently. Squad composition and class perks matter more the higher you climb — our Horde Siege guide breaks down the economy, boss events, and extraction missions.

Does co-op change achievements or progress?

Co-op completion counts — "You're My Brother" unlocks for finishing all Acts together, and nothing in the achievement list forces a solo run: collectible counts, Secondary Objectives, and difficulty-based achievements all resolve the same way whether you play alone or as a squad. The full list and its traps are in our achievements guide, and if you're dragging a newer player along, our beginner tips cover the movement overhaul they'll be fighting against.