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The Gears of War: E-Day announcement trailer revisits the melancholy of the original 2006 “Mad World” commercial, but tells a new story: younger Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago confronting the first Locust attack on Sera. Its instrumental music, vulnerable heroes and in-engine presentation make it both a callback to the series’ iconic advertising and an introduction to its origin story.
What is the new “Mad World” trailer about?
Gears of War: E-Day is set 14 years before the original Gears of War. It depicts Emergence Day—the first Locust emergence on Sera—and follows a younger Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago as their relationship begins amid the catastrophe. In an interview published after the Xbox Games Showcase reveal on June 9, 2024, The Coalition’s Matt Searcy called E-Day “the heart of the Gears universe,” saying the event shapes everything that follows. Xbox Wire’s interview explains the trailer’s story and creative intent.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Gears of War: E-Day | Standard Edition | XBOX Series X | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Gears of War E-Day | Premium Edition | XBOX Series X|S and Windows Digital | $99.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Gears of War 3 (Renewed) | Buy on Amazon | |
| 4 |
![Xbox One - Gears Of War 5 - [PAL EU - NO NTSC]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51duB8cYpdL._SL160_.jpg)
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Xbox One - Gears Of War 5 - [PAL EU - NO NTSC] | $16.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Gears of War 3 | $7.98 | Buy on Amazon |
Is it a remake of the old commercial?
No. It is a new game trailer that deliberately recalls the 2006 “Mad World” advertising campaign, rather than a shot-for-shot remake of that commercial or a remake of the original game. The connection is emotional and musical: both use a melancholy presentation to place vulnerability and human cost alongside the threat of the Locust.
The official interview describes the original commercial’s appeal as “heroism rooted in vulnerability, not invincibility.” That idea suits E-Day’s younger Marcus and Dom: the trailer presents them at the beginning of their story, not as the hardened soldiers viewers know from later games.
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#1 Best Overall
- AN ORIGIN STORY BEGINS — Fight alongside Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago in the gripping origin story of Emergence Day, as the Locust Horde erupts from below.
- A DARKER, GRITTIER THREAT — Face reimagined enemies and a terrifying underground invasion that restores the fear, dread, and intensity at the heart of the Gears of War series.
- MULTIPLAYER EVOLVED — Battle in Horde Siege for large‑scale PvE action or prove your skill in refined Versus PvP with greater precision and competitive depth.
- CLASSIC COMBAT, MODERNIZED — Experience signature cover‑based gameplay enhanced with updated movement, traversal, and controls that feel like Gears while playing like something new.
- CO‑OP YOUR WAY — Play online with up to four players across Campaign, Horde Siege, and Versus, or team up locally with 2‑player split‑screen co‑op on console.
Who sings “Mad World” in the trailer?
The E-Day trailer uses an original instrumental reimagining by composer Adam Lastiwka of the Gary Jules cover of “Mad World,” the version associated with the original Gears advertising. It is not presented as a new vocal performance. As Xbox’s Nicole Fawcette put it, “Re-licensing the music was just the beginning”: the creative goal was to recapture the earlier commercial’s emotional effect, not simply reuse its song.
How the original commercial and E-Day trailer differ
| Element | Original 2006 commercial | Gears of War: E-Day trailer |
|---|---|---|
| Story moment | Promotes the original Gears of War and its war against the Locust. | Shows the first Locust emergence, 14 years before the original game. |
| Characters | Marcus appears as the established soldier audiences met in the first game. | Younger Marcus and Dom are beginning the relationship that will define their story. |
| Music | Uses Gary Jules’s cover of “Mad World.” | Uses Adam Lastiwka’s new instrumental reimagining of that cover. |
| Visual presentation | The original commercial used in-engine footage; the interview does not identify its engine. | In-engine footage made with Unreal Engine 5. |
The comparison is about how the trailers use music, character and atmosphere; it does not mean the new trailer reproduces the earlier commercial’s scenes.
Rank #2
- PREMIUM EDITION — Includes Bravo Squad Signature Weapon Pack, five Seasonal Customization Packs starting with the Emergence Pack, plus 1,000 Iron to unlock additional in‑game content.
- AN ORIGIN STORY BEGINS — Fight alongside Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago in the gripping origin story of Emergence Day, as the Locust Horde erupts from below.
- A DARKER, GRITTIER THREAT — Face reimagined enemies and a terrifying underground invasion that restores the fear, dread, and intensity at the heart of the Gears of War series.
- MULTIPLAYER EVOLVED — Battle in Horde Siege for large‑scale PvE action or prove your skill in refined Versus PvP with greater precision and competitive depth.
- CLASSIC COMBAT, MODERNIZED — Experience signature cover‑based gameplay enhanced with updated movement, traversal, and controls that feel like Gears while playing like something new.
What does the trailer demonstrate about the game’s technology?
The footage is in-engine, and creative director Kate Rayner says E-Day uses Unreal Engine 5, with hardware ray-traced lighting and next-generation destruction and gore. She also described it as having “over 100 times more environment and character details than Gears 5.” That figure is a claim made by Rayner in Xbox Wire’s interview, not an independently measured performance result or a promise about frame rate, resolution or gameplay on every device.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is Gears of War: Ultimate Edition?
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition is the remastered Xbox One version of the original Gears of War, the game connected to the 2006 “Mad World” commercial. A franchise reference records its Xbox release as August 25, 2015. It is a way to revisit the original game, not the new E-Day story. Current availability and edition details may vary by retailer and region.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- This item does not work outside US. We cannot guarantee compatibility. You can contact the call center for more information on compatibility.
- Enthralling cinematic story. Experience the epic finale to the Gears of War trilogy
- Unparalleled gameplay
- One of the definitive multiplayer experiences on Xbox LIVE
- Gears of War 3 pushes the envelope for stunning visuals on Xbox 360
Rank #3
- Disc only. Original case and manual not included. Will come packaged in a generic case.
- This renewed game has been cleaned, tested, and shows minimal wear.
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