Gears of War is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a gift that takes seconds to claim. Every Gears of War: E-Day player can unlock General RAAM as a free multiplayer character simply by signing in. The anniversary event also adds limited-time Versus and Horde modes before Season 2 begins in December.
How to claim free RAAM in Gears E-Day
The official Xbox Wire anniversary announcement says RAAM is a free gift for every Gears of War: E-Day player. There is no challenge, paid bundle, code, or store purchase attached to the unlock.
- Install the latest Gears of War: E-Day update on Xbox or PC.
- Launch the game while connected to the internet.
- Sign in with the account you normally use for multiplayer.
- Open the multiplayer character selection or customization menu.
- Confirm that RAAM appears as an owned character.
The reward is tied to the game account that claims it. If several people share one console, each player should sign in with their own profile and launch the game separately.
RAAM is a multiplayer character, not a new campaign mission or a replacement campaign skin for Marcus or Dom. Claiming him expands your multiplayer roster without changing story progression.
How long is the free RAAM claim available?
The Coalition announced RAAM for November 7, the exact 20th anniversary of the original Gears of War. The studio also describes the surrounding anniversary celebration as a two-week event. However, the announcement does not publish a separate final deadline for the RAAM gift.
That means players should log in now instead of assuming the character will remain claimable throughout Season 2. If a deadline appears in the in-game news panel, that timer should take priority over estimates based on the broader event.
What to do if RAAM is missing
First, fully close the game rather than leaving it suspended with Quick Resume. Check for an update, restart the console or Xbox app, and launch E-Day again while online. On PC, confirm that the Microsoft Store, Xbox app, and game are signed into the same account.
If the character still does not appear:
- Open the in-game news panel to confirm the anniversary event is active.
- Check whether multiplayer services are online.
- Verify that the update finished installing before the game launched.
- Look in the character customization menu, not the campaign menu.
- Restart once after the first successful online login.
Avoid buying a marketplace listing that promises the same character. The anniversary version is supposed to be granted directly to eligible players.
Which anniversary modes are live?
The two-week celebration includes Guardian in Versus. Each team protects a leader, and eliminating the opposing leader changes the flow of the match. It is a familiar Gears mode built around coordinated pushes rather than isolated eliminations.
Horde Siege receives the For the Queen variant. The supply cache is disabled, so the squad must rely on its chosen loadouts instead of repeatedly restocking from the usual cache. That restriction makes preparation and team roles more important.
These modes are limited-time parts of the anniversary event. RAAM is the instant gift, while the modes are reasons to play during the event rather than only logging in and leaving.
What arrives with Season 2: Legacy?
Season 2: Legacy launches December 1. The Coalition says it will bring back fan-favorite maps, modes, and multiplayer skins inspired by 20 years of Gears. One revealed reward is Solemn Memories Dom, based on the suit Dom wears in the well-known photo with Maria from Gears of War 2.
The studio previously teased the anniversary gift in its Season 1 launch overview, but the new announcement finally identifies RAAM and explains the live modes. Season 2 is a separate update, so claiming RAAM does not require waiting until December.
If you are returning after launch, our guide to Gears of War: E-Day access and Game Pass explains the available routes into the game. PC players can also check what changed in the new Xbox PC app update.
The priority is simple: update E-Day, sign in with the profile you intend to keep using, and confirm RAAM is in the multiplayer roster. The character costs nothing, but waiting for an unpublished deadline is an unnecessary gamble.