In a pair of announcements today, Microsoft has confirmed that all four games in the Gears of War series will be headed to the Xbox Ones Backwards Compatibility program. Starting immediately, August 3rd 2015, Gears of War 1 and Shadow Complex is available to members of the Xbox Preview Program for testing. While gamers who buy and play Gears of War: Ultimate Edition prior to New Years Day 2016 will receive a free digital copy of Gears of War 2, Gears of War 3, and Gears of War: Judgement running via the backwards compatibility program. Do take notice of the attached disclaimer at the bottom, the free bonus games are only available to members who purchase Gears of War: Ultimate Edition digitally on Xbox Live. There has been no mention of any bonus for gamers who intend on purchasing the retail disc version of the game.

“We are honored to confirm not only will the entire series of Gears of War games for Xbox 360 come to the Backward Compatibility program when it becomes generally available, but that we’ll also be giving tokens for the collection to everyone who plays Gears of War: Ultimate Edition on Xbox Live between August 25 and Dec. 31st 2015. We’ll have more information on this program and Gears of War: Ultimate Edition on www.gearsofwar.com in the future. More information about the backward compatibility program generally can be located at www.xbox.com/xbox-one/backward-compatibility.”

For a limited time, purchase and play Gears of War: Ultimate Edition and get the entire Xbox 360 Gears of War collection for use on Xbox One!*

*Includes Xbox 360 titles Gears of War, Gears of War 2, Gears of War 3 and Gears of War: Judgment. Each title will work as part of the Xbox One Backward Compatibility program upon Backwards Compatibility general availability – expected fall 2015. To qualify purchase and play Gears of War: Ultimate Edition on Xbox Live between August 25, 2015 and December 31 2015. Must be 17+. Xbox One, broadband internet (ISP fees apply) and Xbox Live membership required. Dates, content, and features subject to change. Not available in all markets. See www.GearsofWar.com for the latest information. Xbox One Backward Compatibility feature works with select Xbox 360 games, see http://www.xbox.com/xbox-one/backward-compatibility. Xbox 360 accessories and Kinect, and games requiring those accessories, are not compatible with Xbox One consoles. Xbox Live and broadband internet required for initial download of game to console.