We have confirmation of what we already assumed: Gears 5 is officially the best debut for an Xbox Game Studios release this generation.

How does this work in the Xbox Game Pass generation? Well, a lot of people had access to the game if they subscribed to the service, so sales might not necessarily be a benchmark worth mentioning. That being said, downloads matter. Just like in music with services like Apple Music and Spotify, paying for a service and downloading something still counts. With that in mind, over 3 million people played Gears 5 in its first weekend available. It’s a pretty good turnout, especially considering that Xbox Live crashed the day the game released.

In its own press release, Microsoft also pointed out the game is a success in terms of accessibility. The game features “full controller remapping, single stick movement, Xbox Adaptive Controller support, narrated UI and menus, improved subtitles, and more,” according to the Xbox Wire blog. Accessibility and the Xbox Game Pass service are two things that stand out this generation for Microsoft, as is backwards compatibility. Microsoft is proving it is willing to try new things to bring in players, including allowing more people to play the way their body allows.

Of course, that leaves out new games, something the Xbox One has lacked throughout its lifespan. That being said, Gears 5 was a great game. It’s well worth a play through, and the multiplayer is a ton of fun, harkening back to the days where Gears, Halo, and even Forza made Microsoft feel unstoppable. Sony stepped up their game big time, but Gears 5 is a much needed win for Microsoft heading into the holiday season. Download Gears 5 with an Xbox Game Pass now on the Xbox Store, or find a copy in Xbox One X and Xbox One S bundles in retailers.

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