Here's What's In The 'Premium Upgrade' Editions For Fable, Gears & Halo On Xbox

As always, Xbox is continuing the formula of adding Premium Upgrades for the likes of Halo: Campaign Evolved, Gears of War: E-Day and Fable, all of which kicked off their pre-orders following the Xbox Games Showcase on Sunday.

The Premium Upgrade contains all the same content as the Premium Edition for these games, but with one key difference - it doesn't include the base game. Basically, the idea is that the "Upgrade" is for people who can already access the game through Xbox Game Pass, whereas the full-fat Premium Edition is for people to want to buy it outright.

So let's take a look at what's in these Premium Upgrades, shall we? We'll kick off with Halo:

Halo: Campaign Evolved - £20.00 / $20.00

"Requires Halo: Campaign Evolved game (sold separately). Owners of the Premium Edition are not eligible to purchase this product."

PRE-ORDER INCLUDES:
• Up to 5 days early access, beginning July 23, 2026
• Classic 2001 Mark V Armor skin
• Classic 2001 Assault Rifle skin
• Gilded Onyx Armor style
• Gilded Onyx Assault Rifle style

PREMIUM EDITION UPGRADE INCLUDES:
• Alpha Halo Armory Pack, featuring 5 Master Chief Armor skins & 6 weapon skins
• Art of Halo: Campaign Evolved Digital Artbook
• Halo: Hungry Buzzards Digital Short Story
• Digital Game Manual

Gears of War: E-Day - £30.00 / $30.00

"Upgrade* your game to the Gears of War: E-Day Premium Edition and receive the following content:"

• Up to 5-Days Early Access
• Bravo Squad Signature Weapon Pack
• Five Seasonal Customization Packs, starting with the Emergence Pack at launch (the remaining packs will be available as released)
• 1,000 Iron (premium in-game currency)

*Requires base game or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership, all sold separately

Fable - £39.99 / $39.99

"Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass members can purchase the Premium Upgrade to unlock all the additional premium benefits of the Fable Premium Edition. This Premium Upgrade includes the Premium Edition Content Pack, Fable Digital Artbook & Soundtrack, and the Fable: Order of the Hero expansion, coming post-launch.

Fable Premium Edition Content Pack includes two cosmetic armour sets—Splendid Armour and Bastard Armour with matching footwear, legs, and torso pieces—plus three of each in‑game gift: Queen’s Bouquets, Bags of Offal, and Decadent Gold Leaf Bread, which can be given to NPCs to influence perception and earn Reputation.

Continue your story in Fable: Order of the Hero. In this story-driven expansion, you’ll explore a dangerous new region of Albion dominated by a mysterious ancient cult. Earn the cultists’ admiration, rise to a position of authority, and shape the cult's future through your choices. Becoming the new boss does beg a darker question: If the cult suddenly has a vacancy for a new Heroic leader... what happened to the last one?"

As you can see, the Premium Upgrade Editions for each of these games vary in price and content, with Fable arguably being the most interesting one - it already reveals that Order of the Hero will be coming as a post-launch expansion.

It's the early access for all of them that will likely attract the most buys, however, with Halo: Campaign Evolved playable from July 23rd, Gears from October 1st, and Fable from February 18th (2027).

Again, we must reiterate that these Premium Upgrade Editions are primarily targeted at Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass members, and you'll need to pay more for the actual Premium Editions if you want the base game included. Alternatively, there are Standard Editions and Collector's Editions for each of the three titles, and you can see a glimpse at the Collector's Editions (the stock of which is proving hard to find in some cases) down below.

Will you be getting early access and the extra content for any of these games? Tell us in the comments.