Gears of War: E-Day and Gibson Unite for a Custom Guitar Collection

As we count down to the launch of Gears of War: E-Day, Gibson Guitars and The Coalition are teaming up with a one-of-a-kind collaboration that brings together two legendary brands built on craftsmanship, authenticity, and storytelling.

The collaboration is a natural extension of Gears’ musical identity. Guitar-driven scores have helped define the franchise for nearly two decades, and Gears of War: E-Day composer Adam Lastiwka used Gibson guitars in the recording of the game’s soundtrack.

Inspired by the enduring brotherhood at the heart of Gears, the collection features two custom Gibson guitars based on the iconic Les Paul and SG designs. Created exclusively for Gears of War: E-Day, the guitars honor franchise heroes Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago through striking original artwork from acclaimed artist and illustrator Luke Preece.

“These guitars feel like the culmination of a years-long creative collaboration with Luke, who has been part of Gears of War: E-Day from the very beginning,” says Studio Brand Director Nicole Fawcette. “He loves Gears of War as much as we do, and he has a gift for translating the spirit of the franchise into striking art that makes you feel something.”

For artist Luke Preece, the project was a natural fit. “It brought together everything I love – music, metal, guitars, video games, art, and Gears of War,” he says. “All of those influences found their way into the guitars, so the collaboration felt completely natural.”

That sense of shared creative direction shaped the collaboration from the start. “Nicole and I had already established the visual language for E-Day, and we had a clear plan,” Preece adds. “We work well together and are usually on the same page, which gave us the freedom to focus on making the designs as strong as possible.”

Crafted for Brotherhood

Each guitar began as a hand-drawn concept before being digitally mapped, carefully stenciled, and meticulously hand-painted by Preece. Every detail was designed to capture the spirit of Gears through the lens of two of its most beloved characters.

The collection draws inspiration from two of the games “Emotional Core” pillars,  Brutality and Pathos, ideas that reflect both the grit and sacrifice woven throughout the story of Gears of War: E-Day.

“What I love most about Luke’s work is his ability to communicate big, loud, bold ideas,” Fawcette says. “Rather than simply illustrating Marcus and Dom, we had the opportunity to distill their themes and energy into something iconic.”

Marcus Fenix | Brutality

Represented on Gibson’s legendary Les Paul, Marcus’ guitar embodies the grit, determination, and relentless spirit that have defined the character for nearly two decades.

At the center sits a weathered skull against a COG Tag backdrop, framed by the unmistakable blades of a chainsaw. Splashes of Locust blood and fractured textures evoke the chaos of Emergence Day and the world-shattering events that changed Sera forever. The result is a bold, aggressive design that celebrates one of gaming’s most iconic heroes while paying tribute to the franchise’s signature imagery.

“Marcus’ Les Paul was the hardest to solve. The hardware interrupted some of the original ideas, so we leaned into the circular saw-blade motif. It gave the piece the aggressive, brutal energy we wanted, and the shape fit the body of the guitar perfectly,” says Preece.

Dominic Santiago |  Pathos

Dominic Santiago’s design finds its home on the equally iconic Gibson SG, delivering a more somber and reflective counterpart.

A tearful, battle-worn skull stands against a COG Tag surrounded by barbed wire and vibrant crimson poppies, a powerful symbol of remembrance woven throughout Gears lore. The artwork reflects Dom’s unwavering loyalty, personal sacrifice, and the emotional weight carried by one of the franchise’s most beloved characters.

“Dom’s design came together more naturally through its symbolism,” says Preece. “The wings flowed beautifully with the shape of the SG and connected with the pathos of his story, including the angelic imagery associated with Maria.”

Together, the guitars tell a story of brotherhood, resilience, loss, and fate, themes that remain central to the world of Gears of War.

“Early on, we considered physically distressing the guitars to make them feel battle-worn,” says Fawcette. “In the end, I’m glad we preserved the beauty of the instruments and allowed the artwork itself to carry the weight and intensity.”