Gears of War: E-Day, one of Microsoft's major exclusives, sold 230,000 copies in its first week. Meanwhile, 1.7 million people have already played it through Game Pass. The gap in numbers is simple: a subscription gives access without buying the game, and many choose that route. For Russian players, the question isn't which edition to pick — it's how to pay at all from a country where Visa and Mastercard issued locally don't work abroad.

How much does Gears of War: E-Day and Game Pass cost?

Microsoft's official prices at the time of the news (October 12, 2026) are as follows:

  • Gears of War: E-Day, Standard Edition — $69.99 (prices vary by region).
  • Gears of War: E-Day, Premium Edition — $89.99, includes early access and bonuses.
  • PC Game Pass — $9.99 per month, game included.
  • Game Pass Ultimate — $16.99 per month, includes console and PC games plus cloud gaming.

Prices are for the US region. Other countries may differ, so check the current rate on Microsoft's website or your platform's store. Note: the game is available on Game Pass on day one, so a subscription is the cheapest way to play if you don't plan to replay it for years.

Which cards does Microsoft Store accept and are there regional restrictions?

Microsoft Store accepts Visa, Mastercard, and American Express cards issued in supported regions. Russian cards issued by local banks have not worked for payments in the foreign Microsoft Store since 2022. That means you need a foreign bank card or a virtual card issued outside Russia to buy the game or subscription.

VirtCardPay virtual cards let you pay for Microsoft services from any country. The card is issued in USD or EUR, supports Visa or Mastercard, and works for linking to a Microsoft account. There are no regional restrictions on using a virtual card to pay for digital goods in Microsoft Store — just make sure your balance covers the purchase and your account region matches the card's currency.

How to pay for Gears of War: E-Day or Game Pass with a virtual card: step by step

  1. Issue a virtual card in your VirtCardPay account. Choose USD if your Microsoft account is set to the US region.
  2. Top up your balance with the purchase amount plus a 10–15% buffer for price changes or conversion fees. For the Standard Edition, that's about $77–80; for Game Pass Ultimate, about $19.
  3. Link the card to your Microsoft account. Go to payment settings, select "Add payment method," and enter the virtual card details: number, expiry, CVV.
  4. Make the purchase in Microsoft Store or start the Game Pass subscription. For subscriptions, the first month is charged immediately, then automatically.
  5. Check the charge. If the payment went through, the game appears in your library and the subscription activates instantly.

If you're subscribing, keep the next payment amount on the card a couple of days before the renewal date. Game Pass charges monthly on the same day you signed up. Insufficient funds will pause the subscription and cut off access to games.

What to do if the payment fails

Payment declines in Microsoft Store are common when paying from abroad. Main causes and fixes:

  • Mismatch between account region and card issuing country. Make sure your Microsoft account region matches the card's currency. If the account is Russian and the card is in USD, the payment may fail.
  • Insufficient funds. Top up with a 10–15% buffer — the issuing bank may hold a small amount for verification.
  • 3-D Secure not passed. Ensure authentication is enabled and configured for the virtual card. In VirtCardPay, the confirmation code arrives in your account or email.
  • Online payment limits. Check your card settings for any block on internet purchases.

If the payment is declined, try re-linking the card or contact VirtCardPay support — sometimes the issue is resolved by changing the BIN or retrying after 24 hours.

The bottom line

Gears of War: E-Day is an expensive game, but Game Pass makes it accessible for $10–17 per month. To pay from Russia, you need a virtual card from a foreign bank. The key is to watch your balance before the charge date and set the correct account region. If you don't want to buy the game outright, a one-month subscription is the easiest way to play through the campaign without overpaying.

FAQ

Can I pay for Gears of War: E-Day with a Russian card?
No, Russian bank cards are not accepted in the foreign Microsoft Store. You need a foreign bank card or a virtual card.

How much should I keep on the card for Game Pass Ultimate?
About $19 with a buffer for the first month. After that, track the renewal date and top up in advance.

What happens if the subscription payment fails?
Microsoft will pause the subscription and access to games will stop until the next successful payment. Your account data and achievements are preserved.

Service, game, and franchise names are the property of their respective owners and are mentioned only to describe the payment scenario; VirtCardPay is not affiliated with them.

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Sources

This material is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. Data and service terms may change, so check primary sources before making a payment or investment decision. Mentions of third-party brands and services do not imply official partnership, support, or endorsement by VirtCardPay; partner platforms are marked with a “Partner” badge.
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