After 'Crunching Hard' Through Their Final Months, Gears of War: E-Day Developers Are Reportedly Now Expecting Layoffs
Developers fear cuts may follow launch as Microsoft’s gaming division faces another round of layoffs and a bonus payout tied to employment status.
- On Thursday, October 1, 2026, Gears of War: E-Day enters early access for Premium Edition owners, depicting the Locust Horde's surprise invasion of Planet Earth 14 years before the original game.
- Microsoft CEO Asha Sharma's plan to cut 3,200 jobs across the division has created widespread instability; The Coalition team initially felt insulated due to their work on E-Day, but recent layoffs have shattered that confidence.
- Staff at The Coalition are now "on edge" following the recent layoff of story director Juan Vaca just two weeks before release, with employees fearing further redundancies as the studio approaches the October 6 launch.
- Developers must be full-time employees to receive "Metacritic bonuses" based on critics' reviews; leadership stated this payout "should be near the end of October," leaving laid-off staff unsure of eligibility.
- Despite the game's release, the mood remains "muted" as developers anticipate potential reorganization under Activision or further cuts later this year, with sources describing a "cautious" environment until three months post-launch.
47 Articles
47 Articles
Gears of War: E-Day Reviews: Marcus Fenix returns in style. Read what gamers are saying
Gears of War: E-Day is set to hit your screens on October 6, 2026. This highly anticipated prequel rejuvenates fan-favorite characters, Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago, as they tackle the chaos of Emergence Day. With online co-op for up to four players and an exciting competitive multiplayer mode, players can experience thrilling Horde Siege challenges in teams of 12.
The Independent
The Independent (US)Gears of War returns to its roots for E-Day, but it’s not perfect – here’s my review
IndyBest reviews the Gears of War: E-Day campaign, analysing its story, gameplay and presentation. It’s a return to the series’ roots but there are issues.
Gears of War: E-Day is a great game launching at a terrible time
There are few blockbuster games that are as confident as Gears of War: E-Day. A prequel to one of Xbox's most transformative titles, E-Day knows exactly what it wants to be: a brutal, tense, and self-aware action game, one that is stronger because it doesn't deviate from that premise. Twenty years since the original Gears […]
The new Gears of War: E-Day promises to go back to its origins, bringing some more terrifying Locusts than ever, and yes, it does more than ever.
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