After 'Crunching Hard' Through Their Final Months, Gears of War: E-Day Developers Are Reportedly Now Expecting Layoffs
Staff fear layoffs as Microsoft’s gaming division cuts 3,200 jobs and a Metacritic bonus may depend on staying employed through payout.
- On Thursday, October 1, 2026, Microsoft launched early access for Gears of War: E-Day, developed by The Coalition, ahead of the full release scheduled for October 6 on Xbox and PC.
- Following 3,200 job cuts across Microsoft's gaming division announced in July, The Coalition staff describe the mood as "cautious," with remaining layoffs said to be "hanging over our heads."
- Story director Juan Vaca was laid off two weeks ago, leaving remaining staff concerned that further cuts could disqualify them from receiving performance-based Metacritic bonuses tied to the game's October payout.
- While Gears of War: E-Day delivers the series' signature cover-shooter action across a 20-25 hour campaign, critics noted pacing issues within semi-open-world sections occasionally disrupt intensity on Xbox Series S.
- These tensions reflect broader industry challenges, as developers face persistent job insecurity due to the boom-and-bust nature of projects costing hundreds of millions of dollars that no longer need large teams post-release.
44 Articles
44 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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