Gears of War
News, coverage and analysis tracking Gears of War across the outlets.
Asha Sharma faces tough decisions with limited room for manoeuvre | OpinionXbox CEO Asha Sharma faces significant challenges in turning around the division's financial performance and strategic direction. Despite positive initial messaging and decisions like cutting Game Pass prices, the company must navigate difficult choices regarding its next-generation console, Project Helix, and the future of exclusive titles. With declining revenues and pressure to improve profitability, Sharma's execution of these tough decisions will be critical for Xbox's future.
What We Played – NBA The Run, Rune Dice & 33 ImmortalsSeveral writers share their recent gaming experiences, including NBA 2K Playgrounds, Rune Dice, and 33 Immortals. Other titles mentioned include Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition, Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, God of War, Mortal Shell, and Fallout 2, with discussions on early access and upcoming releases.- Evening InterviewsThe Coalition, developer of Gears of War E-Day, explains their decision to create a prequel for the franchise. The studio felt the prequel concept was too compelling to pass up.
Games Inbox: When will the Zelda: Ocarina Of Time remake be shown again?Readers discuss the Nintendo Switch 2's launch lineup and pricing, with some hoping for a The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake to justify a purchase. Other topics include the definition of 'roguelike' and 'roguelite' games, and potential new business models for consoles, such as installment payments.
Xbox preparing for mass layoffs as Project Helix implied for Christmas 2027Xbox is reportedly preparing for significant layoffs, potentially affecting around 1,000 employees, as the company faces declining revenue despite substantial investments. This comes as Xbox leadership discusses the high cost of console components and the need for new business models for the upcoming 'Project Helix,' rumored for a Christmas 2027 launch. The company has also seen multiple game cancellations and studio closures in recent years.- Xbox Pulled Halo From State Of Play, It’s ClaimedXbox is reportedly reconsidering its strategy by reinstating exclusives like Gears of War. This shift may also involve pulling a Halo trailer from a PlayStation event, potentially straining relations between the two companies and sparking speculation.
"We have found ourselves over extended", new Xbox CEO says amid reports of plans for major job cutsNew Xbox CEO Asha Sharma and head of Xbox Game Studios Matt Booty are reportedly planning significant job cuts across the gaming division. Sharma cited declining revenues despite substantial investments and rising component costs as reasons for a business 'reset'. The planned layoffs follow Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard King and come amid reports of internal questioning regarding the company's broad strategy and complex infrastructure.
Sony angry at Xbox for cutting Halo trailer from State of Play says insiderAn insider report suggests Sony is angered by Microsoft's decision to pull a Halo trailer from a recent State of Play, indicating a potential shift back to Xbox exclusives. This move, affecting games like Gears Of War: E-Day and potentially Forza Horizon 6, has reportedly strained the relationship between the two companies and surprised many within Xbox.
Xbox speedruns 'we're so back' to 'it's so over' pipeline at a speed previously thought…Xbox is facing internal contradictions, with new CEO Asha Sharma announcing free consoles for fans while simultaneously warning employees about overspending on studio acquisitions and impending layoffs. The company's "Xbox Reset" initiative highlights a struggle to balance ambitious growth plans with a reported 3% profit margin, leading to a perception of inconsistent strategy and potential job cuts.
Xbox Finally Has Big Exclusives Again, But Gamers Are Still ConfusedXbox is facing confusion regarding its exclusive game strategy, with recent announcements like Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution being console exclusives while other titles remain multiplatform. This shift back towards exclusives, despite years of opening up its games, has led to criticism about inconsistent communication and strategy from Microsoft executives like Asha Sharma and Matthew Ball. The article questions the long-term viability and clarity of this approach, especially concerning future titles and the impact on player trust.- Xbox Planning Major Layoffs Next Month, Could Involve Studio ClosuresXbox is reportedly planning significant layoffs next month, which may include the closure of some studios. Employees were reportedly shocked by the cancellation of Gears of War. The publisher also announced several new games for the PlayStation 5, including State of Decay 3 and Senua.
- QuoteworthyGears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski believes Xbox is improving its direction, noting that the upcoming 'E-Day' game will not be released on PlayStation 5. He expressed optimism about the current trajectory of the Xbox platform.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Storms Onto Switch 2 Later This YearWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is confirmed to be launching on the Nintendo Switch 2 later this year. While the visuals have been optimized for the new platform and may not be as crisp as on other systems, the core experience is expected to remain intact. The game is noted for its brutal third-person combat and is seen as a potential alternative for fans looking for a Gears of War-like experience on Nintendo hardware.
There's never been an easier time to boycott Microsoft, the most boring video game publisher in the businessThis opinion piece argues that Microsoft's gaming division lacks innovation and momentum, making it an easy target for boycotts. The author criticizes recent game announcements like Halo and Gears of War remakes, and highlights the company's perceived stagnation despite owning numerous studios and franchises. The article suggests that boycotting Microsoft is a small sacrifice given the company's broader business practices and the abundance of alternative games available.
Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski believes Xbox is "steering the 'ship' back in the right direction", as E-Day skips PS5Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski believes Xbox's decision to make Gears of War: E-Day an Xbox console exclusive, rather than releasing it on PlayStation 5, is a positive move for the brand. He suggests that previous multi-platform strategies may have alienated the core Xbox fanbase. The upcoming title will feature Versus and Horde modes and is set to launch on PC and Xbox Series X/S on October 6th.
Games Inbox: Was the summer Nintendo Direct a disappointment?Readers express disappointment with a recent Nintendo Direct, citing a lack of major announcements and an overemphasis on Japanese titles like Xenoblade Chronicles. While some appreciated the third-party support and the reveal of a The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, many felt it lacked significant first-party content for the Nintendo Switch 2 and did not live up to expectations after a long wait.
Gears Of War: E-Day PS5 promo refutes Microsoft's claims about Xbox exclusivityAn official Xbox podcast trailer for Gears Of War: E-Day briefly showed PlayStation 5 and Steam logos, contradicting Microsoft's claims of it being an Xbox exclusive. Despite Xbox's vice president of games marketing Aaron Greenberg denying a last-minute pivot, the inclusion of the PS5 logo suggests it was initially planned for the platform. This incident adds to confusion surrounding Microsoft's evolving exclusivity strategy for its first-party titles.
Games Inbox: What will be in the Nintendo Direct today?Readers speculate on the contents of an upcoming Nintendo Direct, with predictions ranging from a The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake to new Switch 2 titles. Discussions also touch upon Xbox's exclusivity policies, the perceived lack of innovation in modern game design, and the aging gamer demographic.
How That's No Moon's Crossfire evolves the cover-based shooterThat's No Moon is developing a narrative-driven, third-person tactical action-adventure shooter titled Crossfire, a reimagining of Smilegate's multiplayer game. The studio aims to redefine cover-based combat with an "adaptive cover" system that utilizes organic environmental cover, powered by Unreal Engine 5's Nanite and Lumen technologies. Key figures like Taylor Kurosaki and Jacob Minkoff are leading the project, which features characters Layla and Cross.
Here’s What Gears Of War’s Original Designer Thinks About E-DayOriginal Gears of War designer Cliff Bleszinski shared his thoughts on the newly revealed Gears of War: E-Day during the Xbox Games Showcase. He praised the game's technology and destruction but offered specific feedback on enemy difficulty and the iconic chainsaw lancer's origin.