Gears of War
News, coverage and analysis tracking Gears of War across the outlets.
Rather than rip and tear id Software apart, Xbox should have put the FPS pioneers on Gears of WarFollowing significant layoffs at Xbox Game Studios, including a reported 50% staff reduction at id Software, the article argues that Xbox should leverage id Software's expertise for the Gears of War franchise. It suggests that id's talent for creating visceral first-person shooter experiences would be a better fit for Gears of War than continuing with their own struggling franchises like Quake Champions or Rage 2.
Games Inbox: Is the Xbox doomed to failure?Readers express concerns about the future of Xbox, citing recent studio closures and a reliance on aging franchises like Halo and Gears of War. The discussion also touches on the shift towards digital-only games, the impact on game preservation, and the potential for companies like Sony to influence Kickstarter campaigns.
The Xbox reset is not going to work if it’s just a retreat to the pastMicrosoft's Xbox division continues to face significant challenges, marked by recurring mass layoffs and declining results. Despite the high volume of job cuts and studio closures, the company's future strategy remains unclear, with speculation that new leadership may be attempting to revert to past successes rather than innovate. The article questions the sustainability of this approach, especially concerning hardware sales and the exclusivity of major franchises like The Elder Scrolls 6.
Xbox cuts 3,200 staff as four studios to exit Microsoft – Arkane under reviewMicrosoft has announced significant layoffs affecting approximately 3,200 employees within its Xbox division, with 1,600 staff being let go immediately. Four studios, including Ninja Theory and Undead Labs, are becoming independent or being sold off, while Arkane Lyon's future is under review. This restructuring follows a period of rapid developer acquisitions and aims to refocus Xbox's business strategy.- Xbox May Shut Down Obsidian Entertainment, TooNew reports indicate that Xbox is considering shutting down or selling Obsidian Entertainment, the studio behind games like Avowed and Fallout: New Vegas. This potential closure is part of a larger plan by Xbox to reallocate funds towards its major franchises, potentially affecting other subsidiaries like Compulsion Games, Double Fine, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs.
"Call of Duty is bigger than the Marvel Cinematic Universe": New Xbox CEO brags as more of its games turn to…Xbox CEO Asha Sharma claims the Call of Duty franchise is larger than the Marvel Cinematic Universe, citing its success in video games and upcoming adaptations. While the MCU has grossed over $30 billion, Sharma believes Call of Duty's consistent sales and popular free-to-play titles give it broader cultural impact. Xbox is expanding its gaming IPs into film and TV, with projects based on Gears of War, Sea of Thieves, Minecraft, Fallout, and Wolfenstein in development.
Sea of Thieves is becoming a live-action movie, the Gears of War film apparently has a plot, and Microsoft's considering bringing the Halo TV show backMicrosoft is expanding its entertainment ventures beyond gaming, with a live-action Sea of Thieves movie in development and plot details emerging for the Gears of War film. The company is also considering reviving the Halo TV series. These projects highlight Microsoft's strategy to leverage its game franchises across various media platforms, even as the company faces potential restructuring and studio closures.
Netflix's Gears of War movie sounds like it will be set just before the events of the first gameNetflix's upcoming Gears of War movie will serve as a prequel, focusing on the origin story of Delta Squad and their fight against the Locust creatures. Xbox executive Matt Booty highlighted the 'Never Fight Alone' theme as a strong narrative starting point. The film's setting appears to precede the events of the original Gears of War game, potentially aligning with the timeline of the recently announced Gears of War: E-Day.
Call of Duty is “Bigger Than The Marvel Cinematic Universe”, Claims Xbox CEOXbox CEO Asha Sharma and CCO Matt Booty discussed the immense success and cultural impact of Xbox's franchises in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. Sharma claimed Call of Duty is larger than the Marvel Cinematic Universe, while Booty detailed upcoming adaptations for Gears of War and the continued investment in Halo.
Gears of War Netflix Film Explores Delta Squad’s Early DaysNetflix is developing a Gears of War film with director David Leitch, which will explore the origin story of Delta Squad and their fight against the Locust. Xbox CCO Matt Booty emphasized the game's themes of brotherhood and teamwork as central to the narrative.
Xbox has over a dozen film and TV adaptations in the works, including a Sea of Thieves movie from Spider-Man's…Xbox is developing a live-action movie based on the pirate adventure game Sea of Thieves, in partnership with Destin Daniel Cretton's production company Hisako Films. This adaptation is part of Xbox's broader slate of video game-to-screen projects, which includes upcoming films for Gears of War and Death Stranding, and a TV show for Wolfenstein. No director or writer has been attached to the Sea of Thieves movie yet.
Gears of War: E-Day brings back a feature the series hasn't supported in over 10 years, and The Coalition says…Gears of War: E-Day, launching October 6, 2026, for PC and Xbox Series X, will feature four-player campaign co-op, a feature not seen in the series for over 10 years. The Coalition is bringing back this mode to reflect the series' core DNA of squad-based storytelling, allowing players to experience the origin of Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago's bromance from multiple perspectives. This ambitious entry will also support two-player split-screen co-op.
Former PlayStation boss says Xbox shows a "basic misunderstanding" of the games industry amid leadership changes, mixed messaging, and reports of studio closuresFormer PlayStation boss Shawn Layden believes Xbox's recent inconsistent actions, including shifts in publishing strategy and reports of studio closures like Ninja Theory, indicate a fundamental misunderstanding of the games industry. Despite denials from figures like Matthew Ball, these moves have fueled an identity crisis for Xbox, leading to confusion among players and raising concerns about the company's health.
Games Inbox: What is happening to Xbox and can it recover?Readers express significant concern over the future of Xbox, citing massive layoffs, studio closures, and a perceived lack of direction from Microsoft. There is widespread pessimism about Xbox's ability to recover from its current struggles, with some suggesting it's past the point of no return. The discussion also touches on other gaming news, including the upcoming release of Forgotlings, the secrecy surrounding the Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake, and opinions on Grand Theft Auto 5's themes.
"We didn't make E-Day as a reaction to Gears 5": How The Coalition ripped up the Gears of War playbook to…The Coalition is developing Gears of War: E-Day, a prequel set on Emergence Day, aiming to recapture the spirit of the original trilogy while rebuilding core mechanics in Unreal Engine 5. The game will feature a more focused, linear experience within the city of Kalona, emphasizing dense combat arenas and fluid movement, and is set for release on PC and Xbox Series X in October 2026.
Following Gears of War: E-Day's declaration of Xbox exclusivity, Halo: Campaign Evolved is already climbing PlayStation pre-order chartsHalo: Campaign Evolved is seeing strong pre-order sales on the PlayStation Store, topping charts in several regions despite being an Xbox exclusive IP. This success, alongside other Xbox titles like Forza Horizon 5 and Sea of Thieves appearing on PlayStation, raises questions about Microsoft's console exclusive strategy. The remake is built on Unreal Engine 5 and has reportedly revitalized the original game's content.
Games Inbox: Are the original Halo games still worth playing?Readers discuss the enduring appeal of older Halo titles, with one praising Halo 3's timeless design and soundtrack. Another reader reflects on the evolution of gaming technology and online infrastructure since the original Xbox era. Concerns are also raised about the current state of game pricing and the potential impact of consumer reluctance to buy games at full price.
Halo: Campaign Evolved Charting Strongly in Pre-Orders on the PlayStation StoreHalo: Campaign Evolved is experiencing strong pre-order numbers on the PlayStation Store, with its Standard Edition topping charts in the UK and showing significant interest in other regions. The game's upcoming launch on July 28th for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC highlights the potential of cross-platform releases and raises questions about the platform strategy for other franchises like Gears of War.- Gears Of War’s “Stay Vertical” Was Inspired By A Real-Life Health ScareLaura Fryer, a key figure in the development of Gears of War, revealed that a personal health scare inspired the game's memorable line "Stay vertical." She shared how the team's support during her difficult time made the phrase emotionally significant.
Microsoft considered cutting Xbox off entirely and making it easier to sell, report saysA report indicates that Microsoft considered spinning out Xbox as a separate subsidiary or even selling the brand entirely due to declining console sales and plateauing Game Pass figures. This comes amid internal acknowledgments of Xbox's underperformance and expected layoffs. The report suggests these considerations were internal discussions and no specific partners or buyers were identified.