Juan Vaca
Reporting and statements that mention Juan Vaca.
Latest coverage
Gears Of War: E-Day is getting a sequel and it won’t take as long says Xbox
Xbox studio The Coalition is reportedly planning a sequel to Gears Of War: E-Day, with studio head Mike Crump stating it "will not take nearly as long" as previous entries. Despite the positive outlook for the franchise, the article highlights ongoing layoffs at Xbox and the recent dismissal of Gears Of War story director Juan Vaca, raising concerns about job security within the studio.
Gears of War: E-Day is a “Great Foundation,” Says The Coalition: “The Next Game Won’t Take as Long”
The Coalition studio head Mike Crump stated that Gears of War: E-Day is a "great foundation" and that the next game in the series "won't take as long" to develop, partly due to the use of Unreal Engine 5 and built assets. The article also touches on rumors of layoffs within the studio and the exclusion of certain features from previous titles.
Gears of War E-Day wants you to enjoy the "terror in your face," no matter how you choose to play
The Coalition's Creative Director Matt Searcy and Sandbox Designer Pax Lyle discuss the development of Gears of War E-Day, emphasizing its return to the series' roots and the focus on "terror in your face." They detail the transition to Unreal Engine 5 and the efforts to ensure a consistent experience across PC and Xbox, while acknowledging the impact of recent layoffs on potential future stories.
Gears of War: E-Day is missing iconic features like chainsaw duels and meat shields, but The Coalition says we shouldn't worry - they're "not gone from the franchise"
Gears of War: E-Day has launched without iconic features like chainsaw duels and meat shields, with The Coalition stating they may be added post-launch or in a future title. The studio cited the need to rebuild the gameplay sandbox from scratch for a unified experience as the reason for these omissions at launch. This news comes amidst significant layoffs at Microsoft's Xbox division, including E-Day's story director.
Gears of War: E-Day Metacritic score places it as The Coalition's best take on the series amid layoffs and reported…
Gears of War: E-Day has achieved a Metacritic score of 88, making it the best-reviewed game in the series since Epic Games' involvement and The Coalition's highest-rated title. Despite critical acclaim for its gameplay, the studio faces internal turmoil with reports of layoffs and withheld bonuses, including the game's story director.
For every two seconds of frustration, there are 10 seconds of euphoria: the Gears of War E-Day campaign is a satisfying, meaty return to form for The Coalition
The campaign for Gears of War E-Day is a satisfying and meaty return to form for The Coalition, successfully recapturing the magic of the original trilogy with improved combat mechanics and engaging setpieces. While the game excels in its curated, bombastic moments, some open-ended sections detract from the overall pacing and tension. The review also notes the recent layoffs at Microsoft, including the story director, impacting the development context.
As Xbox swings the axe, Gears of War: E-Day developers fear they'll be laid off straight after launch - and right before they'd be due their bonuses
Developers at The Coalition, the studio behind Gears of War: E-Day, are increasingly fearful of imminent layoffs following recent waves of job cuts at Microsoft and Xbox. The departure of the game's story director has heightened anxiety, particularly concerning potential loss of Metacritic bonuses tied to the game's launch.
Gears of War: E-Day Studio Fears Layoffs, Demoralized by Story Director’s Departure – Rumor
Sources at The Coalition report significant fear and demoralization following the departure of story director Juan Vaca and other developers, despite the studio's previous perceived safety from Xbox layoffs. Concerns are high regarding potential future layoffs, restructuring under Activision Blizzard, and the payout of Metacritic-tied bonuses, leading to a somber atmosphere as Gears of War: E-Day approaches its release.
Gears of War story director laid off mere days after E-Day went gold
Gears of War story director Juan Vaca was laid off by Microsoft as part of a wider Xbox reset, just days after Gears of War: E-Day went gold. The Coalition studio was not explicitly mentioned in the announcement, but Vaca confirmed his layoff on LinkedIn. This incident highlights the precarious nature of employment in the games industry, even after significant contributions.
Gears of War: E-Day Story Director Laid Off Just Before Launch
Juan Vaca, the story director for Gears of War: E-Day, was laid off from The Coalition as part of recent Xbox job cuts. Vaca announced his departure after the game reached its gold milestone, stating he is seeking new opportunities. This follows a larger wave of layoffs impacting Xbox Game Studios, with further cuts expected at Blizzard.
Gears Of War: E-Day story director laid off as Halo Studios is reduced to scraps
Xbox Game Studios has implemented significant layoffs, impacting multiple first-party studios including Halo Studios and The Coalition. The story director for Gears Of War: E-Day, Juan Vaca, was laid off from The Coalition, while Halo Studios' cinematic director, Josh Daniels, experienced a promotion and layoff in the same week, with the studio reportedly reduced to a skeleton crew. These cuts are part of a larger restructuring effort by Microsoft, affecting other developers like Undead Labs and Double Fine Productions.
Gears of War: E-Day director laid off days after completing development as Xbox cuts reach The Coalition
Juan Vaca, the story director for the upcoming Gears of War: E-Day, has been laid off by Microsoft as part of its ongoing job cuts. This news comes just days after Vaca celebrated the game going gold, and it follows a larger wave of redundancies across Xbox studios, including Halo Studios. The reasons for Vaca's dismissal, particularly so close to the game's October 2026 release, remain unclear.
Xbox lays off Gears of War: E-Day's story director barely two weeks before the game's launch
Xbox has conducted significant layoffs, impacting the story director of the upcoming Gears of War: E-Day, Juan Vaca, just weeks before its October 6th release. This news comes amidst broader restructuring within Xbox, affecting studios like Rare, World's Edge, Playground Games, Turn 10 Studios, Obsidian Entertainment, and 343 Industries, with Ninja Theory reportedly heading towards closure.
Gears of War: E-Day’s Story Director Juan Vaca is Among Those Affected by Xbox’s Latest Layoffs
Xbox has conducted another round of layoffs, affecting numerous employees across Xbox Game Studios, including Juan Vaca, the story director for the upcoming Gears of War: E-Day. Vaca confirmed his departure on LinkedIn, stating he is seeking new opportunities. The news comes shortly before the game's scheduled October 6th release on PC and Xbox Series X/S, though The Coalition has stated the game is on track and has gone gold.
