Xbox lays off Gears of War: E-Day's story director barely two weeks before the game's launch

eurogamer.net Sep 24, 2026

Xbox lays off Gears of War: E-Day’s story director barely two weeks before the game’s launch

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Sep 24, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

The story director for Gears of War: E‑Day, Juan Vaca, was laid off during Microsoft’s recent Xbox restructuring, just two weeks before the game’s October 6 release. Vaca, who joined Coalition in 2022 and spent over four years on the title, announced his dismissal on LinkedIn and offered his services to other studios. The layoffs, part of a broader 268‑developer cut, also affected several other Xbox studios, including Rare, Playground, and Halo. The impact on E‑Day’s narrative direction remains unclear.

💡 Why It Matters

· The departure of a key creative figure so close to launch raises questions about the final polish of the game’s story.
· It also signals a broader shift in Microsoft’s approach to studio management and talent retention.

Read full article on eurogamer.net

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