Employees at The Coalition, the studio responsible for the title Gears of War: E-Day, are expressing apprehension about the possibility of further layoffs after the game's release. This concern arose following a series of workforce reductions implemented by Xbox in September, affecting various teams within Microsoft's gaming division.
In anonymous testimonies provided to Eurogamer, team members indicated a belief that Microsoft still has faith in The Coalition's future. Nevertheless, the recent dismissals have created an atmosphere of uncertainty within the studio. One professional even stated that they do not plan to celebrate the game until three months after its launch, purely out of caution.
Although The Coalition managed to avoid most of the cuts implemented by Xbox in September, it was not immune to these changes. Juan Vaca, narrative director of Gears of War: E-Day, was dismissed before the launch, and other employees reportedly left the studio discreetly, according to the report.
Impact of Departures and Future Concerns
The dismissals were described by team members as 'very demoralizing.' Employees also expressed the expectation of a potential new wave of cuts or even an internal reorganization of the studio under a different Microsoft structure. This worry is set against the backdrop of a broader Xbox restructuring, which has already caused changes across several franchises and studios within the company.
Another source of anxiety relates to the bonuses tied to the performance of Gears of War: E-Day. According to Eurogamer, the program guidelines require developers to be full-time employees at the time of payment to qualify for the extra compensation. With payment scheduled for late October, any round of layoffs occurring before this date could deprive professionals involved in the game's development of this benefit.
Despite the climate of insecurity, reports suggest that employees do not believe Microsoft has lost confidence in The Coalition. The fear primarily lies in the continuation of cuts within Xbox and the possibility of future organizational modifications in the coming months. The original article about Gears of War: E-Day developers fearing layoffs after launch was initially published on Olhar Digital.