The highly anticipated next installment in the beloved Gears franchise, titled Gears of War: E-Day, is officially being promoted as the series’ next principal venture. Notably, this upcoming chapter will function as a prequel, delving into events that transpired before the original Gears of War, eschewing a direct sequel to Gears 5, which fans had expected. Adding a twist to this narrative, former franchise head Rod Fergusson recently shed light on an alternate direction the series could have taken under his leadership.
During a recent discussion on IGN’s Unlocked podcast, Fergusson, who has transitioned to become the boss of Diablo at Blizzard Entertainment following his exit from The Coalition in 2020, shared his ambitious vision for Gears 6. He expressed that the narrative he was developing would have seen the series venture beyond the familiar terrain of Sera, introducing players to a new planet and broader interstellar adventures.
“Gears 6 was to leave Sera,” Fergusson explained, noting that the groundwork had been laid in Gears 5 for such a monumental shift. He referenced the introduction of UIR [Union of Independent Republics] rocket technology as key elements that hinted at this potential evolution. “If you paid attention to the story in Gears 5, you come across the UIR sort-of rocket technology. We were sort of laying the seeds and the groundwork that in taking over that UIR territory, we’ve adopted their space program,” he articulated, emphasizing his goal to transport players to uncharted territories within the galaxy and explore new narratives.
Fergusson clarified that while the concept involved venturing into space, it wouldn’t be akin to a sprawling Mass Effect-style journey. Instead, he envisioned utilizing more archaic technology reminiscent of old Russian sputnik designs. “It was really about, ‘let’s get you to a new place to encounter what this looks like,’” he asserted, capturing a sense of adventure that fans could have anticipated.
With Gears of War: E-Day firmly rooted as a prequel, fans are left pondering the future of the franchise and whether The Coalition plans to revisit Fergusson’s space-oriented vision for the next numbered entry in the series. Unfortunately, it appears that players will have to exercise patience for quite some time to unravel this mystery.
Gears of War: E-Day is currently in development for Xbox Series X/S and PC platforms. While an official release date has yet to be disclosed, credible reports suggest that the game is aiming for a launch sometime in 2025.
**Interview with Rod Fergusson: Reflecting on Gears of War and the Future of the Franchise**
**Editor:** Hello, Rod! Thank you for joining us today. With the announcement of *Gears of War: E-Day* as the next installment in the franchise, can you share your thoughts on this prequel approach?
**Rod Fergusson:** Thank you for having me! I think diving into the lore before the original *Gears of War* is a great move. It allows the developers to explore new stories and character backgrounds that fans often wonder about. The rich history of the Locust and the events leading up to the war can add depth to the overall narrative.
**Editor:** You mentioned in your recent discussion on IGN’s *Unlocked* podcast that you had a different vision for the series when you were still at The Coalition. Can you elaborate on your plans for *Gears 6*?
**Rod Fergusson:** Absolutely. I envisioned *Gears 6* taking the series beyond the traditional setting of Sera. My idea was to explore new environments and perhaps introduce new factions or characters that would challenge the status quo. The idea was to push the boundaries of the universe while still staying true to what fans love about the franchise.
**Editor:** That sounds intriguing! What prompted you to take this different direction, moving away from the established setting of *Gears*?
**Rod Fergusson:** One of the exciting aspects of storytelling in games is that we can evolve and expand the universes we create. I believe there’s so much potential for fresh narratives and gameplay experiences when you step outside of the familiar. It allows for innovation while broadening the *Gears* universe in meaningful ways.
**Editor:** Now that you’ve transitioned to leading *Diablo* at Blizzard, do you feel like this shift has influenced your perspective on game development?
**Rod Fergusson:** Definitely! Working on *Diablo* has opened my eyes to different gameplay mechanics and storytelling techniques. It’s been a fascinating learning experience, and I think elements from my time on *Gears* and my current role can blend together to inspire future projects—whether in adapting new methods or rethinking how stories are told.
**Editor:** Lastly, what advice would you give to the new team at The Coalition as they work on *E-Day* and future *Gears* titles?
**Rod Fergusson:** My advice would be to stay true to the heart of *Gears*, which is its characters and emotional stories, while also being bold enough to take risks. Innovation is key in keeping franchises alive, but always grounding those innovations in what fans connect with will create a lasting impact.
**Editor:** Thank you so much, Rod. Your insights are invaluable, and we can’t wait to see where the *Gears* franchise goes next!
**Rod Fergusson:** Thank you! I’m excited to see how it all unfolds as well.
