Recent discussions surrounding the inclusion of women in the Gears of War franchise, particularly in relation to Gears of War: E-Day, have been met with a wave of counterarguments from long-time fans. Many point out that female characters have been a consistent and significant part of the series since its debut on the Xbox 360, challenging claims that their presence is a recent development catering to a "modern audience."
Criticism has surfaced regarding what some perceive as a "girlboss" character and the misrepresentation of a squadmate's role in E-Day. However, analysis of the franchise's history reveals a deep-rooted presence of women in combat and leadership roles.
Anya Stroud serves as a prime example, initially providing guidance as a voice in the player's ear in the first two games before becoming a frontline soldier in Gears of War 3. Her narrative arc solidified her as a crucial figure throughout the original trilogy and within the expanded lore.
Queen Myrrah, the enigmatic leader of the Locust horde, was also introduced in the original game and played a pivotal role in the series' overarching narrative. Her lineage connects to Kait Diaz and her mother, further emphasizing the importance of female characters in later installments.
Gears of War 3 prominently featured women in active combat roles. Anya's mother fought alongside Marcus Fenix, and characters like Bernie, a resilient soldier defending a key fort, and Samantha “Sam” Byrne, who fought alongside Cole and Baird and reappeared in Gears of War 4, were integral to the war effort. The DLC for Gears of War 3 also introduced Alicia Valera, a member of Zeta-Six, and Gears of War: Judgment featured Sofia Hendrick, an Onyx Guard member. Even Gears Tactics included Dr. Mikayla Dorn and recruitable female COG soldiers.
The presence of women in the Coalition of Ordered Governments (COG) military extends even further back. An unnamed female COG soldier served as a field medic alongside infantry in Gears of War 2. Furthermore, both Gears of War: Judgment and a Gears 3 DLC are set before or during the events of the original game, providing on-screen evidence that women have been part of the COG military for a significant period.
While acknowledging that the portrayal of some female characters, like Anya's initial role as a "battlefield secretary," may have evolved, the consistent inclusion of women, including women of color, throughout the franchise's two-decade history is undeniable. The current online discourse, according to many fans, appears to stem from either a lack of familiarity with the series' past or a desire to engage with trending social media narratives.