Juan Vaca, the story director for the upcoming Gears of War: E-Day, announced on LinkedIn that he has been laid off by Microsoft. This news comes just days after the game officially went gold, with a release date set for October 6. Vaca stated he is now seeking new opportunities in games, film, or television, and is available for directorial or storytelling roles.
The layoffs at Microsoft's Xbox division, referred to as an "Xbox reset," have impacted various studios. While The Coalition was not specifically named in official communications, Vaca's departure highlights the ongoing workforce reductions within the gaming sector. This situation echoes previous incidents, such as a writer for Apex Legends being laid off shortly after a character she developed was revealed.
The industry has seen a pattern of developers facing job insecurity despite contributing to successful or critically acclaimed projects. The studio behind Star Wars Zero Company, for instance, reportedly furloughed a majority of its staff despite positive reviews and over a million units sold. These events underscore a challenging period for professionals in the games industry, where significant work and achievements do not always guarantee job stability.