Xbox lays off Gears of War: E-Day’s story director barely two weeks before the game’s launch
Gears of War: E-Day’s story director Juan Vaca has been laid off by Microsoft as part of Xbox’s latest workforce reduction, occurring just days before the game’s October launch. Vaca, who joined developer The Coalition in 2022 and spent over four years as story director on the project, announced his departure via LinkedIn following layoffs that affected more than 260 Xbox employees.
The timing is particularly striking, as Vaca had celebrated the game reaching “gold status”—indicating it was ready for manufacturing and distribution—only five days before his termination. His recent LinkedIn post demonstrated he was actively engaged in the project’s successful milestone.
Vaca brings substantial industry experience to the job market. Prior to joining The Coalition, he worked as a narrative designer at Telltale Games and interned at Marvel Studios, establishing expertise in storytelling across gaming and entertainment media.
In his layoff announcement, Vaca wrote: “I am part of this round of Microsoft Layoffs and am open to new opportunities in games/film/TV. If your team needs a director/storyteller please reach out.” The message underscores the scale of Microsoft’s recent restructuring and his openness to cross-media opportunities.
The layoff reflects Microsoft’s broader “reset” of its Xbox division, with significant workforce reductions occurring despite major game releases proceeding on schedule. Gears of War: E-Day is expected to launch as planned in early October.