Gears of War story director laid off mere days after E-Day went gold
Microsoft’s ongoing layoffs have claimed Juan Vaca, the story director for Gears of War: E-Day, just days after the game reached gold status. Vaca announced his departure on LinkedIn, stating he is now seeking opportunities in games, film, and television.
Although The Coalition, the studio developing the Gears of War series, was not explicitly named in Matt Booty’s announcement of the Xbox “reset” layoffs, Vaca’s departure represents another high-profile casualty of Microsoft’s cost-cutting measures. His layoff is particularly notable given its proximity to E-Day’s completion—the gold milestone indicates the game has finished development and is ready for release.
The timing highlights ongoing tensions within Microsoft’s gaming division, where accomplished creative leaders are being let go amid major product launches. Vaca’s dismissal adds to the broader wave of Xbox-related restructuring that has affected multiple development teams in recent months, raising questions about Microsoft’s strategic priorities and resource allocation during a critical period for the publisher.