Rodd Fergusson, who is now leading the development of Diablo 4, has a rich history with the Gears of War franchise, having contributed to nearly every game in the series during his 15 years at The Coalition. In a recent interview with Podcast Unlocked, he reflected on the upcoming prequel, Gears of War: E-Day, expressing a sense of surrealness at being uninvolved in this new chapter of the series. After dedicating so much time to Gears, he finds it strange to see new developments unfold without his input.
Fergusson shared his surprise at The Coalition’s decision to focus on the franchise’s past rather than continue the storyline from Gears 5. However, he acknowledged that this approach was wise, as fans had long been eager to see the events of E-Day—the moment the Locusts first emerged. He recalled that the original developer, Epic Games, chose not to depict this pivotal moment due to concerns about their ability to portray it adequately on the Xbox 360.
During the interview, Fergusson revealed his original plans for Gears of War 6, which he left behind upon his departure. One of the most significant shifts in this sequel would have been taking the story off the planet Sera for the first time.
He mentioned that elements introduced in Gears 5, particularly the rocket technology from the Union of Independent Republics, were intended to set the stage for this new direction. Fergusson envisioned a storyline that would explore the consequences of leaving Sera and interacting with the wider galaxy, focusing on older technology instead of a futuristic space travel concept.
Fergusson also addressed the narrative challenges that Gears of War 6 would have faced, particularly due to the player choices made in Gears 5. The ability to choose between saving either JD or Del was a significant shift in the series, allowing players to have a meaningful impact on the storyline. While he did not reveal specific details about the characters’ fates in the upcoming game, he hinted that the decision was quite close, suggesting a complex narrative structure.
Even with the development of Gears of War: E-Day underway, Fergusson reassured fans that The Coalition remains focused on the future of the franchise. He emphasized that they are not retreating from the story that began in Gears 5, and there are plans to eventually continue Kait Diaz’s journey. This commitment reflects the studio’s dedication to evolving the franchise’s narrative and gameplay in innovative ways while maintaining connections to its rich history.
