In the realm of Gears of War, a prequel titled Gears of War: E-Day is on the horizon, but the anticipated Gears of War 6 is still a distant dream. Recently, on IGN’s Podcast Unlocked, former Gears of War director and current Diablo 4 lead Rod Fergusson shed light on his envisioned plans for Gears 6 before his departure. Surprisingly, his vision involved taking the game to outer space.
When questioned about his thoughts on the prequel direction of Gears of War, Fergusson acknowledged it as a “smart” decision, even though it deviated from his original concept for Gears 6. Curiosity piqued, he was prompted to share his initial plans.
“I was aiming to shift away from Sera in Gears 6,” Fergusson revealed, with Sera being the turmoil-stricken planet that serves as the backdrop for Gears. He elaborated on how the narrative would revolve around the Union of Independent Republics’ rocket technology featured in Gears 5.
“We were setting the stage for a storyline where, by acquiring the UIR territory, we would delve into their space program,” Fergusson elaborated. “The idea for Gears 6 was to transport players from Sera to explore the implications beyond the galaxy or at least within the solar system. It wouldn’t involve planet-hopping but rather focus on the vintage, Russian-era, sputnik-style technology, steering clear of a Mass Effect-inspired direction. The aim was to introduce players to a new setting and its implications.”
While a narrative shake-up could benefit the Gears series, the proposed departure to new frontiers might not seamlessly tie into the existing storyline. Perhaps, instead of shifting settings, the focus should be on revamping the character lineup. Ditching the lackluster JD Fenix and company in favor of a more compelling cast without straying from Sera’s confines could inject fresh energy into the series. Embracing the survival horror elements that the original game excelled at could offer a more immersive experience. There’s still untapped potential within Sera before delving into extraterrestrial encounters.
