Xbox carries out a new round of layoffs that includes the story director for Gears of War: E-Day, Juan Vaca, who is let go just weeks before the game releases. Eurogamer and GameSpot both report the separation happens shortly ahead of the title’s launch window.
GameSpot adds that Gears of War: E-Day goes gold several days before the launch date, which signals the game is nearing release. Vaca confirms the layoff in a post and says he is open to new roles. The report also places the job cut within a broader Xbox/Microsoft “reset” and studio restructuring, noting previous large layoffs earlier in the year and continued consolidation of Xbox teams under broader Microsoft groupings.
Both outlets frame the timing as notable given Vaca’s multi-year work on the project at The Coalition, and the impending publication date of October 6. GameSpot also references other recent high-profile Xbox studio cuts, indicating the layoffs affect multiple teams rather than only this role.
