Gears is trending because Gears of War: E-Day is nearing launch, drawing contrasting campaign reviews alongside reports that its developers fear layoffs and lost bonuses. The prequel is generating both discussion of how it plays and concern about the circumstances surrounding its release. Coverage also includes practical information about campaign length, missions and early access through the Premium Edition.
Reviews suggest the action is a major talking point, but opinions on the overall campaign differ. Eurogamer’s review presents E-Day as bringing new ideas to familiar territory, while The Verge calls it a great, confident game launching at a terrible time. Kotaku describes a campaign full of highs and lows. PC Gamer praises the shooting but calls the campaign a slog and says the series feels creatively stagnant.
The employment reports add a separate, significant reason for the attention. Kotaku and Eurogamer report that E-Day developers fear losing their jobs and bonuses, with Eurogamer describing concerns about layoffs immediately after launch, before bonuses would be due. Those fears come amid announced cuts across Microsoft’s gaming business; the coverage describes concerns, not confirmed layoffs of the E-Day team.
