Key information

Before recent Microsoft cuts, staff at The Coalition felt cautiously optimistic regarding job security due to working on the upcoming Gears of War: E-Day and the studio's status as a flagship first-party Xbox Game Studios developer with a largely hands-off leadership approach, according to sources speaking to Eurogamer.

This sentiment shifted when story director Juan Vaca announced his layoff as part of Microsoft cuts shortly before release. Multiple sources informed Eurogamer that additional staff members were quietly let go in recent weeks.

Consequently, remaining developers are on edge, fearing further layoffs or reorganization under Activision later in the year. Furthermore, staff worry that being let down right after launch could cause them to miss out on lucrative Metacritic bonuses.

While an internal email verified by Eurogamer confirmed the standard bonus scheme exists, eligibility requires employees to remain full-time staff at payout time, which leadership communicated should occur near the end of October.

Read the original source for further details.