Gears of War 6: Exclusive Leak Unveils Highly Anticipated Release Date

Highlights

A new rumor suggests that the next mainline installment of Gears of War may not release for several more years, potentially in 2026.

The developer behind Gears of War, The Coalition, has recently undergone changes and is currently engaged in various projects. Collaborating with Epic Games on Unreal Engine 5 tech demos is among their ongoing endeavors. However, amidst speculation surrounding the future of both The Coalition and the Gears franchise, rumors of project cancellations and potential shifts towards Gears 6 or a new intellectual property have surfaced. Fans may have to exercise patience as more information is yet to be revealed.

There is speculation that the next main installment of Xbox's popular Gears of War franchise may not be released for several more years. This rumor comes after previous speculation that the next Gears of War game may have an open-world element following the successful release of Gears 5 in 2019.

It has been almost four years since the highly acclaimed launch of Gears 5, and fans have been eagerly awaiting news on the next game from developer The Coalition. The studio has undergone some changes since then, with former Studio Head Rod Fergusson leaving in 2020 to work on Diablo 4 at Blizzard. In the meantime, The Coalition has been involved in various projects, including collaborating with Epic Games on tech demos for Unreal Engine 5, such as The Matrix Awakens, which demonstrate the impressive visual capabilities of the engine.

The future of Gears has been uncertain, but a new rumor may shed some light on Xbox's popular third-person shooter franchise. On ArtStation, a reputable platform for artists in the entertainment industry to showcase their work, a Senior Concept Artist and Costume Illustrator named David Masson San Gabriel has hinted at collaborating with The Coalition on a project set to release in 2026. San Gabriel has previously worked on costume illustrations and concept art for major Hollywood productions, including Marvel and DC films, and is currently involved in the development of Skydance's upcoming Captain America and Black Panther game.

Following the release of Gears 5, The Coalition was said to be taking a break from the Gears franchise and working on two new IPs. However, recent rumors suggest that both projects have been canceled, and the studio has shifted its focus to Gears 6. While this hasn't been officially confirmed, the 2026 release window mentioned by San Gabriel aligns with this timeline and indicates a possible shift in direction for The Coalition. Typically, the development cycle for a Gears of War title is three to four years, so the seven-year gap between projects for the studio suggests a potential cancellation or significant change in plans. It's also possible that The Coalition is still working on a new IP instead of Gears 6. Earlier this year, Liam McIntyre, the voice actor for JD Fenix, mentioned that he hasn't heard anything about Gears 6 from the studio. However, it may have been too early in the production process to involve voice talent. If the rumored target year of 2026 is accurate, it will likely be a while before Xbox and Gears fans receive further updates on The Coalition's upcoming projects.

Source: ComicBook