In a revelation that sheds new light on the internal roadmap of one of gaming’s most iconic franchises, the actor behind JD Fenix has confirmed that The Coalition actively considered developing Gears of War 6 before ultimately deciding to pivot and create the upcoming prequel, E-Day.
As the franchise prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary, this disclosure confirms that the cliffhanger ending of Gears 5 was nearly resolved before the studio opted for a “back to the trenches” approach.
Liam J. McIntyre, who portrayed the embattled son of Marcus Fenix in Gears 4 and 5, took to social media to clarify the recent history at The Coalition. According to McIntyre, after the release of Gears 5 in 2019, there were internal suggestions to proceed with a sixth mainline entry. However, the creative drive to explore untold territory proved stronger. He stated:
“We did Gears 4 and 5, and there was a suggestion that maybe there would be a Gears 6. But the team wanted to try something new as I understand it. And honestly, it looks great. Can’t wait to play.”
This pivot resulted in Gears of War: E-Day, a prequel set fourteen years before the original game that follows a younger Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago during the Locusts’ first planet-wide assault. The title is currently slated for a 2026 release and is being built “from scratch” using Unreal Engine 5.
The decision to delay Gears 6 is particularly notable given the narrative dead end left by its predecessor. Gears 5 concluded with a high-stakes choice forcing players to decide the fate of either JD Fenix or his best friend, Delmont Walker. For nearly seven years—the longest drought in the franchise’s history—this choice has remained without a canonical resolution.
Despite the detour into the past, industry analyst notes suggest The Coalition has not abandoned the modern storyline. Studio leadership has previously stated they are not walking away from the narratives established in the fourth and fifth games, though a return to that timeline is likely years away. With E-Day releasing seven years after Gears 5, a hypothetical Gears 6 would likely not arrive until well after 2030.
For now, the focus is strictly on the past. Microsoft and The Coalition are preparing a massive promotional push for E-Day, including a “Direct” deep-dive event scheduled to follow the Xbox Games Showcase on June 7, 2026. Studio head Mike Crump has called the project “our most ambitious game yet,” positioning it as the ultimate celebration of the franchise’s 20th birthday.
While fans of the Fenix family dynasty will have to wait to see the conclusion of JD’s story, the actor remains hopeful. McIntyre has even pitched a hypothetical storyline involving a mind-controlled JD fighting his own father, joking that he hopes the studio eventually “goes back to it.” For now, the gears of war are turning toward the dawn of Emergence Day.
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