Gears 5 multiplayer designer has left The Coalition, citing ‘personal issues’

The player retention of Gears 5 maybe lower than what was seen in Gears 4. Microsoft looks at engagement as the key metric for a game success. Gears 5 received a lot of community (and some professional) criticism over its progression system. Phil Spencer, was even indirectly critical of the progression system of Gears 5.

I feel both the Rob Ferguson and Ryan Cleven where either let go or left the Coalition due to the community response towards the game’s progression system.