Next to the intergalactic adventures of Master Chief, the Gears of War franchise is possibly the biggest IP Xbox has under its belt. First hitting the Xbox 360 in 2006, the bombastic thrills that Marcus Fenix and company have provided fans are some of the best in the action genre, and only seem to be more refined with each release. Gears of War 6 has yet to be announced, but considering the success of Gears 5, it is likely to be coming at some point in the future.
Gears 5 released in September 2019, so fans have naturally set their eyes on what's next in the battle against the Locusts. However, The Coalition has been quiet regarding the future of the franchise and when details about Gears of War 6 will drop. The waiting game may be difficult for fans, as is the case with waiting for a new installment in any major franchise. However, it's also important to remember the benefits of a lengthy development cycle, and how in the long run this should only be a good thing for Gears of War 6.
Halo Infinite Sets a Precedent
Whether it be video games, movies, or TV shows, anxiously anticipating the next installment in a franchise can make every second feel like an hour, but once the end product is in the hands of audiences it can make everything worth it. Look no further than fellow Microsoft-exclusive Halo Infinite, which ended up delayed by an entire year, but that only made it more appreciated once people were finally able to play it.
There is a reason why surprise reveals for franchises making a return are usually met with hype. The E3 2017 announcement of Metroid Prime 4 made waves for Nintendo fans, similar to the E3 2016 God of War reveal. An audience can't miss something that wasn't absent for some time. If Gears of War was an annual franchise with numerous entries, there is a chance it may not be as special as it currently is for Xbox fans. Having to wait between games adds a level of excitement for the next adventure.
Gears of War 6 Development Time
Returning to Gears of War itself, while no announcement has been made, it is safe to assume that work is being done on the project. The series is one of the most lucrative for Microsoft, so a new game will likely hit shelves at some point. Gears 5 launced two years ago, and assuming work on the next game began not long after, this already gives Gears of War 6 a good development time.
Two years is good to make progress on any creative project, but that being said, video games are getting bigger with every generation. Halo Infinite was first revealed during Microsoft's E3 2018 showcase, and then confirmed as an Xbox Series X/S launch title at a later date. The game's initial 2020 launch was two years away from its reveal, which likely meant time in development for years prior. Even with that much time, it still wasn't ready by its deadline. AAA games are difficult to produce, so Gears of War 6 should take as much time as possible to polish the experience.
The Added Benefits of Next-Gen Hardware
Another benefit to Gears of War 6 being years away is that it has the advantage to be built on next-gen hardware. The Gears of War franchise is known for pushing the boundaries of tech, delivering graphically beautifully games to show off Xbox hardware. The original Gears of War was a showcase for the 360, and Gears 5 did the same thing for Xbox One in 2019. The trend can continue with Gears of War 6 and the potential of the Xbox Series X/S.
Unreal Engine 5 is making unbelievable leaps and bounds for game development. The recent tech demo for The Matrix Awakens demonstrated life-like character models and an unparalleled level of detail, despite the amount of action onscreen. Considering The Coalition assisted with the Unreal Engine 5 demo, it's likely the studio will be using this engine for Gears of War 6.
Even if Gears of War 6 uses a different engine, the next generation of consoles is full of potential. Forza Horizon 5 and Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 have already showcased outstanding graphics, and the platform has only been available for a year. With a few more years to work on it, The Coalition should be able to deliver a jaw-dropping game when Gears of War 6 makes its big debut.
Gears of War 6 is rumored to be in development.