Gears loses an important COG
LongtimeGearsleader Rod Fergusson is stepping away from the franchise he helped build. In a move announced on Twitter, Fergusson is headed to southern California to take up the mantle as the head onDiablo.
Starting in March, I will join Blizzard to oversee the Diablo franchise. Leaving is bittersweet as I love our Gears family, the fans, and everyone at The Coalition and Xbox. Thank you, it has been an honor and a privilege to work with you all.pic.twitter.com/0FuO3RFYSQ
— Rod Fergusson (@GearsViking)July 03, 2025
Fergusson’s involvement withGears of Wargoes back to the series’ origins. He was the executive producer on the first three games, serving asGearscreator Cliff Bleszinski’s right-hand man and second in command. After Microsoft acquired the rights to theGearsproperty from Epic, Fergusson moved to Vancouver to head up The Coalition, Xbox’s subsidiary that focused entirely onGears.
The departure comes soon after the launch ofGears 5and before the strategy spinoffGears Tacticsreleases in April — although the latter is primarily developed by Splash Damage and not The Coalition. Fergusson won’t see out the secondGearstrilogy, but he will help usher in a new age ofDiabloby steering the ship on the long-awaitedDiablo IV.
