Rod Fergusson, studio head at Microsoft’s The Coalition, is departing the Gears of War studio. In March, he’ll join Blizzard, where he’ll “oversee” the entire Diablo series. Fergusson worked on the original Gears of War titles at Epic Games, oversaw BioShock Infinite in its final stages of development, and has headed up Gears of War at The Coalition since 2014.
“Starting in March, I will join Blizzard to oversee the Diablo franchise,” Fergusson tweets, alongside a photo of his fellow developers. “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.”
Fergusson joins Blizzard at a tumultuous time. A series of disappointing releases from the studio has shaken fan sentiment, and the reaction to the mobile title Diablo Immortal is perhaps still the most notable example of that disconnect. The Diablo 4 release date is still at some point in the distant future, and the game has reportedly seen substantial development troubles leading to its often-delayed reveal.
Personally, I’m looking forward to the chainsaw bayonets in Diablo 4.
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) February 5, 2020
Fergusson additionally tweets that he “began working on Gears of War over 15 years ago and since then, it has been the joy of my life. But now it’s time for a new adventure. I leave Gears in the great hands of The Coalition and can’t wait for everyone to play Gears Tactics on April 28.”