Gears of War: E-Day Dev Confirms DDoS Attack

Gears of War: E-Day experienced a DDoS attack over the weekend, affecting its availability for players on Xbox Series X and S, as well as PC. The game's developer, The Coalition, acknowledged the issue, stating that they are actively monitoring and mitigating the situation. There has been speculation about the motive behind the attack, with some suggesting it may be linked to an ongoing online feud due to perceived "woke" themes in the game.

However, the primary focus was on ensuring the game's continued availability following the incident. Despite the DDoS attack, E-Day has reportedly sold around 230,000 copies in its first week, with Xbox's Game Pass service potentially impacting sales. The game, which was designed for Xbox Series X, S, and PC, opted against a PS5 release.

While financial figures have not been officially confirmed, analysts believe Game Pass may have contributed to the game's relatively softer launch. The studio's head of marketing analysis, Rhys Elliott, noted the soft start, attributing it to Xbox subscription service cannibalization. Additionally, concerns about potential job cuts within The Coalition have been circulating, with the studio facing ongoing layoffs within Microsoft's gaming division.

The ultimate goal for E-Day, as stated by The Coalition's studio head, Mike Crump, is to showcase the Xbox platform's capabilities and push hardware limits, rather than solely focusing on sales numbers.