
The main reason Microsoft and The Coalition are developing Gears of War: E-Day instead of continuing directly with Gears 6 is their passion for the iconic origin story of the series. They believe that the story of Emergence Day and the origins of Marcus and Dom are powerful, pivotal events that they couldn't wait to tell. The Coalition creative director Matt Searcy and brand director Nicole Fawcette explained that while they are proud of Gears 4 and Gears 5, the opportunity to work on the prequel felt right at this moment. They emphasized that they are not abandoning the stories told in Gears 4 and Gears 5 but wanted to explore this origin story at the current time.

Gears of War: E-Day is set 14 years before the events of the first Gears of War game3. The story delves into the critical event known as Emergence Day, when the Locust unleashed a surprise attack on humanity3. This prequel provides a deep dive into the early struggles against the Locust threat, giving players insight into the events that led up to the conflicts depicted in the original series3. While it is a prequel, it does not mean that the stories from Gears 4 and Gears 5 are being abandoned. The developers are simply exploring the iconic origin story of Marcus and Dom and the pivotal events that shaped the Gears universe.

The cliffhanger at the end of Gears 5 revolves around Kait Diaz's decision to save either JD Fenix or Delmont Walker from Queen Reyna, who has transformed into the Swarm Queen4. This decision ultimately determines which character dies in the story. Kait then vows to hunt down Queen Reyna, setting up the conflict for the upcoming Gears of War game4.
In the broader storyline, Gears 5 focuses on Kait's journey to uncover the truth behind the Swarm and her own lineage, revealing her connection to the Locust Queen. The game also follows the Coalition of Ordered Governments' (COG) efforts to restore the Hammer of Dawn, a powerful weapon that could help turn the tide against the Swarm. The events of Gears 5, including the cliffhanger, set the stage for the ongoing narrative in the Gears of War series, with the characters and the COG preparing for an all-out war against the Swarm and its new leader, Queen Reyna.