Gears 5 multiplayer design director Ryan Cleven has left The Coalition after six years, citing "personal issues". The Twitter announcement comes after the recent addition of a new Gridiron mode to the game, a 5v5 take on capture-the-flag.
"I hope you are enjoying Gridiron," Cleven wrote on Twitter. "It's my favourite Gears experience to date, and it will also be my last with the Coalition. I am taking an extended sabbatical. When I return, it won't be to gears."
I hope you're enjoying Operation 3: Gridiron. It's been my favourite to work on and is closer to how I wished we'd launched. It's also my last with TC & Gears. Due to personal issues, I'll be going on sabbatical indefinitely. Thanks for joining me on this journey. See you online. pic.twitter.com/j8uev2RBOS
— Ryan Cleven (@nodezero) March 31, 2020
"The last six years have been amazing. Gears 4 and 5 have been the highlight of my development career, but those six years have also taken a toll. Due to personal issues, I can't continue to work the way that I have, I need time for myself. With the departure of my mentor, Rod Fergusson, it's given me an opportunity to reevaluate my priorities. While I will forever miss Gears, it's time to pass the torch."