Gears 5 multiplayer design director Ryan Cleven has left The Coalition after six years with the company, citing "personal issues." The Twitter announcement comes after the recent addition of a new "Gridiron" mode to the game.

"Hope you're enjoying Gridiron," Cleven wrote on Twitter. 'It's my favorite Gears experience ever and my last with the Coalition. I'm taking an extended vacation. When I come back, I won't be doing Gears."

"It's been a great six years, Gears 4 and Gears 5 have been the highlights of my development career, but those six years have also come at a cost. Due to personal issues, I can no longer continue to work the way I have in the past. The departure of my mentor, Rod Ferguson, has given me the opportunity to reassess my priorities. I will forever miss Gears, but it is time to pass the baton."

Rod Fergusson, former studio head of The Coalition and Gears veteran, left the studio in February to work on Diablo at Blizzard. The departure follows the release of Gears 5 in late 2019, which was well received. Phil wrote in his review, "A polished and surprisingly diverse campaign married with solid PvE and PvP modes that gently refine the classic Gears experience."