developers are making a big effort to make it the most accessible entry in the Gears of War franchise. This includes having 19 different Pride flags available as banners in the Gears 5 multiplayer mode.“At The Coalition, we believe that gaming is for everyone. And we believe that gaming is better when we embrace the things that make us unique and respect diverse perspectives,” The Coalition studio head Rod Fergusson tells IGN in a statement.
“Gears of War is a series grounded in diversity, and we’re proud to celebrate it in our characters and our players. The ‘Gears 5’ team was incredibly passionate about including flags representing the different aspects of Pride and we’re thrilled players can show up as their authentic selves while playing.”
Gears 5 has been receiving critical acclaim, not just for its story and gameplay but also for the additional commitment to diversity. There are 19 different Pride flags in the multiplayer mode, each representing a different aspect of the LGBT community.
And it’s not just the flags in multiplayer that are receiving praise. Gears 5 includes a host of accessibility options for deaf and gamers who are hard of hearing. Can I Play That gave Gears 5 a perfect score for accessibility thanks to a variety of subtitle options which includes multiple font size options.
Microsoft is also committed to accessibility in its games, even introducing the Adaptive Controller, which Gears 5 supports, to make games on Xbox One even more playable for a wider audience.
You can read IGN’s Gears 5 campaign review, which praises the series’ commitment to its core cast of characters. There’s a reason why the Gears of War franchise has continued for so long even after popularizing the third-person cover shooter, and that’s its storytelling. Also check out our Gears 5 wiki for more on the latest Gears of War game from The Coalition.
Matt Kim is a reporter for IGN. You can reach him on Twitter.
