Gears of War creator reveals Dom was nearly a woman in response to E-Day 'girl boss' backlash
The Gears of War creator, Cliff Bleszinski, has revealed that Dom Santiago, the best friend of Marcus Fenix, was nearly a female character, following the “girl boss” backlash surrounding Gears of War: E-Day.
Gears of War: E-Day is the latest entry in the Xbox series and a prequel to the game that was originally released in 2006. However, the prequel has faced some social media backlash over claims of its “woke” agenda regarding its female characters and LGBTQ+ themes.
Some fans feel Mags Carter, one of two new characters, receives too much attention at the expense of series veterans Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago, while Captain Akila Grey, a COG officer who oversees Bravo Squad, has been labelled a “girl boss”.
What has the Gears of War creator said about the backlash?
“Fun fact: When I wanted Marcus and Dom, Rod suggested having a choice that it could be Dom or Dominique. Yep, Dom could have been female,” said Cliff Bleszinski in a Facebook post on October 10, 2026. “Which would have made the whole Maria story one big gay tragedy. With all the "Queers of War" jokes flying around, I can't help but laugh.”
The developer Cliff Bleszinski refers to in his Facebook post is Rod Fergusson, a video game producer who worked on the original Gears of War at Epic Games and is now with the series' current developer, The Coalition.
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This isn't the first time it's been revealed that Dom Santiago was nearly a female character. Rod Fergusson first shared the details in a GameSpot article in 2016, and now Cliff Bleszinski has reiterated it.
What if Dom had been a female character in Gears of War?
We can only speculate, as it was decided before launch that Dom Santiago would be a male character. That said, if Dom had been a woman, it could have drastically changed the dynamic of his friendship with Marcus, often described as a “bromance”.
Without giving too much away, the original Gears of War trilogy has one of the most emotional storylines in video game history, centred on Dom's wife, Maria. If Dom had been a woman, their relationship could have represented a same-sex romance. Alternatively, Maria could have been replaced by a male love interest.
Had Dom been a woman, the franchise would have featured a prominent female character from the very beginning, with LGBTQ+ representation potentially playing a more significant role in the original trilogy.
One thing that might not have changed is Dom's battle-hardened nature. She could still have been the same formidable soldier, and her relationship with Marcus, particularly on the battlefield, could have developed into one of gaming's most beloved friendships.
It's also worth considering that Anya Stroud would likely still have been a strong supporting character throughout the original trilogy and beyond. Anya is Marcus' love interest, and the pair eventually marry and have a son, James “J.D.” Fenix, who is one of the main protagonists in Gears of War 4.
Are Marcus and Dom being sidelined in Gears of War: E-Day?
Yes and no. Marcus and Dom might not feel as prominent as they were in the original trilogy, which could be disappointing for some fans. Personally, I would have liked to see them feature more prominently, at least when it comes to in-game dialogue, although others may feel differently.
The developers have framed Marcus and Dom as the story's central duo, with newcomers Mags Carter and Lucas Reyes playing supporting roles. However, I do feel that Mags gets more in-game dialogue than Marcus, Dom and Lucas. She also acts as a guide to Kalona, a city that Marcus and Dom aren't familiar with, as both are from Ephyra.
READ MORE: Gears of War: E-Day has reminded me why I don't want every game to be 100 hours long
Mags is a former COG soldier and demolitions specialist, so she brings valuable combat experience to the fight against the Locust. As a local, she also helps Marcus and Dom navigate Kalona, giving her a clear role beyond simply joining the fight. Mags' sexuality, meanwhile, is conveyed through subtle environmental storytelling rather than blatant dialogue.
As for Captain Akila Grey, there's no clear indication that she is gay. Regarding the “girl boss” label, it's worth noting that some clips circulating on social media may have been taken out of context. In one particular scene, Grey walks down a corridor to dramatic music. However, some clips cut off before showing Marcus and Dom accompanying her and putting on their COG armour.
At the end of the day, as with any game, some people will enjoy Gears of War: E-Day, while others won't. The community has a mixture of reactions and criticisms, and everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
Gears of War: E-Day is out now on PC and Xbox Series X/S.
Topics: Gears Of War, PC, Xbox