Gears 5's Rod Fergusson teases open-world content

What you need to know

• Gears 5 is an upcoming third-person shooter from Xbox Game Studios.
• The game is expected to launch in early September.
• The Coalition's Rod Fergusson teased open-world content by saying you can sail the skiff freely.
• You can preorder Gears 5 for $50 on Amazon.

This generation, a lot of games are moving towards an open-world format. We saw God of War and Metro Exodus follow that route, but it seems like Gears 5 is doing the same. Today, Studio Head of The Coalition, Rod Fergusson, tweeted that you can handle the skiff freely and don't follow linear paths. This opens up tremendous possibilities for exploration and other mechanics.

The fact that you can sail the skiff wherever you want means that the game won't be linear. However, it's unclear if it'll have limited exploration like Uncharted 4 or go the route of a different game. Only time will tell. I personally have no idea, but I know that our very own Jez Corden should have a preview up for you on Friday. Stay tuned until then!

Excellent and affordable Xbox accessories

Up your Xbox experience with one (or all) of these budget accessories, all of which are approved by the gamers of Windows Central.

PowerA Play & Charge Kit for Xbox One ($15 at Amazon)

This charging kit keeps your Xbox One wireless controllers juiced up, and it offers batteries for two controllers. At just $15, this is hands-down our favorite budget charging companion.

ElecGear 4 Port USB Xbox One S Hub ($19 at Amazon)

This brilliant little USB splitter hub attaches perfectly to the side of your Xbox One S console. It's ideal for use with chargers, controllers, headsets, and more.

Controller Gear stand ($13 at Amazon)

Proudly display your Xbox gamepads with this stylish and functional stand. The licensed design is minimalist and black, and it has a hidden storage compartment, making the price of $13 a real steal.