No details have been released yet as to the story of Gears 4, but with the end of 3 spelling pretty much the end of the Locust threat, there's more possibility for 4 to delve into some of the events of the original trilogy, pulling on a few key plot-threads to flesh out the world. However Gears: Judgment already did this and ended up as a huge flop, and so with everything up for grabs in terms of forward momentum - and the fact that so far things are leaning more towards the name 'Gears of War 4', a numbered instalment should mean chronological progression. Either we're still playing as Marcus Fenix and the squad, or they're relegated to the background and potentially expanded upon through your association with them in the field, MGS 2 Solid Snake-style. Whatever happens these characters are just as part of the Gears world as the Lancer or Torque Bow, and they need to be in there somewhere.
