Sure the series could've become something different, but the should'ves & could'ves are irrelevant. The fact is that IGA was the man keeping CV afloat this past decade, like it or not.
Lets get back on topic before all the "ARGHH I HATE IGA" banter starts to kick in (which it already has).
I hope there will be alternative outfits available for Gabriel, not that there's anything wrong with his armor, but some variety would be nice..