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Microsoft now owns Gears of War

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Gears

There’s been speculation for quite some time as to whether or not the last generation’s defining game, Gears of War, would be headed to PlayStation platforms. The IP itself was owned by Epic Games, so it wouldn’t have been much of a stretch. Finally putting an end to that sort of conjecture, Microsoft has acquired the rights from Epic, making it Xbox exclusive in perpetuity.

Announcing the coup last night, Microsoft seems very pleased with itself, confirming that it now owns Gears of War, and every asset associated with it. They’re putting their newly formed Canadian first party studio Black Tusk Games to work on future games in the series. Black tusk was a rebranded Microsoft Vancouver, set up to create a new IP that would rival Halo. That’s been put on hold.

They’ve also hired former Director of Production Epic and soon to be former VP of Development at Irrational Games to head up the series.

“I’m extremely excited to be joining Black Tusk Studios to oversee development on the Gears of War franchise,”” said Fergusson, known as Gears Viking.  “I’ve been privileged to work on a lot of great games with a lot of great teams, but Gears has had the most impact on me professionally and personally, so this really feels like a homecoming. I can’t wait to share more with you all soon.”

The guy usually associated with the Gears of War series, former designer at Epic Clifford Bleszinski has said the franchise is in good hands.

“To be honest, I don’t think the franchise could be in better hands. Heck, Rod’s Twitter handle, to this day, is “Gears Viking.” Gears is just as much Rod’s baby as it was mine. He’ll take good care of her.”

He’s also confirmed he won’t be working on any new games in the series, as he wants to focus on new things.

I have to be honest though, in saying that the Gears of War series seems pretty played out to me. It’s a complete narrative. Yes, they could focus on different characters during the war, but it would just be retelling the same story from a different perspective. They could also focus on things like the Pendulum Wars, but that would be more Unreal tournament than Gears of War. Whatever it is Black Tusk does, I hope they can reinvigorate Gears of War..though I’d hoped for the same from People Can Fly with Gears of War: Judgment, and they failed to deliver there. Presumably, the next Gears game, which I don’t think we’ll see for quite some time, will be an Xbox One exclusive.

Financial details of the acquisition were not discussed, but eminent professional guesser Michael Pachter believes the deal was done for “Probably $100 million or less, certainly no more than that.”

Do you still care about Gears, or do you think the series has seen its day?

Last Updated: January 28, 2014

72 Comments

  1. Rainman

    January 28, 2014 at 07:53

    I think there is a spanner in the works.

    Reply

  2. Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

    January 28, 2014 at 07:54

    I smell a Gears of War reboot in the near future

    Reply

    • SheHulkNigri

      January 28, 2014 at 07:58

      Oh Gods no, please…. Not another reboot…

      Reply

      • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

        January 28, 2014 at 08:18

        Think about it. The story is done. It’s finished. They concluded it. They could as Geoff pointed out, tell the story from other viewpoints, but that would be boring.

        The only real alternative would be to either get a new enemy (or have the same ones return somehow) or do a reboot of the entire GOW story. Guess what’s the most popular trend in the market at the moment?

        Reply

        • SheHulkNigri

          January 28, 2014 at 09:01

          Yes! GoW reboot!
          With Jim Parsons (aka Sheldon Cooper from Big Bang Theory) supplying the voice of Marcus Fenix.
          Augustus Cole voiced by Justin Bieber.
          Yes, I’d buy that for a dollar!

          Reply

          • RinceThis2014

            January 28, 2014 at 09:02

            But where does Miley Cirus come in?

          • SheHulkNigri

            January 28, 2014 at 09:17

            To keep things fresh, D Carmine will be a girl in the reboot… The Horde are forever labeled as heroes when they take her out during one of her infamous twerking sessions, thus brining an end to the war once and for all…

          • RinceThis2014

            January 28, 2014 at 09:20

            SOLD SOLD SOLD!

    • HvR

      January 28, 2014 at 08:15

      Gears of War One

      Reply

      • Martin du preez

        January 28, 2014 at 08:19

        Lol! +1 internet upvote sir!

        Reply

      • Sir Rants A Lot Llew. Jelly!!!

        January 28, 2014 at 08:19

        Have another upvote

        Reply

      • TiMsTeR1033

        January 28, 2014 at 08:36

        Then what Gears of War One + One, or Gears of War One = None

        Reply

  3. SheHulkNigri

    January 28, 2014 at 07:57

    IF they can remake GoW into a new game, then maybe I can see this work. But rehash after rehash of the same formula that worked once is not going to win them any new fans, nor will it convince jaded gamers like me to return to gaming and fork out my hard earned cash.
    So no, I do not think that a new Gears game is needed, or even wanted.

    Reply

  4. Alien Emperor Trevor

    January 28, 2014 at 07:58

    So they’ve stopped development on a new IP & will concentrate on GoW instead? Interesting.

    Reply

    • SheHulkNigri

      January 28, 2014 at 08:06

      See, that is what worries me about gaming today: Too many rehashes happening and too little new IP’s coming…

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        January 28, 2014 at 08:14

        The people in Accounting without real names or game experience (Steve, Phil, Bob, etc) look at their spreadsheets & decide that because the last GoW made $100mil they should make another one & it will automatically make another $100mil instead of investing in the uncertainty of a new IP, because that’s how the real world works apparently.

        Reply

        • SheHulkNigri

          January 28, 2014 at 08:16

          You are not helping my depression today. Well, you are, by adding to it… #truthhurts

          Reply

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            January 28, 2014 at 08:20

            Yay I helped! 😉

            I’m sick, tired & at work – all of which aggravates my natural tendency to be grumpy & cynical.

      • CypherGate

        January 28, 2014 at 09:21

        Sony will be sorting out that. They going to be concentrating on all new IP. Lets hope they stick to what they say.

        Reply

  5. TiMsTeR1033

    January 28, 2014 at 08:08

    Gears is done and dusted… no more please.

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      January 28, 2014 at 08:09

      *done and rusted… tee hee.

      Reply

      • Rainman

        January 28, 2014 at 08:38

        or maybe busted?

        Reply

  6. Tidycpc

    January 28, 2014 at 08:17

    If something new and fresh then yes. I loved gears. The first 3.

    Reply

  7. Martin du preez

    January 28, 2014 at 08:18

    MS just bought the franchise to keep it off the Lordstation. Imagine how embarrassing it would have been if Gears went multiplat and the PS4 outperforms the Xbone version by miles.

    But hey,at least xboners will enjoy the devils threesome again this gen (HaloforzaGears)

    Reply

  8. Rock789

    January 28, 2014 at 08:19

    So, $100million for a franchise that may or may not be past it’s best… Not a bad deal from Epic’s point of view. 🙂

    I loved Gears 1, 2 and 3. However, I thought Judgement was decidedly mediocre… Here’s hoping the new studio can tell some exciting new stories (just look at the Halo franchise – everyone thought it was done when Bungie left and 343 Studios took over. And then 343 produced arguably the best Halo title yet with Halo 4 (although Reach is still my personal favourite… But only just)… So it can be done.).

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      January 28, 2014 at 08:29

      It’s a really good deal for Epic alright. Nice chunk of change for them to use to start something new. Only time will tell if it’s a good deal for MS.

      Reply

    • RinceThis2014

      January 28, 2014 at 11:39

      Dude, we should team up with Jay and play 3 champaign!

      Reply

      • Rock789

        January 28, 2014 at 11:43

        Hell yeah! I’d be down for that! Haven’t played 3 in quite a while – and never co-op. Would be cool to try out co-op. 🙂

        Reply

        • RinceThis2014

          January 28, 2014 at 11:58

          I think we’ve finished all 3 in coop. 3 was the most fun, can you play 3 player? I think you can.

          Reply

          • Rock789

            January 28, 2014 at 12:03

            I think we can… Gotta try it! You definitely can play 3 in multiplayer – that would be cool to tryout too. 🙂

          • RinceThis2014

            January 28, 2014 at 12:11

            Ya I meant story mode, though the MP can he a load of fun too. Just got to get Jason in a not ‘screw MP always online BVVVVV’ mode 😉

          • Rock789

            January 28, 2014 at 12:16

            Yup – campaign is a done deal. Maybe try MP too. 🙂

            Easy enough problem to solve – just add more beer. 😉

  9. TiMsTeR1033

    January 28, 2014 at 08:23

    Honestly even if they made gears in the new Unreal 4.0 engine made it look insane, it would still be gears of war, which in all honesty looked pretty good in Unreal engine 3.0 sure can look better but gameplay will be the same..

    Reply

    • Pieter Kruger

      January 28, 2014 at 08:58

      I would hope so! Why change the gameplay? Would you prefer the next Mario to be a top down shooter??

      Reply

      • TiMsTeR1033

        January 28, 2014 at 09:01

        no man.. just Gears was good yes, but they need to bring something special to the table to keep me interested. the story felt kinda complete.

        Reply

  10. Pieter Kruger

    January 28, 2014 at 08:26

    Excellent news!! Gears Of War Forever!!! Played 1 – 3, still have to play Judgement but the Gears franchise defined a genre! Cannot wait to see how Gears will handle & look on my Xbox One!! “Chainsaw hitting bone Haptic controller feedback effect” YEAAAAAHHHH!

    Reply

    • TiMsTeR1033

      January 28, 2014 at 08:27

      would get better FPS on PS4

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        January 28, 2014 at 08:32

        lol. boom headshot.

        Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      January 28, 2014 at 08:35

      Where did you buy your XBOX One?

      Reply

      • TiMsTeR1033

        January 28, 2014 at 08:37

        he is talking in the future… he has high hopes that Xbone will be out soon. more like Dec 2015

        Reply

      • Pieter Kruger

        January 28, 2014 at 08:37

        Amazon UK! ????

        Reply

        • TiMsTeR1033

          January 28, 2014 at 08:38

          You actually bought one?

          Reply

          • Pieter Kruger

            January 28, 2014 at 08:40

            You didn’t???

          • TiMsTeR1033

            January 28, 2014 at 08:41

            Do you enjoy wasting money? dude you should of rather waited till launch here, by then you would of forgotten about Xbone and become a Sony fanboi!

        • Hammersteyn

          January 28, 2014 at 08:40

          I know a couple of guys who wants one, I’ll mention it to them.

          Reply

          • TiMsTeR1033

            January 28, 2014 at 08:43

            The only thing Id miss from Xbox is halo the rest not so much..

          • Pieter Kruger

            January 28, 2014 at 08:56

            Let me tell you the Xbox One is a thing of true beauty! MS got it 100% this time with the Kinect and voice control plus set top box integration! Getting home, sitting down and switching on my Xbox One, TV & Amp all at once by simply saying “Xbox on” makes you grin every time! Even with my Dutch accent I have no trouble switching between games, apps and TV! It’s so efficient you really prefer using voice!! Games are ridiculously pretty!! Got Ryse, BF4, Powerstar Golf & free KI. Just ordered Forza and Dead Rising! ????I’m a very happy gamer at his time! The people still trolling on Next Gen clearly have no Next Gen to play!!

          • TiMsTeR1033

            January 28, 2014 at 08:59

            I just don’t want to get a console that will struggle to compete with ps4 in multi platform games.

          • Pieter Kruger

            January 28, 2014 at 09:06

            If that’s your only concern you should get a gaming PC and start bragging about what games you can play on ultra graphic setting!

          • SheHulkNigri

            January 28, 2014 at 11:21

            Uhm… Question: How much does Microsoft pay you for all this positive banter you are spewing forth?

          • Pieter Kruger

            January 28, 2014 at 08:49

            Well worth it, amazing thing is it only took 5 days to reach me and MS will carry warranty in SA!

    • RinceThis2014

      January 28, 2014 at 08:56

      Rather pisses me off that you say something with joy and rightly so, and some tard feels the need to downvote? Fanbois sicken me. Nice one man. Hope you enjoy the Xbox One, sure that as time goes on more and more features will start to ‘wake’ up 🙂 As for Gears, I LOVED it. Just not sure what they can do with the franchise now. If they can bring something new to the table, great (not like Judgement) but milking this cow I hope they don’t do!

      Reply

  11. RinceThis2014

    January 28, 2014 at 08:47

    I am not sure how to feel about this. I loved the games but they have run their course. Cliffy did a great job of making something that was a load of fun, but it’s old now, isn’t it? I mean come on, nextgen old IP? Can’t they invest in something new?

    Reply

    • SheHulkNigri

      January 28, 2014 at 08:49

      Tomb Raider HD…

      Reply

      • RinceThis2014

        January 28, 2014 at 08:50

        Reboot of Tomb Raider HD at 60FPS!

        Reply

        • SheHulkNigri

          January 28, 2014 at 08:55

          Reboot of Tomb Raider HD at 60FPS! with Lara running in SLLLOOOOOWWWW MOOOOTTTTIOOONNNN…
          And extra Lara Croft/Ashley Williams love scene. If I am going to waste my time today hoping for new ideas from the gaming industry, I might as well entertain myself doing so…

          Reply

          • RinceThis2014

            January 28, 2014 at 08:58

            Bwahahah! Nice. I’d buy that 🙂 You forgot to mention ‘running in Sloooooow moooootion and then FALLING in even slower motion

  12. oVg 60fps > 30fps

    January 28, 2014 at 09:01

    So basically the 8th gen of gaming is about HD remakes and rehashed old IP. WTF?

    The 7th gen kicked butt. The fist time I saw a new IP called Gears, Mass Effect, Bioshock….
    That shit gave me a next gen Boner.

    I can understand why SONY gave God of War some love because God of War 2 was so kick ass.

    So Gears of War Judgement sold over 1million. MMMMMmmmmm lets make more ON-LINE ONLY NO SINGLE PLAYER SHOOTER HORDE MODE BOLLOCKS.

    Next gen sucks.

    Reply

    • Skyblue

      January 28, 2014 at 09:20

      Yeah man, I ain’t going anywhere near the consoles until they release stuff I wanna play. Last gen was Super Mario Bros Wii, Gears of War and Demons Souls which got me to purchase the various hardware. There is nothing lined up thus far that I feel will compel me to purchase a new console, not even a new UFC title.

      Reply

      • oVg 60fps > 30fps

        January 28, 2014 at 09:31

        It is just such a big risk to create new IP these days. These new super duper 8gig rammer rizers are their own worst enemy.
        Expect far more HD remakes like Tomb Raider and rehashed IP. Assassins Creed 12, HALO 25, COD 69…

        I do not blame them quite frankly considering a new IP like The Last of US can only shift around 4 million copies when 77 million PS3s have been sold.

        2007 was the best year in gaming history.

        Reply

    • oVg 60fps > 30fps

      January 28, 2014 at 09:22

      Look at this list of exclusives from 2006 and compare it to the Bone

      Reply

      • Skyblue

        January 28, 2014 at 09:43

        Some real crackers in that list, really enjoyed the Condemned games. One thing though, System Shock 2 > that entire library ;-p

        Reply

        • That Tall Ork Norm

          January 28, 2014 at 15:44

          Agree 100000% on System Shock 2.

          Reply

  13. oVg 60fps > 30fps

    January 28, 2014 at 09:03

    FCUK YOU MICROSOFT I already have my Lambo.

    Reply

    • Skyblue

      January 28, 2014 at 09:44

      Wasn’t that meant for John Carmack?

      Reply

  14. oVg 60fps > 30fps

    January 28, 2014 at 09:07

    At least SONY still have Naughty Dog. You can keep your Gears of Micro Transactions.

    Reply

  15. Ir0nseraph

    January 28, 2014 at 09:16

    Gears 1 to 3 was epic , Judgement just made me realize the game ran it’s course.
    If they reboot the game I won’t buy it ,but if they do a new story line I will have a look and give them a fair chance of taking my money.

    Reply

  16. Rags

    January 28, 2014 at 09:22

    Good, time for epic to announce the new FPS IP and work on some fresh stuff. MS playing it safe?

    Reply

  17. Skyblue

    January 28, 2014 at 09:37

    I’d buy a new Gears game if but it would have to:

    a. Be written by Neil Blomkamp preferably based on a Phillip K. Dick premise.
    b. Russel Crowe voicing the lead character.
    c. Ensemble cast to include Vin Diesel, Patrick Stewart, Bill Murray, Christopher Walken, Cristoph Waltz and Scarlett Johanssen.
    d. Narrator – James Earl Jones or Morgan Freeman (no negotiation on this)
    e. Soundtrack featuring Goodbye Horses (Q Lazzarus), The Four Horsemen (Metallica), anything (Depeche Mode, Rammstein, Soundgarden and/or Audioslave).

    These are my conditions and the are set in stone… mostly

    Reply

  18. El Capitan del Blade

    January 28, 2014 at 09:52

    Honestly, I see this as Microsoft Scrambling to acquire IP for the Xbox One, Most likely as an answer to Resolution-gate.

    So, you might not get many games running in native 1080p, but we got us some HALO and some Gears!

    Reply

    • Skyblue

      January 28, 2014 at 10:19

      Thing is that when u factor in Titanfall, M$ have effectively managed to corner in the non-COD multiplayer market completely. Halo and Gears comprised half of the X360 multiplayer spectrum and M$ are clearly focused on keeping their brand as the multiplayer leading plaform.
      I don’t see it as a response to “resolution-gate” but rather a strategy in keeping with their multiplayer focus philosophy.

      Reply

  19. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    January 28, 2014 at 11:17

    I’m actually excited for Microsoft, because by securing Gears of War (a series almost synonymous with the xbox 360) it tells me they may have seen the light and realised that games matter more than superfluous TV crap or Eye Toy-like interfaces.

    However, I used to be a huge Gears fan, but much like with the Matrix, the sequels ruined it. I didn’t even bother with Judgement because I hate the idea of prequels (more often than not, they’re just lazy cashgrabs). In other words, not even a new Gears game will get me to consider a xbone. It’s a shame, because while the Locust War might be over, I’m sure other threats remain.

    Reply

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