Hero-of-Time Posted January 27, 2014 Posted January 27, 2014 Today we're excited to announce that Microsoft Studios has acquired the rights to the “Gears of War” franchise from Epic Games, including rights to all existing and future games, entertainment experiences and merchandise. In addition, we are excited to announce that Black Tusk Studios in Vancouver, BC will take over development of the “Gears of War” franchise and that Rod Fergusson, former Director of Production at Epic Games on the “Gears of War” franchise, will join Microsoft and play a key studio leadership role at Black Tusk on the development of the franchise going forward. We had a chance to chat with Phil Spencer, Head of Microsoft Studios, Hanno Lemke, General Manager of Black Tusk Studios at Microsoft Studios, and Rod Fergusson about the big news. Good stuff. Now give me a Trilogy upgrade for the One while you work on a new one.
Happenstance Posted January 27, 2014 Posted January 27, 2014 Good move for MS, they need to keep all the exclusives they can get. Im certainly not bothered that it wont ever come to other consoles though, I've never liked the Gears games.
S.C.G Posted January 27, 2014 Posted January 27, 2014 I'm somewhat surprised that this hadn't already happened... :p Gears of War has always famously only appeared on platforms either owned by or associated with Microsoft - Xbox 360/PC - so this seems to be a no-brainer really. Sadly I lost interest in the series after GoW3... well not really sadly, I just found other games more worthy of my time to play. But the games always seem to have been consistent just not really worthy of the full price-tag since Judgement in my opinion.
Cube Posted January 27, 2014 Posted January 27, 2014 I thought the franchise was done with. It got tiring by the third, and a fourth would just feel utterly pointless. I think a completely new setting would be best - although I suppose they could keep the name for marketing.
Hero-of-Time Posted January 27, 2014 Author Posted January 27, 2014 Yeah, Judgment sucked and I say this as a huge Gears fan. I love the franchise though. The multiplayer is brilliant when playing with your mates, especially Horde mode. I personally wouldn't mind a game set during the Pendulum Wars. Of course this would eliminate the Locust but killing Indies would be fun.
bryanee Posted January 27, 2014 Posted January 27, 2014 Ehhhh only the first game was truly great in the single player the department. The rest of them are so so, and the fourth title is just boring all round. Black Tusk will probably be forced to be a Gears only studio which is a shame.
Jimbob Posted January 27, 2014 Posted January 27, 2014 I always thought Gears was a Microsoft-only franchise just moved around to different companies to make. I guess Microsoft threw the money after Epic probably decided to go multi-format and Microsoft didn't want Gears going that way probably. Problem is, the new studio will become Gears-only which will be sad for a young team. But good for Microsoft for keeping the franchise exclusive.
Cube Posted January 27, 2014 Posted January 27, 2014 Yeah, Judgment sucked and I say this as a huge Gears fan. Actually, I forgot it existed. It always slips my mind that they actually did make a fourth.
Dog-amoto Posted January 27, 2014 Posted January 27, 2014 I enjoyed being able to do the crazy glitches in the first one. The chainsaw long jump, the remote chainsaw, and getting off certain maps. Especially Tyro Station and Clocktower. Not during real matches though. Just dicking about with friends.
Shorty Posted January 27, 2014 Posted January 27, 2014 (edited) This franchise has been done into the ground. Loved the first three and didn't even care to pick up the 4th since it felt like the ultimate cash-in. Instead of buying this they should be making something fresh. Epic are probably laughing all the way to the bank. They'll take the money and make something awesome and new for PS4 while Microsoft make Gears of War Trilogy 900p/30fps version. Edited January 27, 2014 by Shorty
bob Posted January 27, 2014 Posted January 27, 2014 The games had some good set pieces, but we're otherwise fairly forgettable. I did enjoy playing them though.
Sheikah Posted January 27, 2014 Posted January 27, 2014 I got pretty bored of this to be honest. It sorta feels like what happened with the Halo series - insanely popular to begin with yet fizzled out in terms of people recommending it/caring much about it by the end.
flameboy Posted January 27, 2014 Posted January 27, 2014 Good stuff. Now give me a Trilogy upgrade for the One while you work on a new one. Yes this! I need to catch up!
Daft Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 Can't help being not just completely apathetic about this but also that Microsoft will waste resources on a bought IP instead of creating a new one.
flameboy Posted January 28, 2014 Posted January 28, 2014 Can't help being not just completely apathetic about this but also that Microsoft will waste resources on a bought IP instead of creating a new one. So I am kind of leaning on this side at the moment....Now that I found out Black Tusk is working on this seemingly at the expense of a new IP they have been working on for ages. Having not followed Xbox news ever I wasn't aware of this. However I can certainly see the merits of a new franchise rather than people who played the other games in the Gears series now facing up to the fact they are likely to have 3/4 Gears games this gen and 3/4 Halo games and 3/4 Forza games. I guess Sony aren't that different with Killzone and Uncharted but at least there is new stuff coming such as Driveclub, The Order etc... Whereas I'm not really sure what Microsoft Studios games we have that are new IP. D4? Sunset Overdrive?
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