Microsoft lost a few of its greatest console exclusives to Sony last generation. Imagine a world where BioShock – up to and including Infinite – or the Mass Effect trilogy had only appeared on Xbox 360 and PC rather than the PS3 and even Wii U for the latter.
Now that Epic and Microsoft have moved apart, with BulletStorm appearing on PS3, Microsoft are making sure to keep one of their best exclusive series close, and they’ve purchased the license for the Gears of War franchise from Epic Games.
That naturally means there’s a new Xbox One title on the way from Black Tusk Studios, helmed by Rod Fergusson who formerly worked as director of production at Epic and helped with the development of BioShock Infinite. They’ll still work closely with Epic to make sure development goes smoothly. Rod said:
I’m extremely excited to be joining Black Tusk Studios to oversee development on the “Gears of War” franchise. 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.
Impressively, Gears of War has sold over 22 million units as a franchise. I think it’s easy to see why Microsoft purchased it then, particularly when it’s likely that Titanfall’s sequel will manage to make its way to other platforms.
Source: Xbox Wire
Nixy
Good news that Microsoft are trying to ensure that supporters of their platform have some exclusive IP’s but hasn’t the franchise been in decline since Gears 2?
quinkill
Thank God! None of that on Playstation thank you very much.
hazelam
probably a smart move on their part.
next to Halo, GOW has probably been one of the top exclusive franchises on Xbox.
having it go multiformat could have cost them dearly.
i wouldn’t have minded seeing a Gears game on Playstation, but i’m not too bothered now i know i won’t.
JesseDeya
All of a sudden 60 million playstation gamer’s voices cried out in unison…. “and?”
XIII_WarMachine
and? (JesseDeya you read my mind haha)
Andrewww
Agreed, I couldn’t care less. There’s more than enough good games in the Playstation universe.
a inferior race
Gears is a very good game.
Wardy-77-
Gears was alright a dam sight better than the bobboar that goes by the name Halo,I certainly won’t be losing any sleep over this.
Cron_13
I always enjoyed the GoW franchise personally. Makes sense that Microsoft are protecting its exclusives, good news they’ll be bringing it to the X1.
Lieutenant Fatman
Just glad it wasn’t Mass Effect that remained an exclusive.
Sad Panda
Loved the Gears series, but it peaked at 3. Judgement was ok but I grew tired of it quickly.
A real Gears, written by Karen Traviss would be the game that could convince me to buy an Xbox one.
I have far more interest in infamous and a ps4 Uncharted at the moment.
JR.
*crickets*
TSBonyman
Given that Microsoft were pretty much saying a few months ago that the Gears series had run it’s course, this is a surprise. They must be planning a conmplete reboot for the series.