Microsoft Acquires Rights to Gears of War Franchise

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In an announcement today, Microsoft has acquired the rights to the Gear of War franchise from developer Epic Games.

The series will now be developed by relative newcomer Black Tusk Studios.

Along with the series migration to Black Tusk, Rod Fergusson, former director and production of the series at Epic Games will join Microsoft to “play a key studio leadership role at Black Tusk.”



In an accompanying interview Phil Spencer, Head of Microsoft Studios, spoke out in support of handing over one of Xbox’s most recognizable brands to a new studio, saying that “Black Tusk has assembled a world-class team with deep experience and passion for the shooter space, and specifically the Gears of War franchise. I am extremely confident that under the leadership of Hanno Lemke (General Manager at Black Tusk), Rod Fergusson and our other leaders in the studio, Black Tusk is well equipped to take on the future development of the Gears of War franchise.”

This follows Spencer’s tweeting expressing his desire to keep Gears of War an Xbox franchise in light of rumors that the series could become a multiplatform franchise this generation.

The announcement did not confirm outright that a new Gears of War game is currently in the works, but Lemke stated that Black Tusk hopes to be able to share more news about the future of the Gears of War series “later this year.”

(Source: Xbox Wire)