Microsoft Now Own Gears of War

The first megaton announcement of the year has blown the collective socks off of gamers everywhere. Microsoft have today announced that they’ve acquired the Gears of War IP off Epic. Epic will no longer be involved with the adventures of the COG and there’s no chance the franchise will make it to a Sony console.

Black Tusk Studios, formerly Microsoft Vancouver, will be leading development on the franchise, and you can expect more announcements about where the franchise is heading over the next year or so.

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.

Will those that follow the games industry less closely notice the change in management? It seems rather unlikely. Gears isn’t just a space marine shooter, it’s a style. If you get rid of that style, you get rid of everything.