Dragonborn
Member
So a lot mote Gears milking incoming. Disappointing, but not unexpected
So what's going ti happen to Black Tusks new IP?
So what's going ti happen to Black Tusks new IP?
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Microsoft Studios acquires rights to Gears of War franchise/Black Tusk does the work
- Thread starter ekim
- Start date
It may sound stupid but I feel that Gears is an "earned exclusive" for MS. They helped to build the brand and it is part of the XBOX DNA. I'm kind of sad that Black Tusk isn't developing a new IP though and the chances of them becoming a Gears exclusive studio could be very high.
Chittagong
Gold Member
This actually could be a really smart deal.
The IP seems to have pretty substantial commercial pull and the game mechanic is fairly cookie cutter so that even a mid weight studio could execute an authentic experience, provided they have a grip of required production values for those Gears of War trademark set pieces - which the E3 demo would indicate to be the case.
This would be cheaper than getting Epic on the job, and might even open the possibility of them building a new exclusive to broaden the portfolio. Cliffy pls
The IP seems to have pretty substantial commercial pull and the game mechanic is fairly cookie cutter so that even a mid weight studio could execute an authentic experience, provided they have a grip of required production values for those Gears of War trademark set pieces - which the E3 demo would indicate to be the case.
This would be cheaper than getting Epic on the job, and might even open the possibility of them building a new exclusive to broaden the portfolio. Cliffy pls
LiquidSolid
Member
Ugh. Don't really mind that they bought the franchise but I feel like this just sets up Microsoft to further milk yet another franchise instead of coming up with new ones. Turn 10 for Forza, 343 for Halo, Lionhead for Fable and now Black Tusk for Gears. All that's left in their first party lineup is Lionhead's second game and whatever the hell Rare's working on.
Very fitting that this came the day after the Royal Rumble though. Looking at their lineups, it doesn't seem like either company has changed all that much since 2007.
Very fitting that this came the day after the Royal Rumble though. Looking at their lineups, it doesn't seem like either company has changed all that much since 2007.
I was just thinking about how this series could have been left alone just fine earlier this morning if they just stopped after 3, and here is this news. I adored this series, but now? Not sure anymore.
As for Ferguson, I have nothing but respect for the guy. he has certainly made career moves that surprised me before, and they all ended up working out wonderfully for him. I'm somewhat sad that nothing ever came from him leading his own studio, though.
As for Ferguson, I have nothing but respect for the guy. he has certainly made career moves that surprised me before, and they all ended up working out wonderfully for him. I'm somewhat sad that nothing ever came from him leading his own studio, though.
intheinbetween
Member
plus, there's already a Project Spark beta running since some months ago
silver.tongue
Member
Apparently there's no new IP. That was just a concept... Not a real game.
Black Tusk is working on Gears.
This is a bad idea. Gears is loosing steam. I think people would be a lot more excited for a new IP for XBone.
7DollarHagane
Banned
I dunno, feels a lot like halo 4 and 343 to me. Microsoft dragging a series that's pretty well finished through lifeless iterations that have no real reason to exist except that some executive thinks the "brand" is too valuable to put on hiatus for a few years and try something new.
And that's the real thing most people want, is just for the series to take a break for 3-4 years and come back to it when it makes sense, not pull some gears factory to make the games just because its a recognized brand.
And that's the real thing most people want, is just for the series to take a break for 3-4 years and come back to it when it makes sense, not pull some gears factory to make the games just because its a recognized brand.
DirtyLarry
Member
Someone asked earlier in the thread and for whatever reason it was not answered, but I also ask it with all sincerity as well...
Who is Black Tusk and why is this big news?
Who is Black Tusk and why is this big news?
IndigoStyle
Banned
Oh shit, i know a lot of people who have waited to get an Xbox One for this.
Hopefully a new engine will make Gears of war fresh again.
Hopefully a new engine will make Gears of war fresh again.
RyanPierre
Member
It's a billion dollar grossing franchise according to Microsoft's press release. Even if Epic isn't making another installment now, they recognized the future sales potential of the brand and they recognized that Microsoft would probably really, really like to own the IP. I'd assume it went for a pretty decent price.
Insane Metal
Member
Goddamn!
Well yes, as Sony does but with a little bit more new IPs.You mean like Killzone, Infamous and Uncharted?In all seriousness, this news pleases me as Gears is one of my favorite franchises and its good to it will continue as a series.
ElRenoRaven
Member
Just saw this news. I believe HOLYSHIT describes this news. Will be interesting to see what they do with the franchise.
Hero_of_the_Day
Member
Because MS isn't just announcing they are making another Gears game. They are announcing they fucking OWN Gears. No more having to make deals with Epic to keep the franchise exclusive. And no more Epic working on the series is pretty interesting news.
New IPs are always a risk especially if you havent got the first party devs to really pull off somehting big. Even if Halo and Gears doesnt sell as much as expected its a solid effort as you can count easily a few million sold copies in, which isnt so bad actually.
Black Mantis
Member
Except Gears could have come to Playstation if Epic kept the rights and wanted it to. R&C is Sony's IP and they'd have to cease existing for it to appear on other consoles. Big difference.
Steverulez
Member
Lionhead are working on Anniversary (out in a week), Legends and a game not in the Fable IP, so presumably something new.
Microsoft have Press Play and Twisted Pixel making new IPs
Remedy - Quantum Break (Microsoft owned IP)
Insomniac - Sunset Overdrive (Insomniac own that)
Rare are finishing Kinect Sports Rivals then going back to being a multi project studio working on I assume KS/older IPs
D4 coming from Swery
Ruffian are making a game for them I believe
Project Spark in Beta on Xbox One soon as well
Plus other stuff we don't know about
SEGAvangelist
Member
It's big news because Epic owned the rights and could have gone multiplatform with a sequel. Now it's locked in forever for MS.
Windom Earle
Member
I never asked for this. They were already pushing it with Judgment.
Vinterbird
Member
Black Tusk is formerly known as Microsoft Vancouver, formed in 2012 and is made up of industry veterans that were working on a new IP but is now on Gears of War.
MightyHedgehog
Member
If Sony keeps pumping out Uncharted, it only makes sense that MS will keep pumping out Gears of War. Interested, though they're going to have to really open up the design since it felt like they ran out of things to do with it by Judgment just like UC felt done by 3.
Dragonborn
Member
So the Gears/Halo/Forza cycle continues. MS doesn't gave the third party advantage anymore, their weak first party isn't going to cut it
Rare has been dead for a long time and Insomniac hasn't exactly been good since ACiT. I'm pretty sure press Play and Twisted pixel are small studio. Your post really does illustrate just how limited ms' first party is. Really makes me wonder what they're going to do going forward
Except Sony doesn't just pump out Uncharteds and GTs. They actually put out a lot of different exclusives throughout the year
KnockOneOff
Banned
Best news ever
Loved gears of war, now a reason for me to carry on playing
Loved gears of war, now a reason for me to carry on playing
Can't blame Rod Fergusson for bailing on 2K after they took their new IP and gave them Mafia instead. At least he knows what he's getting with Microsoft.
As for Epic, I think it's pretty clear they're done with games that aren't ongoing online services in the vein of what Tencent publishes, which is why we saw departures of key Gears of War staff about a year or so ago.
As for Epic, I think it's pretty clear they're done with games that aren't ongoing online services in the vein of what Tencent publishes, which is why we saw departures of key Gears of War staff about a year or so ago.
Nightengale
Member
Black Tusk has been hyped as the cream of the crop of MS's new internal studios. Several MS internal studios like Big Park and Victoria have pretty much been consolidated and absorbed into Black Tusk, and they're still recruiting highly experienced AAA-devs from all over the marketplace.
It's big news because Black Tusk has been hyped to be developing a 'next big IP equivalent to Halo', but now it's revealed that's a bunch of bollocks and they're now going to be nothing more than a Gears franchise farm.
Deadly Joker
Member
You're wrong.
According to Phil Spencer, the new IP never existed.
What do you have to say now?
MrMephistoX
Member
Eh I don't mind this model, Epic the innovators made a profit and are free to work on new IP. Kinda like when Naughty Dog sold Crash Bandicoot to Vivendi.
GluedOnBeard
Member
With Microsoft taking over and due to the Xbox Ones issues I think we can easily say bye to split screen on future installments and that was the only reason I liked Gears.
Triggerhappytel
Member
Why did this occur to you? Has Sony ever had a relationship with Epic? Sony seem more like the kind of publisher who'd rather invest in their own brands than buy others'.
Hero_of_the_Day
Member
Shit is crazy. And now MS just needs to hire Cliffy B.
travisbickle
Member
MS couldn't have said they copied Sony's 2006 E3 fully if they didn't also have some imaginary games up on stage.
LowerLevel
Member
Gears IP to include Bi-annual game, video series similar to Halo, possible outsourcing for mobile games and "Definitive Editions" and this doesn't really seem like too bad a purchase for MS. Gears with proper advertising is still a 1m+ seller...
Deadly Joker
Member
But Sony owns the Ratchet IP. Microsoft didn't before today.
Well, i guess its nice not having to hope epic revisits the franchise at some point now.
I wonder if this will be a sequel, although that seems like it would be forced, as opposed to a reboot or prequel (i really don't want a prequel).
So just like the other 4 games in the series. I just assumed that the gears series would be exclusive to Xbox, but I guess there was a chance it wouldn't. I'm not surprised by this.
Mihael Mello Keehl
Banned
ThoughtsOfSpeaking
Banned
As far as im concerned, Gears if done correctly is a bigger system seller than titanfall will ever be. Microsoft made a good call there. Its basically cementing the Xbox one as the home for shooters.