Microsoft Studios Acquires Rights to the Gears of War Franchise

[Shawn Zipay]

Gears of War is officially going to remain in the Xbox camp as Microsoft revealed today that they have acquired the rights to the franchise. Microsoft Studios has picked up the rights for the franchise from Epic Games, which includes all past and future titles in the series.

Black Tusk Studios will assume control over the development of the franchise moving forward. Rod Fergusson, the former Director of Production at Epic, will "play a key studio leadership role" at Black Tusk. A brief interview with Phil Spencer and Hanno Lemke shed some additional light on this acquisition.

Why was an as-yet-unproven studio like Black Tusk chosen to lead the “Gears of War” development over a more established studio?

Phil Spencer: 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, 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.

Microsoft says that fans should expect to hear more about future Gears of War titles later on in 2014.