We all know that the future of gaming will be about new visuals, new waggle movement technology and games starring heroes who look like they pump more steroids in their veins than an entire gym locker room. Epic Games may have moved onto greener pastures, leaving Gears of War behind, but there’s a good reason for that. It’s because Epic lost interest in the franchise.
“It was one of those rare moments when both Epic and Microsoft were able to make a business [decision] that was obviously best for the community,” Epic Games boss Tim Sweeney said at GDC via Polygon.
Much better to have Microsoft building Gears games than for it to be sitting on the shelf unused by Epic. Selling an IP like that is a rare thing. Most companies look at it as their crown jewels but at Epic we had a practical view of it: We weren’t going to build it and we realised the world wanted more Gears of War.
As for why Epic got so tired of the franchise in the first place, that’s because chainsawing a mutant Morlock on an alien planet didn’t gel well with the current direction of the studio. “As much as we love the game, we’re heading in a new direction,” Sweeney said.
The core Gears values are really tied to being big event-based, single-player console games with awesome cover mechanics and other things that really didn’t translate into the future approach we were taking with online games, and competitive and cooperative multiplayer.
Because we weren’t planning on building any more Gears games we were just going to let that sit on the shelf for a decade or more, in case it had any future value to us.
The future certainly looks busy for the franchise now that Microsoft is in full control of their flagship title. An Xbox One release is inevitable, with the next game being developed by former Gears of War series producer Rod Fergusson and Black Tusk.
And to be honest, I’m kind of keen to rev up my chainsaw and get revenge on a certain pink shotgun wielder again.
Last Updated: March 27, 2014
Umar hearts Grandia
March 27, 2014 at 09:20
Mweocus Feline!!
Admiral Chief of Auraxis
March 27, 2014 at 09:26
hahahahaha
Admiral Chief of Auraxis
March 27, 2014 at 09:26
Private Catmine
VampyreSquirrel
March 27, 2014 at 09:44
*salutes* Private Catmine!
Admiral Chief of Auraxis
March 27, 2014 at 09:45
Never forget
Kensei Seraph
March 27, 2014 at 09:45
Never forgive.
VampyreSquirrel
March 27, 2014 at 09:49
Never surrender
TiMsTeR1033
March 27, 2014 at 09:45
So I believe you having much power with your barbarian?
VampyreSquirrel
March 27, 2014 at 09:49
It’s sooooo over powered man… you have no idea. I’m getting to the stage that I’ll walk into a shop and spend R400 on the expansion… but I’ll wait and see what happens with the Lagz comp first 😛
TiMsTeR1033
March 27, 2014 at 09:49
I hope you win man.
VampyreSquirrel
March 27, 2014 at 09:51
I hope I do too… but it’s the 5th competition I’ve entered to win the game… all the others are finished… the odds don’t look to be in my favor.
Admiral Chief of Auraxis
March 27, 2014 at 09:51
You’d better buy it, since I winning it
VampyreSquirrel
March 27, 2014 at 09:54
No chance! It’s mine, or someone else’s… as long as you don’t win 😛
Just kidding… best of luck dude… you’ve been spending many hours on there according to Steam (of all the places to report that)
Rince
March 27, 2014 at 10:06
HAHAHA 🙂
VampyreSquirrel
March 27, 2014 at 10:14
Stop looking in the mirror… maybe you’ll stop laughing 😛
I’m doing improvements to your island btw… I think you’ll like it when I’m done.
Kromas
March 27, 2014 at 09:22
GIEF FORTNIGHT!!!!! Seriously at least a new updated trailer would do!
Brett Gunter
March 27, 2014 at 09:28
I wish they had decided to leave this on the shelf, looooong before Judgement was ever concieved.
I hate to see what was such a great trilogy (and should have remained so) get milked, again, and again…
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 27, 2014 at 09:36
“It was one of those rare moments when both Epic and Microsoft were able to make a business [decision] that was obviously best for the community,” Epic Games boss Tim Sweeney
BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAbreathbreathBWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Priceless!
Rince
March 27, 2014 at 10:07
Agreed #Door 2 0-O
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 27, 2014 at 09:42
So they’re moving to always online, competitive, MP. Now I know not to get interested in anything they’re releasing.
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
#ForeverSP
Kensei Seraph
March 27, 2014 at 09:45
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less crowded,
And that has made all the difference.
Might be a better interpretation.
There are probably almost as many, if not more, #ForeverSP than #ForeverMP gamers but we each travel on our own.
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 27, 2014 at 09:49
Now you just ruined it. I hope you’re happy. 😛
Kensei Seraph
March 27, 2014 at 09:50
Honestly, no I am not.
Alien Emperor Trevor
March 27, 2014 at 09:52
Well I’m not really that upset. I suppose I should have gone with “I can’t hear you, I’m all alone on my path” after all. lol
Kensei Seraph
March 27, 2014 at 09:55
That what walkie talkies are for.
Or the old two cans connected by string.
Rikus
March 27, 2014 at 09:47
And I guess the suckage of Judgment contributed to this decision?
Rags
March 27, 2014 at 09:49
Or the lack of passion for GOW led to the suckage of Judgment? 😛
Either way, good to hear. EPIC should be doing new IP and give up some new MP goodness! 🙂
Rikus
March 27, 2014 at 09:50
As they say, “one thing led to another…”
TiMsTeR1033
March 27, 2014 at 09:50
I didn’t even attempt to play it, GOW 3 was fun and good game but even then for me, Gears was starting to get old.
Rikus
March 27, 2014 at 09:56
To be honest, I only finished GOW 1 and completely missed the “wow” factor everyone was talking about. It was a fun co-op game, but nothing else. I heard 2 is the best one, so I got that, but haven’t played it yet. If it really provides the “wow” factor, I might give 3 a shot, but will stop there. Everything I’ve heard (and seen) about Judgment makes me not want to play it.
VampyreSquirrel
March 27, 2014 at 09:59
Doesn’t affect me… I played GoW2 for about 20 minutes and then sold it.
Rince
March 27, 2014 at 10:06
“What do I look like, a fucking botanist?”
VampyreSquirrel
March 27, 2014 at 10:14
Why yes… yes you do
Rince
March 27, 2014 at 10:20
Thanks! 🙂
Rince
March 27, 2014 at 10:29
Picture looks like OVG ‘Revive me!’
Kensei Seraph
March 27, 2014 at 10:33
The burn is strong with this one.
Rince
March 27, 2014 at 10:38
Hehehehe
Johnny
March 27, 2014 at 14:54
Cool can’t wait to see what they do with it.
Jim
April 21, 2014 at 19:30
Can’t wait to play Epic’s new game (whatever it is) and Microsoft’s Gears of War.