Earlier this week, reports surfaced online about Microsoft potentially bringing several Xbox exclusives to other platforms like PlayStation and Nintendo, which includes Starfield, Hi-Fi Rush and apparently the next Halo game. Now, another report claims that the Gears of War franchise might also be getting the multi-platform treatment from Microsoft.
The report originates from Giant Bomb’s Jeff Grubb, who has a great track record of accurate industry insider leaks. Grubb claims that Microsoft is considering bringing Gears of War, Xbox’s major third-person shooter series, to PlayStation consoles. “The other one that I’ve heard that’s definitely under consideration—it doesn’t mean that it’s going to happen, but it’s in talks—is Gears of War,” said Grubb. “Gears of War is being considered for this.”
Microsoft sales indicate that the Gears of War franchise sold over 22 million units and generated over $1 billion in revenue after Xbox acquired the IP from Epic Games in 2014. Two mainline entries, 2016’s Gears of War 4 and 2019’s Gears 5, were released since then, not including the turn-based RTS spin-off series, Gears Tactics.
Developer The Coalition began hiring for the next Gears of War game back in March 2023, which is currently being built in Unreal Engine 5. Other rumours suggest that the sixth mainline entry could feature a semi open-world to explore – a concept that was briefly explored in a Gears 5 section.
The expansion of the IP doesn’t stop with new game entries, though, as Netflix previously acquired the rights to develop a live-action Gears of War movie. Last year, Dune and Prometheus screenwriter Jon Spaihts was hired to write the script for the movie adaptation. We’ve heard nothing about the project since then other than Dave Bautista throwing his name out to potentially play protagonist Marcus Fenix.
It will be interesting see how the gaming community takes this news, should it officially be revealed by Microsoft.
Source: Jeff Grubb
