Black Tusk Studios are a bit of an enigma. The studio were originally introduced with a highly impressive concept video, working on a top secret exclusive for Xbox One. The original trailer drew cries of Perfect Dark and Crackdown, neither of which appear to have been true.
Since then, Microsoft acquired the rights to Gears of War from Epic Games, possibly the only Xbox One franchise that has the balls to stand in Halo’s shadow. Black Tusk Studios then shifted tac, taking on Gears of War itself.
Gears enjoys a tight community thanks to forum participation and continued support and content for the games’ multiplayer modes – which are continuously populated to this day. After the announcement of the gargantuan Halo: Master Chief Collection, there was a loud outcry begging for Gears of War to get the same treatment.
Whilst Microsoft haven’t committed themselves to an Gears Collection announcement yet, it seems pretty bloody likely, considering it’s one of the highest rated requests on the Xbox UserVoice page.
Besides that, Black Tusk Studios are known to be working on a new Gears of War, built entirely for Xbox One. Lead developer Rod Fergusson made the jump from Epic Games to continue working on Gears – and for an individual to uproot themselves from a stable job in a familiar environment to join a new company with a different corporate culture speaks volumes of Rod’s commitment to the franchise. Gears heads have every right to be excited.
Gears of War 4 information remains scant. However, we do know it will implement the sickeningly impressive Unreal Engine 4, which is being developed closely with Microsoft to support DX12.
We do know that Rod Fergusson has discussed ‘betraying fans’ to bring something new to the franchise – sending speculators wild.
“You actually have to betray them enough to give them something new and surprising but not so much that they disconnect, and I think that is a big thing that we have to focus on. It’s how we can innovate and bring something new to the franchise while at the same time really proving that we understand Gears – that this is the franchise that you know and love.”
Should we expect Gears of War news at E3? It’s hard to say – but after only a year, it seems unlikely. What does seem likely however, is that Gears of War 4 will blow minds when it finally arrives.
