Cliff Bleszinski, the creator and designer of the Gears of War series, has expressed the need for a reboot of the franchise, now owned by Microsoft. Bleszinski drew a parallel to the successful reboot of the God of War game in 2018. He mentioned his willingness to offer consultation to Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer regarding any future Gears game. Despite leaving the company, Bleszinski emphasized that the Gears franchise holds a special place in his heart, and he occasionally revisits scenes from the series on YouTube, feeling proud of his contributions.
"Yes, I have a fondness for money. Don't we all? Indulging in prime rib steak and sushi occasionally is enjoyable, but what truly matters is knowing that your work has an impact. Upon reading the responses to those intense cut scenes from Gears of War, such as Dom's death, people express their deep emotions, saying things like, 'I had to set down the controller, my friend and I sat there in silence and shock.' Bleszinski stated, 'It is an incredibly flattering experience when individuals choose to permanently ink tattoos of something you created on their bodies.'
In 2014, Microsoft acquired the Gears series from Epic and assigned their team, The Coalition, to continue developing the franchise. Thus far, they have released significant installments in the series, including Gears of War 4 and Gears 5. There are reports that The Coalition is currently working on Gears 6."
Sony's 2018 reboot of God of War proved to be a critical and commercial triumph, paving the way for the highly anticipated sequel, God of War Ragnarok, set to release in 2022. These games revitalized the God of War series and propelled it forward in exciting new directions. While the Norse series concluded with Ragnarok, given its overwhelming success, it wouldn't come as a surprise if the franchise made a comeback.
Meanwhile, Bleszinski embarked on a new venture with his company, Boss Key, following his departure from Epic Games. While the studio released LawBreakers, unfortunately, it failed to resonate with audiences and ultimately led to the game's shutdown. As a result, Boss Key had to close its doors. Nevertheless, Bleszinski has shifted his focus to a new project, a comic series called Scrapper.
Editor's P/S
As a passionate fan of the Gears of War franchise, I am intrigued by the idea of a reboot inspired by the critically acclaimed God of War. The God of War reboot successfully revitalized the series, introducing new gameplay mechanics, a compelling narrative, and stunning visuals. A similar approach could benefit the Gears of War franchise, which has seen diminishing returns in recent installments.
Bleszinski's willingness to offer consultation to Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer is a positive sign, indicating his continued passion for the series. His insights and experience could prove invaluable in shaping the direction of a potential reboot. The Gears of War franchise has a rich history and a dedicated fan base, and a reboot could provide an opportunity to recapture the magic of the original trilogy while also introducing new ideas and gameplay elements.