Cliff Bleszinski, the mastermind behind the creation and design of the Gears of War franchise at Epic Games before parting ways with the company, has expressed the need for a “refresh” for the franchise, which is currently under the ownership of Microsoft. In an interview with ComicBook, Bleszinski drew parallels to the recent reboot of God of War in 2018, stating that the Gears franchise could benefit from a similar approach.
Bleszinski further revealed that Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has direct access to him and that he would be “delighted to provide guidance” for any future Gears game. He emphasized that the Gears franchise holds a special place in his heart, often revisiting scenes from the series on YouTube. Bleszinski expressed pride in his contributions to the immensely popular series.
“Certainly, I appreciate financial success. Who wouldn’t? I enjoy indulging in prime rib steak and sushi occasionally, but what truly matters is the impact of your work. When I read comments about the emotional impact of the cut scenes in Gears of War, particularly when Dom dies, and people share how they were left speechless and moved, it’s truly humbling,” Bleszinski shared. “To witness individuals permanently marking their bodies with tattoos inspired by something you created is the ultimate form of flattery.”
In 2014, Microsoft acquired the Gears series from Epic and entrusted its development to The Coalition. The studio has since released mainline installments such as Gears of War 4 and Gears 5. Currently, The Coalition is reportedly working on the highly anticipated Gears 6.
Sony’s 2018 reboot of God of War garnered both critical acclaim and commercial success, leading to the creation of a sequel, God of War Ragnarok, set to release in 2022. These games breathed new life into the God of War series, propelling it forward in exciting new directions. While the God of War Norse series concluded with Ragnarok, given the immense triumph of the franchise, it would not be surprising to witness its return.
Following his departure from Epic Games, Bleszinski founded a new studio called Boss Key, which released the game LawBreakers. Unfortunately, the title failed to resonate with audiences, resulting in its closure. Subsequently, the studio itself shut down. Bleszinski has now shifted his focus to a comic series titled Scrapper.