Black Tusk has only just started work on its debut Gears entry

Microsoft's new Black Tusk studio is but a week into development on its debut Gears of War game for Xbox One, says Microsoft Studios head Phil Spencer.

The platform holder announced on Monday that it had acquired the rights to the Gears Of War franchise from series creator Epic Games, and put Black Tusk in charge of development. Very little development was done prior to that announcement, Spencer has revealed after being quizzed via Twitter.

"Leadership team has been involved for a month but studio has only been on Gears for a week," said Spencer on Wednesday.

This would suggest that the fruits of the new deal - the first Gears of War game for Microsoft's new console - is still a long way off, with most modern AAA titles typically taking at least two years to develop.

Microsoft has recruited Rod Fergusson, former director of production at Epic Games on the Gears of War franchise, to oversee the development of the franchise at its new home.

Black Tusk Studios formed in late 2012 as a rebranded version of Microsoft Vancouver. At the time it was formed, studio manager Mike Crump said Black Tusk was "working on Microsoft's next big entertainment franchise".

Black Tusk's GM, Hanno Lemke said the studio will collaborate closely with Epic "to ensure the inclusion of the Unreal Engine technology into the Gears of War franchise going forward remains consistent with the high quality fans have come to expect from the franchise."

Posted: Jan 29, 2014 5:47 pm
Related Forum: Gaming Discussion

Source: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/447326/gears-of-war-for-xbox-one-just-one-week-into-development/