Microsoft is reportedly considering bringing the Gears of War franchise to PlayStation, as part of a new initiative to release more Xbox-exclusive games on other console platforms. This comes after recent claims that Microsoft may release PlayStation 5 versions of Bethesda’s Starfield and Indiana Jones games, in addition to Hi-Fi Rush and Sea of Thieves ports. Jeff Grubb from Giant Bomb revealed the possibility saying, “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.”
If Microsoft goes through with this plan, it would mark a significant shift in strategy for the company, which previously maintained a strict policy of Xbox-exclusive titles. However, the move could potentially expose the Gears of War franchise to an even larger audience on the PlayStation platform. Microsoft was initially planning to publicly announce its new initiative at the end of February. However, given the mounting speculation, an official announcement may come earlier.
The Gears of War franchise is a significant one for Microsoft, grossing over $1 billion dollars when the company acquired it in 2014. The coalition, the developer behind the series, had also expressed plans to transition to next-gen development using Unreal Engine 5, although no new releases were planned to be announced in the near future. Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski recently suggested that Microsoft should enlist him as a consultant on the franchise. Additionally, Netflix has announced plans to release several Gears of War projects, including a live-action film followed by an adult animated series.