Xbox is one of the top gaming consoles of the modern era, as it caters to millions of users from different parts of the world. However, the sole credit goes to its developers, who introduced this next-gen console in 2001.

Microsoft never limited its focus to creating the hardware, but always kept an eye out for potential partnerships. They shook hands with multiple game developers, turning the deals into Xbox exclusives and securing ownership. 

And today, we have a story of one of their biggest acquisitions that turned things around for both parties. Back in 2014, Microsoft took over the Gears Of War franchise, Epic Games. The Unreal Engine game surfed through high waves, causing problems to reach the shore. So, Epic decided to play smart and sell it off as they had multiple projects in line. 

However, the sale idea fell through two years later after one of its main designers parted ways with the franchise. Epic was confused about what to do with it then, and selling it looked like the best option.

Epic Games sold Gears Of War to Xbox after being confused about the franchise  

Gears Of War was one of the biggest gaming series of its time, as it allured thousands of players. The game’s uniqueness and fast pace attracted all as they looked forward to the next one. While it was all well for Epic for years, they stumbled upon barrels after 2012. 

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Cliff Bleszinski, one of the game’s leading designers, broke the silence about the game’s selloff. “I honestly think once Lee Perry, myself, and Rod Ferguson left, I believe that Epic didn’t really know what to do with the franchise,” Cliff said in a recent IGN interview. “They hadn’t shipped a game in a while. The [Unreal] engine was doing rather well, but they were growing, and they probably needed the income even though they really didn’t know what to do with the future of the franchise.”  

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The massive selloff helped Epic majorly as it finally received the desired funds for its upcoming projects. However, they lost a once-upon-a-time ‘epic’ to Coalition Games Canada (Xbox-owned Game Studios). 

Still, the pit-stop only lasted for a few days as the franchise then focused on a game now known as ‘Fortnite.’ Epic Games finally broke the benchmark and achieved massive success, developing one of the top-grossing games of all time.