Microsoft has announced that they have purchased the Gears of War franchise from original developer Epic Games and given the series over to Black Tusk Studios, ensuring that the series stays on Microsoft platforms. Now, the co-founder of Epic Games, Cliff Bleszinski, has spoken about the news on his official blog and revealed how he feels about the series he helped put on the map being sold off.

Bleszinski, who is no longer with Epic Games and is not joining Black Tusk Studios, is happy that the franchise has found a new home and believes Rod Fergusson, who created the series alongside Bleszinski, will do a fine job of guiding the series forward:

"My former employer has sold the Gears of War IP/franchise to Microsoft and my friend Rod Fergusson is going to be working on it. To be honest, I don't think the franchise could be in better hands. Heck, Rod's Twitter handle, to this day, is 'Gears Viking.' Gears is just as much Rod's baby as it was mine. He'll take good care of her."

The developer also revealed that Xbox boss Phil Spencer personally told him about the sale, and Bleszinski is confident that Black Tusk Studios can continue to strong legacy the Gears of War franchise has enjoyed:

"Phil Spencer went out of his way to give me a phone call to inform me of the transaction last week. Phil, you didn't have to do that, you're a gentleman. I appreciate it; that goes a long way. 343 knocked it out of the park with Halo and I think Black Tusk will do a fantastic job with Gears."

The outspoken video game creator strongly reiterated that he is uninterested in returning to the franchise, but is instead looking to the future rather than the past:

"I'm not going to move to Vancouver and work on it. I'm not going to consult on it.

My headspace is in the future now, not the past. I have come to realize that until you give people something new to focus on they will obsess about the past...To those of you who love Gears, I love you as well, and I appreciate your support through the years. The fandom, the cosplay, the tattoos, it all means more than any amount of money could ever mean."

Microsoft has yet to formally announce a new Gears of War game for the Xbox One, but considering that the company now owns the franchise fans should expect an announcement concerning a new entry to the series sometime in the future.