There are so many different developers operating today, producing a variety of titles and even long-running series that players have enjoyed across the decades.Gearbox Software, probably most known for its successfulBorderlandsseries, is one of the developers that started life towards the end of the last century. Some developers that were founded at a similar time, like Lionhead Studios, are sadly no longer around, but Gearbox is continuing to make and release popular games to this day, with more on the way.
Some of Gearbox’s long-running franchises still have plenty of life in them, like the hugely popularBorderlandsseries with its various spin-offs and newest installmentTiny Tina’s Wonderlands. Others have been passed on to new studios, even if they appear to be either languishing in development hell or have since gone quiet. But there is one that it seems to have abandoned in favor of newer franchises, although withnine different games currently in development at Gearbox, some may be ready for another fresh entry.
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Gearbox Games Getting New Titles
In addition to theBorderlandsseries – which even has an upcoming film adaptation in the works starring Cate Blanchett and Kevin Hart – Gearbox still has a few series with some life yet in them. Thesci-fi RTS seriesHomeworldis getting its third installmentset to release sometime this year, and while another studio is technically developingHomeworld 3,Gearbox will be publishing the latest entry after it developed theHomeworld Remastered Collectionin 2015.
Fans know that there are several games currently in development at Gearbox, and while some have already been confirmed, others remain a mystery. One title that players do know is coming isan untitled entry in theBrothers in Armsfranchise. The tactical shooter games were first released in 2005 withBrothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30,and nine mainline games followed over the intervening years. There was a bumpy patch a few years ago withBrothers in Arms: Furious 4switching to a standalone IP before being canceled, but it seems like things are back on track with the franchise.
Duke Nukem Gets Dropped
Another title that started life in another studio isDuke Nukem. The first three games in the series were developed in the 90s by Apogee Software (now 3D Realms), who bought the chaotic 2D platformer and later 3D shooter to players with its bombastic gameplay and larger-than-life combat.Duke Nukem 3Dreally put the franchise on the map, opening up the world of the titular Duke Nukem and helping to popularize the first-person shooter.The fourth installment,Duke Nukem Forever,spent almost a decade and a half in development after numerous issues and was eventually taken over by other developers after downsizing at 3D Realms.
Gearbox was one of the teams that stepped in to help and bought the rights forDuke Nukemand the existing work onDuke Nukem Foreverin 2010. Despite a fairly negative critical response – in part due to the unfinished feeling of the game –Duke Nukem Foreverhad a strong release among fans of the series and managed to make a profit. Another installment was briefly in the works at Gearbox, reportedly calledDuke Nukem Beginsthat was meant to help reboot the franchise, but it was quietly canceled a little more than a year into development. WhiletheDuke Nukemseries still has its fans, it doesn’t seem like Gearbox has any plans to revisit it any time soon.
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