Take-Two announces plans to launch a ‘new Gearbox franchise’ before April 2022

Take-Two has announced plans to launch a new franchise from Borderlands developer Gearbox Software during the publisher’s current fiscal year ending on March 31, 2022.

The company said on Tuesday that it intends to release 21 games during its current fiscal year, including four “immersive core” games – two from “proven” franchises and two from “new” ones, according to CEO Strauss Zelnick.

Gearbox’s new game, which was mentioned during the publisher’s full-year earnings call, presumably fits into the “immersive core” category.

Take-Two president Karl Slatoff said this category consists of titles offering highly engaging gameplay – products such as Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption and Borderlands, plus the company’s strategy games and sports simulations.

“2K will also introduce two releases from new franchises this year, including one from Gearbox,” Slatoff confirmed.

UPDATE 19/05/21: Following VGC’s report, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford said on Wednesday that the studio has put “years of work” into the mystery project.

ORIGINAL STORY CONTINUES: Take-Two called Borderlands 3 “2K’s fastest selling title” in its full-year earnings presentation, with the game having shipped some 13 million units since its release in September 2019.

Embracer Group announced in February that is was set to acquire Texas-based Gearbox for up to $1.4 billion.

Following the announcement, 2K said it would continue to work with Gearbox on the Borderlands franchise and hinted at collaborations on other projects too.

“As the proud publisher of the Borderlands franchise, we are happy for our partners at Gearbox and this exciting new chapter for their organisation,” it said.

Further reading

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Gearbox says it will continue to work with 2K on Borderlands after its sale

Developer says it's "agreed on certain rights" for the series, but it owns the IP

“The merger does not change 2K’s relationship with Gearbox nor our role as the publisher for the Borderlands IP or any other projects we are currently working on with the studio. We look forward to continuing our long-term partnership with this incredibly talented team and delivering many more exciting entertainment experiences to gaming fans around the world.”

Take-Two also announced on Tuesday that Civilization and XCOM developer Firaxis Games is set to reveal “several exciting projects” later this year.

The company delayed the first entry in 2K’s new series of NFL games too.