Gears Tactics developer Splash Damage announces plans for a new sci-fi IP

Splash Damage, the British developer behind Gears Tactics and the PC versions of Gears 5 and Halo: The Master Chief Collection, has revealed that it’s working on a new sci-fi IP.

In a post on its website, the developer said: “We’re thrilled to announce that one of our current projects is a brand new game, set in an original sci-fi universe.

“We’ve loved working with established IPs like Wolfenstein, Gears of War, and Halo over our 20-year history, but we’re eager to create another world of our own like Brink, Outcasters, and Dirty Bomb.”

The post concludes by revealing that the team is hiring several positions to kickstart development of the new project.

This follows the acquisition of Splash Damage’s parent company Leyou by Chinese gaming giant Tencent. As part of an acquisition that included Warframe studio Digital Extremes, the deal also saw the conglomerate take a 20% ownership stake in Texas-based developer Certain Affinity, which has contributed to multiple games in the Call of Duty and Halo franchises.

Following the announcement of the acquisition, co-founder and CEO Richard Jolly said: “We’ve always been dedicated to creating team-based games that spark friendships and build passionate communities, and we strive to work with partners who believe in that mission.

“In our many discussions with Tencent, it became clear that they not only believe in that mission but will do everything they can to enable and empower us to realise it.

“This is going to be a bold new phase for our studio, with an amazing line-up of ambitious games that deliver on what Splash Damage is all about. We couldn’t be more excited.”

Tencent is one of the biggest companies in the world by market value. As well as owning League of Legends maker Riot Games, it has a 40% stake in Epic Games and holds shares in Activision Blizzard, Ubisoft, PUBG parent company Krafton, Sumo Group, PlatinumGames, and Marvelous Inc.