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The Coalition (company)

The Coalition (formerly Zipline Studios, Microsoft Game Studios Vancouver and Black Tusk Studios) is a Canadian video game developer based in Vancouver. A subsidiary of Xbox Game Studios, a division of Microsoft Gaming, the company was founded in 2010 as Zipline Studios. Following the release of its debut game, Relic Rescue (2011), Zipline was renamed Microsoft Game Studios Vancouver. In February 2012, the studio released the flight simulator Microsoft Flight. Later that year, in November, Microsoft Game Studios Vancouver was rebranded as Black Tusk Studios. After Microsoft acquired the rights to the franchise Gears of War in 2014, the studio was commissioned to develop new games in the series. Black Tusk was renamed The Coalition in June 2015, and in August released Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, a remaster of the original Gears of War (2006). In the ensuing years, the studio developed Gears of War 4 (2016) and Gears 5 (2019). It also collaborated with Mediatonic and Splash Damage to develop the real-time strategy Gears Pop! (2019) and the turn-based tactics Gears Tactics (2020), respectively.

The Coalition
Formerly
  • Zipline Studios
  • (2010–2011)
  • Microsoft Game Studios Vancouver
  • (2011–2012)
  • Black Tusk Studios
  • (2012–2015)
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
FoundedFebruary 2010; 14 years ago (2010-02)
Headquarters
Vancouver
,
Canada
Key people
ProductsGears of War
Number of employees
200[1] (2015)
ParentXbox Game Studios
Websitethecoalitionstudio.com

History

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Microsoft established the company as Zipline Studios in February 2010.[2][3] The following year, Zipline released the Facebook game Relic Rescue[3] and was renamed Microsoft Game Studios Vancouver.[2] In February 2012, the studio released the flight simulator Microsoft Flight to mixed reviews.[4][5] Citing a need to realign the company's long-term goals and development plans, Microsoft cancelled the game's development in July. This decision coincided with the cancellation of Project Columbia, an unannounced Kinect shooter game, and the layoff of all 35 employees.[6] In November, Microsoft Game Studios Vancouver was rebranded as Black Tusk Studios and tasked with developing a major franchise for Microsoft Studios, comparable to their Halo franchise.[7]

In 2014, Microsoft acquired the rights to the franchise Gears of War from Epic Games and commissioned Black Tusk Studios to develop future games in the series. Rod Fergusson, who had been the producer of the franchise at Epic, became the head of the studio.[8] Black Tusk was renamed The Coalition—a reference to an entity within the Gears of War franchise, the Coalition of Ordered Governments—in June 2015.[9] Two months later, the studio released Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, a remaster of the original Gears of War (2006),[10] which was generally well-received by critics.[11] Shortly before the release of Ultimate Edition, The Coalition announced Gears of War 4.[12] Released in 2016,[13] the game received favorable reviews[14] and was nominated for best action game of the year at both the D.I.C.E. Awards[15] and The Game Awards.[16] The Coalition then collaborated with Mediatonic to develop the real-time strategy Gears Pop!,[17] released in August 2019 to mixed reviews.[18][19] The following month, the studio released Gears 5.[20] The game was met with positive reviews[21] and received several award nominations,[a] including Xbox Game of the Year at the Golden Joystick Awards, which it won.[26]

In March 2020, Fergusson left his position to join Blizzard Entertainment,[3] and director of operations Mike Crump assumed the role.[27] The studio collaborated with Splash Damage to develop the turn-based tactics Gears Tactics, which was released in April and met with positive critical reception.[28][29] Later that year, in December, The Coalition released Gears 5: Hivebusters, a downloadable expansion pack which also received positive reviews.[30][31] In May 2021, the studio announced its transition to the Unreal Engine 5 game engine for future projects.[32] The Coalition supported 343 Industries in the development of Halo Infinite and contributed to the Xbox Series X/S optimization of the technology demonstration The Matrix Awakens, both released in December.[33][34] In 2023, Microsoft conducted widespread layoffs that resulted in a reduction of staff at the studio.[35] The following year, Xbox announced Gears of War: E-Day, a prequel to the original game developed by The Coalition.[36]

Games developed

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As Zipline Studios

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Year Title Platform(s) Publisher(s) Ref.
2011 Relic Rescue Facebook Facebook, Inc. [3]

As Microsoft Game Studios Vancouver

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Year Title Platform(s) Publisher(s) Ref.
2012 Microsoft Flight Windows Microsoft Studios [4]

As The Coalition

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Year Title Platform(s) Publisher(s) Notes Ref.
2015 Gears of War: Ultimate Edition Windows, Xbox One Microsoft Studios Remaster of Gears of War (2006), developed by Epic Games [10]
2016 Gears of War 4 — [13]
2019 Gears Pop! Android, iOS, Windows Xbox Game Studios Developed in collaboration with Mediatonic [18]
Gears 5 Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S Also developed the expansion pack Hivebusters (2020) [20]
2020 Gears Tactics Developed in collaboration with Splash Damage [28]
2021 Halo Infinite Supportive development for 343 Industries [33]
The Matrix Awakens PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S Epic Games Supportive development for Epic Games [34]
TBA Gears of War: E-Day TBA Xbox Game Studios — [36]

Cancelled

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  • Project Columbia[6]

Notes

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  1. ^ Attributed to multiple references:[22][23][24][25]

References

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  1. ^ Gies, Arthur (July 28, 2015). "Beauty deconstructed: The state of Gears of War". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on April 13, 2019. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Microsoft Vancouver staffing for AAA Kinect shooter". GameSpot. Fandom, Inc. May 2, 2011. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d Delaney, Mark (February 9, 2020). "Rod Fergusson Is Leaving The Coalition to Join Blizzard". OpenCritic. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Webster, Andrew (February 6, 2012). "'Microsoft Flight' taking off on February 29". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on February 7, 2012. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  5. ^ "Microsoft Flight (PC Critic Reviews)". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Schreier, Jason (July 25, 2012). "Microsoft Reportedly Shuts Down Vancouver-Based Studio". Kotaku. G/O Media. Archived from the original on November 16, 2018. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  7. ^ Hafer, T.J. (November 30, 2012). "Microsoft's new Black Tusk Studios, headed by ex-EA devs, looking to make the next Halo". PC Gamer. Future plc. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  8. ^ Webster, Andrew (January 27, 2014). "Microsoft acquires the 'Gears of War' franchise from Epic Games". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  9. ^ Nunneley, Stephany (June 3, 2015). "Gears of War studio Black Tusk Studios has been renamed The Coalition". VG247. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  10. ^ a b Makuch, Eddie (July 22, 2015). "Gears of War Ultimate PC Launching After Xbox One". GameSpot. Fandom, Inc. Archived from the original on July 25, 2015. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  11. ^ "Gears of War: Ultimate Edition (Xbox One Critic Reviews)". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  12. ^ Dyer, Mitch (June 15, 2015). "E3 2015: Gears of War 4: First Gameplay Details". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  13. ^ a b Sirani, Jordan (September 20, 2016). "Gears of War 4 Has Gone Gold". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on September 21, 2016. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  14. ^ "Gears of War 4 (Xbox One Critic Reviews)". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  15. ^ O'Brien, Lucy (February 24, 2017). "DICE 2017: Overwatch Wins Game of the Year at DICE Awards 2017". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on February 25, 2017. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  16. ^ Stark, Chelsea (December 1, 2016). "The Game Awards: Here's the full winners list". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on December 2, 2016. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  17. ^ Batchelor, James (January 21, 2019). "How Mediatonic is bringing Gears of War to mobile". GamesIndustry.biz. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  18. ^ a b Kerr, Chris (October 30, 2024). "Gears Pop! to shut down as long-term support becomes unfeasible". Game Developer. Informa. Archived from the original on August 27, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  19. ^ "Gears Pop! (iOS Critic Reviews)". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  20. ^ a b Kane, Alex (June 9, 2019). "E3 2019 Trailer: 'Gears 5' Set for September Launch". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on June 9, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  21. ^ "Gears 5 (Xbox One Critic Reviews)". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  22. ^ Giardina, Carolyn (December 2, 2019). "Annie Awards: 'Frozen 2,' 'Missing Link' Lead Year of Surprises and Snubs". The Hollywood Reporter. Eldridge Industries. Archived from the original on December 2, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  23. ^ Chalk, Andy (January 13, 2020). "Control and Death Stranding get 8 nominations each for the 2020 DICE Awards". PC Gamer. Future plc. Archived from the original on January 24, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  24. ^ Winslow, Jeremy (December 13, 2019). "The Game Awards 2019: All Nominees [Update]". GameSpot. Fandom, Inc. Archived from the original on December 17, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  25. ^ Hipes, Patrick (January 8, 2020). "VES Awards Nominations: 'Lion King', 'Alita: Battle Angel', 'Mandalorian' & 'Thrones' Top List". Deadline. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on January 8, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  26. ^ "Here's every winner from this year's Golden Joystick Awards, including the Ultimate Game of the Year". GamesRadar+. Future plc. November 15, 2019. Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  27. ^ Carey, Sean (June 22, 2020). "Gears developer The Coalition has a new studio head". TrueAchievements. TrueGaming Network. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  28. ^ a b Reeves, Ben (March 27, 2020). "Gears Tactics". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  29. ^ "Gears Tactics (PC Critic Reviews)". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  30. ^ Tolbert, Samuel (December 14, 2020). "Gears 5 Hivebusters on Xbox and PC: Everything you need to know about this story DLC". Windows Central. Future plc. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  31. ^ "Gears 5: Hivebusters (Xbox One Critic Reviews)". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  32. ^ Good, Owen S. (May 10, 2021). "Gears of War maker shifts to Unreal Engine 5, winds down Gears 5 development". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  33. ^ a b Ruppert, Liana (February 24, 2021). "Halo Infinite Received Help From Gears Studio, The Coalition". Game Informer. GameStop. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
  34. ^ a b Tuttle, Will (December 10, 2021). "How The Coalition Worked with Epic to Bring The Matrix Awakens to Life on Xbox Series X|S". Xbox Wire. Microsoft Gaming. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  35. ^ Winslow, Levi (January 18, 2023). "Microsoft Slashes 10K Jobs, Including At Xbox And Halo Studios". Kotaku. G/O Media. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  36. ^ a b Webster, Andrew (June 9, 2024). "Xbox announces Gears of War: E-Day". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on June 9, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
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