History Creator / GearboxSoftware

[[http://www.gearboxsoftware.com/community/articles/1029/homeworld-acquisition-and-plans/ In late April 2013, they acquired the]] ''VideoGame/{{Homeworld}}'' franchise from shuttered video game publisher Creator/{{THQ}}. In a twist of irony, in 2021 Gearbox themselves were acquired by Embracer Group, who owned the rest of THQ's [=IPs=]. In November 2022, Gearbox acquired the rights to the ''VideoGame/RiskOfRain'' franchise from Hopoo Games.

* ''VideoGame/HaloCombatEvolved'' (developed the PC port)

[[http://www.gearboxsoftware.com/community/articles/1029/homeworld-acquisition-and-plans/ In late April 2013, they acquired the]] ''VideoGame/{{Homeworld}}'' franchise from shuttered video game publisher Creator/{{THQ}}. In a twist of irony, in 2021 Gearbox themselves were acquired by Embracer Group, who owned the rest of THQ's [=IPs=].

Gearbox Software is a Frisco, Texas-based video game developer, founded in 1999 by former [[Creator/ThreeDRealms 3D Realms]] employees Randy Pitchford, Brian Martel, Stephen Bahl, Landon Montgomery and Rob Heironimus.

They got their start making {{Expansion Pack}}s and [[UsefulNotes/SoftwarePorting Ports]] for the ''VideoGame/HalfLife1'' series, which were generally regarded somewhere between SoOkayItsAverage and pretty good. They came into their own when they released ''VideoGame/BrothersInArms'' for the PC and Xbox, an original IP that managed to sell very well despite its lack of pedigree and very [[FacklerScaleOfFPSRealism realistic approach to the FPS genre]].

Also, after 3D Realms went bankrupt, they purchased the VideoGame/DukeNukem franchise, and released ''VideoGame/DukeNukemForever'' to [[SoOkayItsAverage lukewarm critical response]] and [[SavedFromDevelopmentHell the sound of flying pigs]].

[[http://www.gearboxsoftware.com/community/articles/1029/homeworld-acquisition-and-plans/ In late April 2013, they acquired the]] ''VideoGame/{{Homeworld}}'' franchise from shuttered video game publisher Creator/{{THQ}}. In a twist of irony, in 2021 Gearbox themselves were acquired by Creator/EmbracerGroup; who owned the rest THQ's [=IPs=] and Aspyr Media; a porting company that Gearbox turned to for the Mac and Linux ports of Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel.

Compared to Creator/ZombieStudios, a similar American game developer that, like Gearbox Software, is an independent company that developed games for a multitude of major companies and used the Unreal Engine extensively.

[[http://www.gearboxsoftware.com/community/articles/1029/homeworld-acquisition-and-plans/ In late April 2013, they acquired the]] ''VideoGame/{{Homeworld}}'' franchise from shuttered video game publisher Creator/{{THQ}}. In a twist of irony, in 2021 Gearbox themselves were acquired by Creator/EmbracerGroup; who owned the rest THQ's [=IPs=], and Aspyr Media; a porting company that Gearbox turned to for the Mac and Linux ports of Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel.

[[http://www.gearboxsoftware.com/community/articles/1029/homeworld-acquisition-and-plans/ In late April 2013, they acquired the]] ''VideoGame/{{Homeworld}}'' franchise from shuttered video game publisher Creator/{{THQ}}. In a twist of irony, in 2021 Gearbox themselves were acquired by Creator/EmbracerGroup, who owned the rest THQ's [=IPs=], and Aspyr Media, a porting company that Gearbox turned to for the Mac and Linux ports of Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel.

[[http://www.gearboxsoftware.com/community/articles/1029/homeworld-acquisition-and-plans/ In late April 2013, they acquired the]] ''VideoGame/{{Homeworld}}'' franchise from shuttered video game publisher Creator/{{THQ}}. In a twist of irony, in 2021 Gearbox themselves were acquired by Creator/EmbracerGroup, who owned the rest THQ's [=IPs=], and Aspyr Media, a porting company that Gearbox turned to for the Mac and Linux ports of Borderlands 2 and The Pre Sequel.

[[http://www.gearboxsoftware.com/community/articles/1029/homeworld-acquisition-and-plans/ In late April 2013, they acquired the]] ''VideoGame/{{Homeworld}}'' franchise from shuttered video game publisher Creator/{{THQ}}. In a twist of irony, in 2021 they acquired by Creator/EmbracerGroup, who owned the rest THQ's [=IPs=].

[[http://www.gearboxsoftware.com/community/articles/1029/homeworld-acquisition-and-plans/ In late April 2013, they acquired the]] ''VideoGame/{{Homeworld}}'' franchise from shuttered video game publisher Creator/{{THQ}}. In a twist of irony, they were later acquired by Creator/EmbracerGroup, who owned the rest THQ's [=IPs=]

[[http://www.gearboxsoftware.com/community/articles/1029/homeworld-acquisition-and-plans/ In late April 2013, they acquired the]] ''VideoGame/{{Homeworld}}'' franchise from shuttered video game publisher Creator/{{THQ}}.

* ''VideoGame/AliensColonialMarines''

** Furious4 (since split off into its own IP)

!!Games developed by Gearbox Software:

!!Games published by Gearbox Software:

* GameEngine: They use Unreal Engine extensively.

** ''Decay''

Gearbox Software is a Texas-based video game developer.

** ''Blue Shift''

** ''Opposing Force''

** The as-yet unreleased ''Borderlands 3''

Also, after 3D Realms went bankrupt, they purchased the VideoGame/DukeNukem franchise, and released ''VideoGame/DukeNukemForever'' to [[SoOkayItsAverage lukewarm critical acclaim]] and [[SavedFromDevelopmentHell the sound of flying pigs]].

Compare to Creator/ZombieStudios, a similar American game developer that, like Gearbox Software, is an independent company that developed games for a multitude of major companies and used the Unreal Engine extensively.

* OneOfUs: Yes, they ''are'' game developers, but the sheer number of Shout Outs present in their games qualifies them for this status again.

* SleeperHit: Actually backed up by sales figures - Pitchford noted in more than one interview that ''Borderlands'' actually sold better as time went on (compared to usual burst of sales at release and slow trickle afterwards), thanks to good word of mouth.
* {{Vaporware}}: [[DefiedTrope Defied]] by their rescuing of ''Duke Nukem Forever''.

'''Gearbox Software''' is a Texas-based video game developer.

They got their start making {{Expansion Pack}}s and [[UsefulNotes/SoftwarePorting Ports]] for the ''VideoGame/{{Half-Life|1}}'' series, which were generally regarded somewhere between SoOkayItsAverage and pretty good. They came into their own when they released ''VideoGame/BrothersInArms'' for the PC and Xbox, an original IP that managed to sell very well despite its lack of pedigree and very [[FacklerScaleOfFPSRealism realistic approach to the FPS genre]].