Gearbox Software

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American video game developer best known for the Borderlands and Brothers in Arms franchises.

Last updated October 28, 2026

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First read: Oct 30, 2026
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Overview

Gearbox Software is an American video game development company headquartered in Frisco, Texas. It was established in February 1999 by five developers who had previously worked at Rebel Boat Rocker: Randy Pitchford, Brian Martel, Stephen Bahl, Landon Montgomery, and Rob Heironimus. Pitchford became the company’s president and chief executive officer. The studio initially built its reputation through work connected with Valve’s Half-Life franchise, producing expansion packs, console ports, and related development support. Those assignments gave Gearbox experience in adapting PC games for consoles and in managing large-scale first-person-shooter production. During its first years, Gearbox worked on or contributed to projects including Half-Life: Opposing Force, Half-Life: Blue Shift, console versions of Half-Life, Counter-Strike: Condition Zero, and other licensed or porting projects. It also handled work connected with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3, Halo: Combat Evolved, and James Bond 007: Nightfire. This period broadened the company’s relationships with publishers such as Valve, Activision, Microsoft Game Studios, and Electronic Arts. Gearbox moved toward internally owned intellectual property with Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30 in 2005. The World War II tactical shooter became the foundation of the Brothers in Arms franchise, followed by Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood and Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway. The property expanded beyond games into comics, books, action figures, and documentary programming. Although Gearbox continued to work on licensed projects, its strategic identity increasingly centered on original franchises. The company’s largest commercial and cultural breakthrough came with Borderlands, released in 2009 by 2K. Combining first-person shooting with action role-playing systems, randomized equipment, a comic-inspired visual style, and irreverent humor, the game established a distinctive formula. Borderlands 2, Borderlands 3, and related projects expanded the series into one of Gearbox’s principal business assets. The studio also developed Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands and participated in other Borderlands projects through partnerships and licensed productions. Gearbox broadened its corporate activities by creating Gearbox Publishing in 2015 and forming The Gearbox Entertainment Company as a parent organization in 2019. In 2021, Embracer Group acquired Gearbox Entertainment, with the transaction structured around an initial consideration and additional performance-based consideration. During the Embracer period, Gearbox added or reorganized development and publishing operations, opened Canadian studios, established Gearbox Studios for film and television activities, acquired Lost Boys Interactive and Captured Dimensions, and became associated with additional properties including Risk of Rain and Volition. Embracer’s restructuring led to another ownership change. In March 2024, Take-Two Interactive announced an agreement to acquire Gearbox Entertainment and specified intellectual property for integration with its 2K label. The transaction closed on June 12, 2024. Following the deal, Gearbox Software continued as a development organization within the Take-Two and 2K structure, while some assets and businesses connected with Gearbox’s former publishing and support operations remained with Embracer. The company’s present identity is therefore that of a major game-development studio operating within a larger publisher, with Borderlands remaining its defining franchise and with capabilities spanning original game development, co-development, and entertainment adaptation.

History

Gearbox Software was founded on February 16, 1999, by five developers formerly associated with Rebel Boat Rocker. Randy Pitchford and Brian Martel had previously worked together at 3D Realms, while Landon Montgomery had worked at Bethesda Softworks. The new studio began as a small development company and initially concentrated on expansion content and platform adaptations for established publishers. Its early work was closely connected to Valve’s Half-Life. Gearbox developed Half-Life: Opposing Force and Half-Life: Blue Shift, contributed to Counter-Strike: Condition Zero, and worked on PlayStation 2 and Dreamcast versions of Half-Life. These projects were important because they required the studio to preserve the design of a successful PC shooter while adapting controls, technology, and content for consoles. Gearbox subsequently undertook additional porting and development assignments, including work connected with Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3, Halo: Combat Evolved, and James Bond 007: Nightfire. In 2005, Gearbox released Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30, its first major internally created original property. The game used a World War II setting and combined first-person combat with squad-command mechanics. Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood followed later that year, and Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway arrived in 2008. The franchise became a major part of Gearbox’s identity and generated ancillary books, comics, documentary material, and merchandise. Gearbox began developing Borderlands around the middle of the 2000s and announced the project in 2007. The concept combined first-person shooting with action role-playing and randomized loot systems. Released in 2009 by 2K, Borderlands used a stylized, comic-like presentation and emphasized cooperative play, large quantities of procedurally varied weapons, and a humorous science-fiction setting. Its success enabled Gearbox to enlarge its teams and budgets. Borderlands 2 followed in 2012, while Borderlands 3 was released in 2019. The broader property also supported a prequel, narrative spin-offs, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, and a live-action film released in 2024. The company continued to manage older intellectual property. It acquired or controlled rights associated with the Duke Nukem and Homeworld properties, and announced high-definition releases of Homeworld and Homeworld 2 for contemporary PC platforms. Gearbox also continued to participate in licensed and co-developed games, although Borderlands remained its central commercial franchise. A major structural change occurred when Gearbox Publishing was established in 2015. The publishing arm was intended to release third-party games and to diversify the company’s business beyond internally developed titles. In 2019, The Gearbox Entertainment Company was created as a parent organization for Gearbox Software and Gearbox Publishing. Embracer Group acquired Gearbox Entertainment in 2021. During this ownership period, Gearbox opened or expanded Canadian development operations, established Gearbox Studios for screen entertainment, acquired Lost Boys Interactive and Captured Dimensions, and became involved with additional studios and intellectual properties. Embracer’s wider restructuring produced a further change in control. In March 2024, Take-Two Interactive announced the purchase of Gearbox Entertainment and selected assets, with the business moving under Take-Two’s 2K label. The transaction closed on June 12, 2024. Several businesses and properties formerly associated with Gearbox remained with Embracer, while Gearbox Software and the core Gearbox development organization became part of Take-Two’s studio network. The company therefore entered its current phase as a 2K-affiliated developer with a legacy in licensed PC-to-console work and a portfolio anchored by Borderlands.

2024
Take-Two acquisition completed
[1]Gearbox Softwareen.wikipedia.org
Take-Two Interactive completed its acquisition of Gearbox Software and related assets on June 12.
2022
Risk of Rain intellectual property acquired
[1]Gearbox Softwareen.wikipedia.org
Gearbox acquired the Risk of Rain intellectual property from Hopoo Games.
2021
Embracer acquisition completed
[1]Gearbox Softwareen.wikipedia.org
Embracer Group acquired Gearbox Entertainment and placed it among its major operating groups.
2021
Gearbox Studios launched
[1]Gearbox Softwareen.wikipedia.org
A division focused on film and television production was established.
2019
Gearbox Entertainment formed
[1]Gearbox Softwareen.wikipedia.org
The Gearbox Entertainment Company became the parent organization for Gearbox Software and Gearbox Publishing.
2015
Gearbox Publishing established
[1]Gearbox Softwareen.wikipedia.org
Gearbox created a publishing operation to release third-party games and diversify its business.
2015
Quebec development studio opened
[1]Gearbox Softwareen.wikipedia.org
Gearbox opened a second development location in Quebec City, Canada.
2012
Borderlands 2 released
[1]Gearbox Softwareen.wikipedia.org
The sequel expanded the franchise’s world, characters, cooperative systems, and loot-driven gameplay.
2009
Borderlands released
[1]Gearbox Softwareen.wikipedia.org
The first Borderlands combined first-person shooting, role-playing progression, cooperative play, and randomized equipment.
2008
Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway released
[1]Gearbox Softwareen.wikipedia.org
The third principal Brothers in Arms game extended Gearbox’s World War II shooter series to a new generation of platforms.
2005
Brothers in Arms launches
[1]Gearbox Softwareen.wikipedia.org
Gearbox released Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30, its first major original franchise.
2000
Early team expansion
[1]Gearbox Softwareen.wikipedia.org
The young studio had grown to approximately 15 employees while developing and porting games.
1999
Gearbox Software founded
[1]Gearbox Softwareen.wikipedia.org
Five developers formerly associated with Rebel Boat Rocker established Gearbox Software in Texas.

Products and positioning

AAA game development centered on first-person shooters, action role-playing systems, distinctive humor, cooperative play, and franchise-driven entertainment.

Licensed game development · 1999
Half-Life expansions and ports
Gearbox’s early portfolio included Half-Life: Opposing Force and Half-Life: Blue Shift, along with console adaptations of Half-Life for the Dreamcast and PlayStation 2. The company also contributed to Counter-Strike: Condition Zero and related work. These projects established Gearbox as a specialist in expansion development, first-person shooters, and PC-to-console adaptation.
Video game franchise · 2005
Brothers in Arms
Brothers in Arms is a World War II tactical first-person shooter franchise created by Gearbox. Its games emphasize squad commands, historical settings, and structured combat rather than purely individual run-and-gun play. The principal releases include Road to Hill 30, Earned in Blood, and Hell’s Highway, with the property also extending into comics, books, documentaries, and merchandise.
Video game franchise · 2009
Borderlands
Borderlands is Gearbox’s signature franchise. It combines first-person shooting with action role-playing progression, cooperative multiplayer, character abilities, mission-based exploration, and procedurally varied weapons and equipment. Its stylized visual direction and comic science-fiction tone distinguish it from more realistic military shooters. The main series includes Borderlands, Borderlands 2, and Borderlands 3, alongside related spin-offs and narrative projects.
Video game · 2022
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is a fantasy-oriented spin-off built from Borderlands’ cooperative shooting and loot systems. It shifts the setting and tone toward a tabletop role-playing parody while retaining character progression, randomized equipment, and multiplayer combat.
Remastered video games · 2015
Homeworld remasters
Gearbox announced and supported high-definition re-releases of Homeworld and Homeworld 2 for modern PC platforms. The project helped preserve and reintroduce the space-strategy properties through updated presentation and contemporary digital distribution.
Game publishing · 2015
Gearbox Publishing
Gearbox Publishing was established to publish games made by external developers and to expand Gearbox’s role beyond internal development. It handled projects including a remastered edition of Bulletstorm and other third-party releases before the 2024 corporate transition, after which publishing responsibilities were reorganized under 2K.

Controversies

2020
Duke Nukem music-use lawsuit settled
A lawsuit by composer Bobby Prince alleging that his music was used without permission in Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour was settled between Prince, Gearbox, 3D Realms and Apogee Software. 3D Realms said a license was inadvertently overlooked when it sold Gearbox the Duke Nukem catalog; the settlement terms were not disclosed.
Source
2020
Gearbox and other parties settle Duke Nukem music dispute
Gearbox Software, Bobby Prince, Apogee Software, 3D Realms and other parties reached a settlement concerning music in the Duke Nukem series. The settlement terms were not disclosed; court filings indicated that the third-party plaintiffs and defendants would pay their own legal fees.
Source
2019
Bobby Prince sues Gearbox and Valve over royalties
In a 2019 legal dispute, composer Bobby Prince sued Gearbox Software and Valve over allegedly unpaid royalties related to Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour. The reported claim concerns royalty payments connected to the game. The available report does not establish that a court has reached a determination in the matter. The dispute is recorded as a controversy involving Gearbox Software and Valve, with Bobby Prince as the plaintiff. No further details on the proceedings or their outcome are provided in the source summary.
Source 1 Source 2
2014
Aliens: Colonial Marines class action lawsuit
Gearbox and its chief executive became involved in litigation concerning Aliens: Colonial Marines. Randy Pitchford disputed allegations and argued that responsibility for the game’s marketing and advertising claims rested with the publisher, while also stating that Gearbox had incurred substantial costs on the project.
Source

2024
Acquisition by Take-Two InteractiveM&A
Background
Embracer’s restructuring and divestment program led it to seek a buyer for Gearbox and selected associated intellectual property.
Action taken
Take-Two agreed to acquire Gearbox Entertainment for integration with its 2K label, with the transaction closing on June 12, 2024.
Aftermath
Gearbox Software became part of Take-Two’s studio organization. Several former Gearbox-associated businesses and properties remained with Embracer.
Announced acquisition value. $460 million (Announced March 2024)
Source
2021
Acquisition by Embracer GroupM&A
Background
Gearbox had been seeking capital and met Embracer’s decentralized operating model as a possible fit for its development and publishing activities.
Action taken
Embracer acquired Gearbox Entertainment, including Gearbox Software and Gearbox Publishing, in a transaction with an initial consideration and additional performance-based consideration.
Aftermath
Gearbox became an Embracer operating group, expanded its studio network, and undertook further acquisitions and reorganizations.
Acquisition consideration. $363 million initial consideration, potentially increasing to $1.378 billion subject to operational targets (2021 transaction)
Source
2015
Expansion into third-party publishingStrategy
Background
Gearbox sought additional sources of growth beyond developing its own traditionally associated game franchises.
Action taken
The company established Gearbox Publishing to release games from external developers, beginning with projects such as the remastered edition of Bulletstorm.
Aftermath
Publishing became a formal part of the Gearbox corporate structure and later participated in the company’s Embracer and Take-Two ownership transitions.
Source

Recent events

2024
Gearbox announces acquisition by Take-Two Interactive[1]Gearbox Softwareen.wikipedia.org
M&A
Take-Two announced an agreement to acquire Gearbox Entertainment and selected intellectual property for operation under the 2K label.
2024
Take-Two closes Gearbox transaction[1]Gearbox Softwareen.wikipedia.org
M&A
The acquisition of Gearbox Software and related assets by Take-Two Interactive was completed on June 12, 2024.
2023
Staff reductions at Lost Boys Interactive[1]Gearbox Softwareen.wikipedia.org
Other
A substantial number of employees at Lost Boys Interactive, a company acquired by Gearbox Entertainment, were laid off, including workers identified in a Washington State WARN notice.
2021
Gearbox Entertainment acquired by Embracer Group[1]Gearbox Softwareen.wikipedia.org
M&A
Embracer Group completed the acquisition of Gearbox Entertainment, bringing Gearbox Software and Gearbox Publishing into its decentralized operating structure.
2021
Gearbox Studios established for film and television[1]Gearbox Softwareen.wikipedia.org
Other
Gearbox announced a dedicated division intended to oversee television and film production activities.

Sources14 sources

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