Epic lands major publisher, best-selling author for ‘Gears’ books

Cary, N.C. — After months of negotiations and rumors, Epic Games is taking its “Gears of War” franchise into the world of science fiction novels. And the company’s video game characters will be transformed into paper heroes by a best-selling sci-fi author best known for her Star Wars works.

Epic will work with Del Rey, a major publisher of science fiction and an imprint of Ballantine Books in the Random House Publishing Group to produce a trio of Gears novels. The first will publish in October just ahead of the Nov. 7 release date for “Gears of War 2.”

Writing the books will be Karen Traviss, a former defense correspondent and journalist in the United Kingdom. Travis has written a series of Star Wars books, including two “Republic Commando” titles. She also wrote three of the nine novels in the newest Star Wars series “Legacy of the Force.”

Financial terms of the publishing deal weren’t disclosed.

Epic’s “Gears” franchise also includes a movie, graphic novel, action figures and other toys.

Earlier this year, news about the Gears books leaked on the book-selling sites Amazon.com and Books-a-Million.com. However, the author was listed as Steven Kent, another sci-fi writer.

The first Gears book is titled “The Battle of Aspho Fields.” It will tell the story of Gears human heroes Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago in a battle with the Locust Horde.

“After finishing the first Gears of War game, players were left wanting to know more about Delta Squad and the events leading up to Emergence Day,” said Epic Games’ President Michael Capps. “This trilogy of novels opens up whole new worlds of storytelling opportunities, and will add even more context to the upcoming comic book series, game sequel and motion picture. We loved Karen Traviss’ work on the Republic Commando series, and we can’t wait to get her Gears book to our fans.”