In 1995 Ensemble Studios formed as an independent studio and kicked out a little game franchise known as Age of Empires. The title has received many accolades from the first in the franchise extended out to all the Age of Empires releases and spin-offs, all-in-all selling millions of copies.
Ensemble Studios had a mission “to create great games and a great place to work,” says Bruce Shelley from Ensemble Studios. Bruce Shelley also helped design Sid Meier’s Civilization and Railroad Tycoon with MicroProse prior to his work at Ensemble Studios. Now, however, he’s a bit upset at the closing of Ensemble Studios because they were profitable, created top-quality titles and had a great working environment.
Ensemble Studios, from his perspective at least, was a place you’d go to work and be happy with what you’re doing. When you’re working along nicely and become blind-sided by the news, it’s not surprising he didn’t take it lightly.
“Everyone at our studio was shocked, and I think remains very disappointed that this is going to happen. I believe we thought we were immune to shut-down talk because our published games have done so well and have been so profitable. Plus we felt we had built a really stable (low-turnover), talented, hard-working, and creative team, which is not easy to do. We thought we were among the best studios in the world, and that may be true, but we don’t fit in the future plans of MGS as an internal studio so we’re out.” (ensemblestudios.com)
What’s the future plans for Ensemble Studios? As we’ve stated before, they plan to live on in spirit, within the bounds of a new name and a new game plan. “I believe the spirit and mission of ES will be carried forward in this new company if enough of the key leaders agree to take part, which I expect to happen. There has been no announcement about what the new studio will be working on when it gets going,” says Shelley.
This is a horrible way to have to launch a hot new intellectual property. Usually creating a new title with a building fanbase would lead to excitement, parties and high hopes for the future of the franchise. Instead, people will be dusting off their resume in hopes to continue a life of game development.
Hopefully the leaders will indeed form a brand new company and build brand new hot products with their entire staff intact. Then, take their titles to a different publisher (besides Microsoft) and make some money and fans.
Excellent episode guys!
@UK threatens to report parents for kids playing 18 rated games: I think Paul got side tracked with other points because this story had nothing to do with Religious zealots, home schooling or bringing games to school.
I don’t know why kids wouldn’t be allowed to talk about the games in school, I certainly did when I was in elementary. I agree with Jonah on this if you know what your kids are playing and watching and not just using them as babysitters it’s fine. I know every game my daughter plays and tv show she watches, yes I let her play Skyrim which apparently has a 15 and an 18 rating from UK. I know that game and what is in it, I feel she can handle it
@Zelda and Nintendo: I would love if Nintendo would package a game with their system again. It’s been too long since they’ve done that.
@Swatting is a terrible thing that needs to stop, so yes try the kid as an adult, they need to learn that there are consequences for this type of behavior.
@QotW: I am so glad you guys enjoyed the question, and also glad that you mentioned Abandonware. I think that is going to be part of the solution there, if companies that no longer wish to hold on to the legal rights for games that aren’t earning them money than it can be given over to those that will upkeep a emulator for it, there are XP emulators for example which I think is another part to keeping some games around for the next generation to play.