This week is full of rumors.
The news includes:
Let us know what you think.
This week’s edition is a little different, in that there’s no set format, just a roundtable discussion of the past week’s events. TJ raves about Owl Boy, Jonah talks about N7 Day and the new Mass Effect: Andromeda revelations, and everyone on the podcast discusses how games have really been a disappointment this year and not much is coming. Oh, and a $99 3DS coming for Black Friday.
Let us know what you think.
We just found out that my recording of Podcast #283 didn’t take on my end. However, there is a backup, so all that means is that you’ll have to wait til tomorrow for the next podcast. Sorry for the delay.
Ensemble Studios, owned and operated by Microsoft or, Microsoft Games Studios, has been targed to be dissolved. All employees will find new homes, a large quantity will start a new studio and continue maintaining the later released Halo Wars franchise.
Microsoft has chosen to close the studio as part of their growth plan of Microsoft Games Studios much like FASA was closed in the past. The difference, there is a new landing point for Halo Wars unlike the uncertain future of Shadowrun.
Commenting on the reason for the closure, Microsoft said, “This was a fiscally rooted decision that keeps MGS on its growth path. While the decision to dissolve Ensemble was not an easy one, Microsoft is working to place as many Ensemble employees who do not move to the newly formed studio into open positions within Microsoft as possible.” (gamespot)
Ensemble Studio’s folks will continue to work with Microsoft and will continue to support Halo Wars after its launch. It is important to stress their statement of continuing to support Halo Wars, there is no need to think the project will be done half-assed or without pride as the project will live on with a different studio name.
The only question is… what is causing Microsoft to close down studios with actively working real franchise projects? FASA went down, Bungie was let go on their own and now Ensemble Studios? There has to be something going on here… idea?
Loved the talk about sharing achievements across consoles and PCs!
Great show. Always fun to hang out with the guys. I’m psyched to finally check out Spider-Man.
Hi guys.
You know it: thanks for the episode 🙂
I did not played so much the last weeks, little bit God of War and some Magic Arena… that’s all.
Can’t write so much this time, cause I don’t know all the games you talked about.
I don’t care a lot about achievements except in WOW.
Alle hear launcher you talked about: it really is annoying! I have this one installed, which combines all of them … GOG … at least it’s better than having 5 or 6 of them 🙂 It’s not perfect, but it is the right way!
I am still waiting for some Metroidvania games to come out. Maybe there will be more if I will watch, what they showed at the indie booth at GamesCom … but until now I have not seen anything from the GamesCom.
That’s alle for this time!
Please stay as you are and stay healthy!
Greetings from Germany!
Ralf