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?
Hi guys.
Thanks as always 🙂
I played a lot of Magic the Gathering because a new expansion was released. And since wrath of the Koch king classic was released for WoW I got back to it for a lot of hours 🙂
Regarding the topics: I have a simple stereo setup at my pc, because most of the time I play with headset anyway to talk to my friends in discord or listen to music. In my living room I have good 5.1 setup with a new receiver and 5 nice Teufel speakers 🙂
X-com: I played it 10 years ago but I don’t think I will replay it. Maybe … we will see.
Pac-Man 4 sound interesting… maybe I will check it out 🙂
Kirby Games: I think the only Kirby game that I have played is the one for the first game Boy back in the days. Good old times when you spend a lot of time to a single game!
The other games I barely know … i have heard of fire emblem but never played it :/
Please stay healthy and keep on gaming!
Greetings from Germany
Ralf