This episode is a short one as Jonah flies to Los Angeles in the morning. There’s a followup to the Grand Theft Auto 6 leak, and Aaron Judge hits his 61st home run.
The news includes:
Let us know what you think.
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?
This weeks episode covers some cool industry news and takes a look back at SEGA’s Hang On. This weeks history lesson involves the Bartle Test, created by Richard Bartle and his MUD. This weeks news:
Launch Day Xbox 360s No longer coveredAlso, don’t forget to take our survey! I apologize now for the bit of a head cold.
Last week’s podcast was the victim of Jonah’s ISP going down, so this week is a mix of last week’s and this week’s news, as well as a Gaming History on industry legend Nolan Bushnell.
The news includes:
The Question of the Week: “What is your favorite educational videogame?”
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 🙂 I already wrote that to episode 663 which I listened directly before this episode 🙂
First of all: enjoy your holiday in LA Jonah!
Death stranding? Chapeau! I was so damn excited for this game and I was so hard disappointed … can’t remember whenever a game disappointed me that much. I think I managed to play 10 hours to give it a try, but I don’t think I will ever return to it 🙂
GTA6 Leak: I think the only GTA I played was the first one together with a friend sitting together and he played it, I watched it 🙂
KOF: isn’t there a new Street Fighter coming? I don’t know anything about KoF per Samurai showdown … only Street Fighter 🙂
Sorry that I can’t say so much this time, but I don’t know what to say regarding games I don’t know 🙂
Please stay healthy and keep on gaming!
Greetings from Germany
Ralf