Confirmed: Microsoft closes Ensemble

Confirmation has come quick and fast in regard to rumors surfacing earlier today that Microsoft would be closing its internal developer Ensemble Studios upon the completion of sci-fi real-time strategy game Halo Wars. In joint statements issued today, Microsoft and Ensemble have confirmed that the studio will be shut down once the Xbox 360-exclusive RTS set in the best-selling Halo franchise ships out early next year.

[Chris Hansen]

Man that sucks, I actually like the games by Ensemble.

Microsoft desecrates Rare.
Microsoft loses Bungie.
Microsoft destroys Ensemble.
What's next?

[nbsmatambo]

age of empires =(

[PirateThom]

Lionhead.

[HighDefinition]

I don`t know about next. But I bet GeoW3 will be a PS3 exclusive, since MSFT only has the "rights" to 2 games. Epic has expressed that....

1) the 360 is about "tapped"
2) They don`t like XBL pricings (over charging)
3) No Mods at all

These things don`t make EPIC happy, I think they go for the extra storage space (Blu-ray) since the PS3 will have surpassed the 360 in total sales easily by then.

[The Matrix]

Yeah, leave it to microsoft to something this stupid. I grew up playing Age of Mythology and the Titans expansion as well as the Age of Empires. Heck, I've been waiting for AoM 2 and AoE 4. I had so many memories of Ensembles games....thanks a lot microsoft.

[HighDefinition]

Possibly MSFT might be leave the gaming business.

Seriously their LOSING lots and lots of studios in the last year. I`m not being a "fanboy" I`m just saying you think they`d be building them if they were thinking of progressing farther w/ this.

[UltimateIdiot911]

I love Age of Empire. I remember all those epic battles with friends. Microsoft, why? why do you slowly kill off all the good side of you? I really want to support Microsoft, but they make it so hard.

[barom]

You forgot, letting Bizarre Creations get bought up by Activision and letting BioWare get bought up by EA.

Wait, whos supporting 360 atm? Lionhead and Bungie does but who else?

[GameOn]

They just swallowed Ensemble lol. What makes you think they are backing out of the race.

To me it looks like they are expanding so they can better compete against Sony's horde of first party publishers.

Any way, what do I know...

Oh yeh... yeh. I see now. Im wrong.

[HighDefinition]

You could be right, but I don`t think it looks that way.

Edit:

"Though Microsoft will close the studio, Ensemble brass plan to soldier on. As part of today's statement, Microsoft said that Ensemble's "leadership team" will form a new development house, and has already entered into an agreement with the publisher to continue supporting Halo Wars post-launch, "as well as work on other projects with Microsoft Game Studios."

Their NOT 1st party anymore, that`s what I get from that. They wouldn`t need a "AGREEMENT" if they were.

[GameOn]

Im just totally confused. Every one is saying that MS has lost a studio (as in they already own Ensemble) when, from what I have just read they are creating a new studio from the programmers of ensemble.

Am I reading the same article?

[VF34EJ25]

@HD

What I'm getting from that quote, is that MS is closing down Ensemble. Then leading members are continuing to develope their own studio and continue to suppor Halo Wars, and have other projects with MGS.

Technically it doesn't say anywhere that they are going to be PART of MGS, thus you seem to be right on your guess. They are NOT a 1st party studio.

[SRuN4]

The way I take it. Microsoft shut down Ensemble and some of them decided to venture out and open a new stuido and agreed to support Halo Wars post launch from their new studio, as well as work on other projects with MGS. But at the same time, this new studio will be independent.

[badz149]

they are going to release an exclusive game from that studio and then they are going to shut it down upon completion? WTH? @Gameon, a lot of other studios 'swallow' smaller studios but I can't recall they shut them down completely! Activision, EA and even Sony bought a lot of small studio but they never shut them down completely, right? what's the problem having a studio as 1st party if there is really no problem? even if they are thinking of forming a new internal studio, is making a new studio better than using the same studio name which already has a proven track record? I don't think so. I wonder if we'll ever see the next AoM or AoE after this move

[gameplayer]

Here's how I am looking at it: Microsoft let's the developers from Bungie, Ensemble etc create their own company, this company has very close ties to Microsoft but raises it's own funding and creates its games in a way that makes them happy and Microsoft gets what is essentially a second party developer out of it that pays it's own bills and makes it's own profits meanwhile Microsoft can take the money that it was previously giving Bungie, Ensemble etc to develop games for them and can use that money to invest in new studios, talent or IPs. Anyway, that's what seems to be happening and it seems like a fairly sound strategy to me...

[The BS Police]

Nintendo knew Rare was running out of quality titles, that is why they sold Rare to Microsoft, Star Fox Adventures for the Gamecube was a terrible game developed by Rare before Microosft bought them.

[multipayer]

Maybe Nintendo knew they were entering this casual market, and Rare doesn't develop budget technology games as far as I remember, they tap the power of every system they have developed for.. I know that 16 player conker team deathmatch, PDZ 32(most on 360 I believe) player online and original titles like Kameo and Viva Pinata, even Grabbed by the Ghoulies was fun and keep me from losing faith in Xbox. Best decision MS has ever made, stupid op.

[BLuKhaos]

MS leaving the gaming scene? Oh god please no,even though I don't own a 360 I still appreciate what MS did for its fans.Without MS,things are going to become very boring with just Sony and Nin duking it out.Also we Sony need to give Microsoft a chance.After all it's because of MS that Sony is constantly pushing to make the PS3 and its Software better.

[AAACE5]

It may not be as bad as it sounds! When you look at it they are basically getting a fresh start. They will create a new studio and possibly create new games. And those who don't make the switch will be placed internally at MS making MGS bigger and able to make more new IP's.

I know it looks stupid what MS has been doing, but to me it seems more like they are developing and consolidating relationships in order to become more effective!

Hell... you never know... Bungie, Ensamble, etc. might have had an arrangement in place that after they met certain criteria... MS would pay off their debt, and fund a new company for them! I don't know, but those companies are gone but still have a decent relationship with MS!

[marinelife9]

I think it's a smart move on Microsoft's part.

Dissolve the studio so you don't have to pay for it. Let them go independent but still get the benefit of having any third party games also on your system that they create.

Use the money you save to buy timed exclusives, exclusive DLC, or outright exclusives from the big third party studios.

Sony and MS are taking two different unique paths to attract the most consumers.

[Tidus11]

Age of mythology is one of my favorite tactical online games... sure hope they keep making quality titles when the re opon

[HighDefinition]

Wow.

This doesn`t look good for HaLOWars, personally I don`t think many Halo fans would care to much for the RTS genre, besides the one`s who like RTSs, obviously.

Off topic: IMO, Lego Halo would be the coolest.

[InMyOpinion]

I think it will do for the console RTS what Halo did for the console FPS.

[shamusl93]

Make it generic?

[Harry190]

won't help Microsoft's reputation.

[Hagaf22]

its not even about microsoft, its about the gamers, what about after this game ships, does that mean there is no follow on support? no patches no dlc nothing? does this mean the game is going to be rushed to finish since they are closing them? im not the biggest fan of halo, but i would hate to see the series take a hit for something like this...

[EastCoastSB]

If you actually read the article, you would have seen that Microsoft is keeping a team for future game support.

[GameOn]

It says in the article that they will continue support post-launch.
Did you miss that bit?

[oohWii]

HAGAF22 = TROLL

Didn't even take time to read the article before, typing up garbage.

[DarthTigra]

I can't believe this.

[Panthers]

Terrible. That means no support for Halo Wars after release. I hope they give it to someone else to make a PC version.

[Whoooop]

They said that they're working on a deal with some ES employees to work indefinetly on Halo Wars support.

True or not, that's what they stated...

[GameOn]

It says in the article the article they will continue support post-release.

[PirateThom]

I think it's safe to say, Microsoft would rather pay for DLC for multiplatform games and to get games as timed exclusives than actually develop anything.

[Panthers]

M$ goes after old, worn out franchises while Sony makes new, fresh ones.

[InMyOpinion]

"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."

If so, why are they keeping the developers from Ensemble and integrating them into their Microsoft Game Studios?

@Panthers - "M$ goes after old, worn out franchises while Sony makes new, fresh ones."

MGS 4, Gran Turismo 5, Socom 4(?), God of War 3, Tekken 6, Time Crisis 4, Yakuza 3.

You guys are bad at lying.

[Maldread]

Well, Sony dosn`t make MGS4, Tekken 6, Time Crisis 4, or Yakuza 3 themselves. They made a deal with Konami on keeping MGS4 exclusive but that`s it.

I think they`re more refereing to Sony`s own games or Sony supported games like Resistance, Motorstorm, Uncharted, Heavenly Sword, LBP, Heavy Rain, Infamous, Linger in the Shadows etc. I`m sure they`ve go some secret projetcts on the way too. Say what you want about Sony, but they do make more new IPs than Microsoft (or Nintendo for that matter).

[jerkstore]

.....MS FTL.

@ the users below

waahhhhhhhhhhhh.

@thechokeartistofMA

I edited it because your bleeding tampon was soaking through my screen. I was going to wash my car later on, but your tears did the job for me. Make sure you slap your parents for me for not having you aborted when they had the chance.

DERRRRRRRRRRRR!

[ThatCanadianGuy]

Put you're fanboyism aside for a minute will ya?
This is a great PC dev team that has made some of the BEST PC games

And there being shut down.If you're not going to contribute anything relatively productive to the article then just shush.

This f*cking sucks.I was hoping by some slim chance they would make Age of Mythology 2.

But no.There getting shut down.Bravo Microsoft,Bravo

Edit:Excuse me? I guarantee i hate that 360 fanboy more then you.
But the fact is..HE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS.Why don't you just go crawl back to you're cave you disgusting troll.

[juuken]

...

This has nothing to do with Crab?

EDIT: But that was kind of stupid. It really had nothing to do with Crab.

[thekingofMA]

...but i am right now. while i've never played one of their games since i haven't really gotten into RTS's (may pick up halo wars), this decision is quite odd

but @dumbass first poster

no one is more deserving of only one bubble than the pathetic piece of trash that you are

and dude (ma'am?), you're obsessed with GiantEnemyCrab. infatuated. if your one job in life is to behave like an eleven year old and post stupid comments on a video game website (against someone who could easily kick your ass in an argument) than you live a sad, worthless life. i think i speak for all of n4g when i say go slit your wrists.

EDIT: first time i've ever clicked agree on juuken's comment! i guess it's okay to team up against a pile of crap of a person

EDIT 2: wimpy ass edited his comment

EDIT 3: your stupidity amazes me, but your middle school humor of telling me i have a vagina and that i'm crying, even though my comment was entirely an insult to you rather than sulking, "amazes" me more

but uh oh! you only have 4 more minutes to edit your comment! you should have thought of that before you posted other crap comments and trimmed yourself down to the appropriate one bubble

also: you are a disgrace to Seinfeld fans everywhere

[TheOtherGuy]

"I edited it because your bleeding tampon was soaking through my screen. I was going to wash my car later on, but your tears did the job for me. Make sure you slap your parents for me for not having you aborted when they had the chance.

DERRRRRRRRRRRR!
"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA,I F*CKING LOVE THIS GUY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

oh and to the LOSER below who thinks hes slick;WE DONT CARE HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!

[Spread Butt Cheeks]

This website was brought to you buy Microsoft's ASP .NET and SQL Server. Every time you visit this site you are supporting Microsoft :) :)

See how all of these webpages end with ".aspx"?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

Just remember, every stupid little "RRoD" comment helps MS just a little more. As long as you keep visiting this site, the license subscriptions and windows hosting boxes will keep getting renewed. Congrats Sony fanboys! You are all morons.

Edit: @ above. I majored in software engineering moron.....my paycheck doesn't think I'm a loser :)

[ThatCanadianGuy]

Wow..the little bastard edited it all...

[Tweeperz]

Nobody asked what the f*ck your major was,damn you really are a loser :)

[cmrbe]

you could be a rocket scientist for all i care but you still are a loser and and asshole.

[InfiniteUnfloppery]

Actually,the fact that you have to use your Educational background and present Income as your Defense for making a Lame Comment on a Video Game News Site kinda makes you look like a Moron-and ultimately-it indeed makes your Failed effort seem Pathetic.

[Spread Butt Cheeks]

I like how you Randomly capitalize Letters. Its obvious You are Trying to conjure a Professional response But lack Education.

These just Show the Ps3 crowd Is a Collection of Morons.

McCain 08 and god Bless.

[Tweeperz]

lol this guy is definitely a LoOoser;Sorry bud,nobody gives a damn about spelling on a gaming forum!you just made yourself look like a complete jackass and have no argument to match his-so now ur goin afta internet spellinz LOLZ!!!

please cry some moar,it's obvious we hurt your feelings XD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

edit:ROFL @the messages you sent Infinite,"bu-but you say im pathetic plzzzz reply!.....dont reply!"dude your killing us over here XD XD XD XD XD !!!!!!!!!!

[ngg12345]

Not only dissolving them but disclaiming their reputation? This is one of my favorite developers.

[GameOn]

fvcks up my eyes. I'm seeing lines???

[name]

I'm starting to doubt they'll even make a new console. I don't see how any company can just be fine with having no internal studios at all.

[HighDefinition]

That`s what I`m starting to think.

For real, their losing more than their gaining, kinda the opposite of what you want to do if your trying to progress further. As I stated in comment 1.5

@chubear

I hear ya, it looks as if their gonna "wrap this up" to me, atleast.

[Chubear]

This is something I've been slammed about saying around Q1 of 2007 and even did a blog on it later on from there. The writing's been on the wall since the Q1 of 2007 and really showed it's self, to me atleast, by the end of 2007 that MS were making plans to bail from the hardware side of things.

Here's the blog: http://www.n4g.com/up/18776...

No way MS goes in for an xbox 3 next gen without having a partner to help carry hardware costs or take care of software commitments.

Thumb me down all you want. I'm not hating, I'm just calling it as I see it.

If they do however, then they'll have shown they didn't take note of history with the likes of Sega and will go the same route as Sega's DC within 24 months.

[VF34EJ25]

Honestly, I don't think this is a sign that MS is shutting down. They're quite far from being "dead."

Just because Sony is having great momemtum, doesn't mean the 360 isn't selling. Infact, the 360 has been selling quite well despite the Sony train.

But like you said in your post, years from now you could just be wrong or right. We'll find out.

[HighDefinition]

I`m not talking about sales, I`m talking about losing/not gaining 1st party devs. Lets put it this way NOT keeping Bungie as a 1st party is ridiculous, they have the $$$ to. I think their done after this console.

[oohWii]

Another way to look at it is, if you have great third party support, they you can make money on software sells without having to foot the bill for all the money required for 1st party game development. Kinda like what most businesses are doing these days by out sourcing things.

Perhaps this is their strategy for profit.

[TheExecutive]

i am starting to get that vibe. They have been systematically releasing 1st and 2nd party studios. This doesnt bode well for the future of MGS.

@oohWii

3rd party games dont sell consoles, this is not the way to upold a platform. The only thing MS is going to have is LIVE and I can guarantee you that by the time the PS4 hits Sony will have caught up to them.

[ARBitrator]

Tales of Vesperia(CS), Star Ocean 4(CS), Fable 2(CS), Gears 2, Mass Effect, Bio Shock. You don't thinks these 3rd party game have or will sell consoles.

I beg to differ, if you can get some 3rd party exclusives that are very good, you can sell systems. The only thing that makes 1st party exclusives better than 3rd party is your ability to bundle them amd set the price. (i.e. Sony's savior, giving away free brand new games and movies with their console.)

Although producing 1st party titles can be very profitable, it can also be costly if you product a dud. 3rd party exclusive duds cost the 3rd party. So, I can see oohwii's point.

[Funky Town_TX]

did anyone read the post? No this is N4G headlines are only read here. I wonder what happened to this studio.

[DrPirate]

I feel bad for everyone that lost their job :(

I hope they find great jobs in the industry elsewhere, they were a talented team.

[ICUP]

SONY should hire them.

[Boldy]

"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."

Is it just me or does Gamespot load VERY s-l-o-w-l-y. Anyways, yeah I loved Age of Empires.

[Bathyj]

Man, I really dont get M$.

They're going to solve their 1st party problems by firing devs?

Snap em up Sony, show these talents guys how a good publisher nutures something with promise into something even better. Why do you think devs want to be under Sonys umbrella?

[InMyOpinion]

Read it again, no ones getting fired...

[kazuma]

wow confirmed? i hoped it was just a rumor =\ i'm gonna miss my age of empires ='(

but seriously, what's up with ms? now they only have 6 studios and lost 7. what gives?

edit: yeah, it might be just that. i seriously hope all the main ensemble guys go together someplace else or stay there or whatever, i still want more age of empires.

[Xi]

Make new IP's and hire outside companies to make them. Plus most of the studio's their closing are pc specific.

[TheExecutive]

the importance of separate studios is the ideas that differentiate them. Having everyone under one roof is just a bad idea.

[Xi]

I loved ensemble.

[Stickguy259]

I definitely don't support Microsoft in this decision, though I'm glad that Halo Wars will get supported.

[joeynox]

did anyone even read the article? They are closing the studio and the main team members are making a new studio and will continue to support halo wars and make New games. This has nothing to do with a future xbox so anyone questioning weather of not a new box is coming out in the future should edit their comments because there will be another xbox.This is just dropping a dead studio with some crap devs in it and taking the best of that bunch and forming a new studio.

As for MS not deving games what games is sony deving? Arent they just buying the studios or just paying "funding" these devs who had some good ideas for ips Killzone,LBP,MS,Resistance? Nintendo,MS,Sony,Sega are all the same ,well sega is crap now.They were a great company but just make garbage its amazing how the beautiful dreamcast killed the company.

[Cartesian3D]

they will support halo wars for sure.. (at least they pretend..)

but nintendo,sony and ms have completely different behavior about this business..

SONY after PS2 had many first party and second party support.they made many new IPs and help many small devs to improve their ideas and make sth decent for gaming community.(just look at many interviews with developers)

but MS just buy other's IPs .. just look at the SONY titles >>

Insomniac >> new title resistance
Noughtydog>> Uncharted
sucker punch>> inFamous
MediaMulecole >> small dev whom MS refuse to support, but SONY did
... and many other new IPs from sony .

[VF34EJ25]

Well, Buying a company or funding them under their corp. would technically make them a 1st party studio.

[TheExecutive]

sorry, but MS is just shutting the doors. The leadership team is making their own studio.

After that fact is understood, downsizing is never a good thing. Innovation stems from 1st and 2nd party studios, its what sells your console. MGS seems to be in a reorg, whether its good or bad for them I do not know. All i know is its not good for the xbox franchise.

[Cartesian3D]

but i think Microsoft must change their business plan..

just look at google(77% growth from 2007 to 08) or apple(55% in same period) .. micorsoft(-24% !)

apple change its business plan(using intel chips,supporting other os for their laptops,new producs with FULL of innovation) .. I hate apple 3 years ago but I love it right now..

after Vista I think people wont trust MS products like before..

faulty hardware,50$ for online gaming,paying for every feature you want(extra space,HD DVD add on,WiFi...etc) ..

its not fair.. they have better sales just because of 1 year earlier release and semi-PC hardware. the only thing that will change MS is COMPETITION ..

MS wont make sth like bullsh!t vista if they have competitor..

and now they losing all of their first party studio s , it means 360 users BEWARE .. MS support wont last for 10 YEARS .

EDIT: sorry for off-topic comment.. but at least say your reason when clicking on disagree.. thx

[InfiniteUnfloppery]

hahahahaha

[TheOtherGuy]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA AHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

[Shaka2K6]

I guess failo wars is officially canned now?

the game looked like trash anyways.

microsucks fails again.

Hahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaa!

[Tweeperz]

BU-BUT SONY PUT A GAME ON HOLD!!!!!

lol the xbox fanatics of this site JUST GOT OWNED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[silverchode]

maybe some of those devs will go to work for sony.

[AngryXbot]

Every week closer to the PS3 triple A exclusives, it seems the situation is getting more and more dire for MS. It seems as day goes by, things get uglier for the bots.

Rofl Sonys internal studios become stronger everyday while MS relies on 3rd party more and more everyday. Rofl OWNED.

[OGharryjoysticks]

Since MS doesn't have to fund a studio's development of a true exclusive now they have more money to buy exclusive DLC for 3rd party games :)

[InfiniteUnfloppery]

First their exclusive games Flop,now their Studios are Flopping

[Tweeperz]

woOow they were just told "as soon as you finish your work for us we're f*cking you in the ass" XD

ONLY ON XBOX!

[morganfell]

Damn Tweep that was some funny crap.

[Doctor Strange]

That sucks but Ensemble will live on since in the post it said the leadership team are going to create a new studio and they are making a deal to work on Halo Wars after launch.

It sucks to see Ensemble go since they were a great studio and I hope under their new studio they have the same kind of success.

[InfiniteUnfloppery]

Naughty Dog Employees have nothing to worry about

[ngg12345]

But most likely going to be working on DLC for Halo wars, and other games.

[TheOtherGuy]

ummm the champagne is ready to flow,bring your glasses to the front!

[Shadow Man]

Digging 4 Gold on a Mountainside

[Bruce Everiss]

Microsoft continues to lose first party studios
Sony continues to acquire first part studios

[Shaka2K6]

Hahahahahaha and they all flop hahahahahaha.

to be onest ensemble hasnt made a decent game in years age of empires 3 was crap and there are far better RTS right now like Company of Hereos which rapes any RTS emsemble could ever create.

MICROSUCK FAILS AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!

Hahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaa xbugs let the tears flow Hahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

[zag]

MS isn't losing studios.

They buy them out then after 2-3 years close them down.

Get with the program.

[KBDuB]

That sucks. I really like Ensemble. They've made some of the best RTS games available on the PC.

[Shadow Man]

The Getaway and Eight Days cancelled

Sony has announced that these games have been canceled after almost 3 years of (slow) production.

http://www.playstatic.com/n...

That really sucks T_T

[PirateThom]

At least the studio behind them (SCE London Studio - Home, EyePet) didn't get cancelled as well.

[zo6_lover27]

At least they didn't shut down the whole studio.

Just imagine the games ensemble could have made that will now never exist.

[BlackRaven85]

"the leadership team" will form a new development house... yeah, funny how people seem to miss that little detail. Some leave, while others form another new development house for Microsoft.

[PirateThom]

The leadership team doesn't sound like developers to me, it sounds like "yes men".

[SRuN4]

It's not a new Microsoft studio, it's their own studio. Why would you need an agreement for post-release support for Halo Wars if Microsoft was just making another development studio with them?

Microsoft is closing the doors, they're leaving to make a new stuido and have agreed to support Halo Wars, and have agreed on future projects with MGS down the road.

It'd be like if Sony walked in and told Santa Monica "Hey we're closing the doors once God of War 3 is done." and the more experienced guys said "Hey lets start our own studio but we still wanna work with Sony on future projects."

[Bladestar]

what is a studio without the people that work in them...

"Though Microsoft will close the studio, Ensemble brass plan to soldier on. As part of today's statement, the studio said that "the leadership team" will form a new development house, and has already entered into an agreement with Microsoft to continue supporting Halo Wars post-launch, "as well as work on other projects with Microsoft Game Studios."

time has change and just because someone owns a company it does not mean that the talent will stay...

I think it does not matter if people working microsoft want to be more independent and make their own studios and ventures... Microsoft does not benefit from owning studios when the talent can quit... So, it benefit microsoft more to make better relationships with studios and keep them making games...

I mean seriously... how bad it was that bungie became independent? aren't they still supporting the xbox 360?

besides what are you anti-microsoft b!tch!ng about? isn't this your dream situlation where microsoft loses studios and the xbox 360 stop getting games? so why are you acting as if this is a disaster? shouldn't you be happy?

time has change there is no point of having 1000 studios spending money and resources all over the place... it's better to consolidate them and have teams support each other specially when they are own by 1 company...

and no... the talent will not disappear.. it will be allocated and a new studio will be formed... learn how to read fools.

[BlackRaven85]

That's what I'm saying. People miss the fact that Microsoft maybe dissolving the studio but creating a brand new one in the process.

[PirateThom]

As long as it's not like the studio Massive Inc, who are only there to develop in-game advertising.

[cmrbe]

this is bad. Its never good when a good dev is dismantled imo.

[InfiniteUnfloppery]

Microsoft are Officially Losing the Console War

[ELite_Ghost]

didn't we know that last year?

[Muff1nB4k3r]

I dunno why, but I feel that if the main members of the Ensemble Studios team shipped out and made a new 'studio', what would they call it? I personally think they should keep the name Ensemble Studios, the name has a solid rep in the area of RTS and Microsoft is going to have to help them get out good games after the change, to rebuild the reputation. I just hope to see another Age of Mythology in the near future.

[juuken]

Wow...just wow.
Things are falling apart for MS. :/

[Shadow Man]

*licks juukens neck* :3

[juuken]

...O-o;

Oh...well...err...

[ThatCanadianGuy]

I think Shadow man has just hit puberty..

[silverchode]

someones balls just dropped.

[TheOtherGuy]

Microsoft are Officially Losing the Console War

[KBDuB]

"InfiniteUnfloppery - Microsoft are Officially Losing the Console War"

Hmm...

[Stryfeno2]

Who or what the hell is Ensemble Studio?

*looks through all Xbox and Xbox 360 game library*

There wasn't much support there anyway...Next.

[PirateThom]

The minds behind Age of Empires.

You may have played Age of Empires II on your PlayStation 2.

[ThatCanadianGuy]

PirateThom..

Age of empires 2 is on PS2??!?!!?
Thats one of my all time fav RTS games.

[PirateThom]

It's also on DS!

[zo6_lover27]

You know whats funny?

Age of empires(the second one I think) was published by Microsoft yet released on the ps2

According to Wikipedia anyway, which might not be too credible

[KBDuB]

They've made Age of Empires and Rise of Nations. Two of my favorite RTS games, on PC.

[DFresh]

It's now confirmed the 360 has officially lost.
So what games do they have left now?
-Alan Wake (Delayed to late 2009)
-Splinter Cell Conviction (Went back to the drawing board.)
-Ninja Blade (No confirmed date.)
-Halo Wars (Confirmed by this article to be cancelled.)
-Halo 4 (Unknown)
-The Last Remant (Timed Exclusive)
-Star Ocean 4 (No confirmed release date.)
-FFXIII (Doesn't come out on the 360 until 2010. Not to mention it's exclusive to the PS3 in Japan along w/ the bundle & demo exclusive to PS3.)
Come on now there's nothing left.

PS3 is growing so fast and now 360 has nothing to comeback them now.

360's reign of power in this console war has come to an end.

R.I.P
Xbox 360

[KBDuB]

"-Halo Wars (Confirmed by this article to be cancelled.)" What the hell you talking about?

"Microsoft and Ensemble have confirmed that the studio will be shut down once the Xbox 360-exclusive RTS set in the best-selling Halo franchise ships out early next year." It won't be shut down until AFTER the game releases.

[silverchode]

i guess some people just dont like to read.

[cmrbe]

Making AOE,AOM as they are some of the best RTS out there. I seriously don't get MS. They are willing to spend 50 million on DLC alone and yet they said they is money issues why they aren't keeping them.

[pwnsause]

Now thats a damn shame. that is dumb.

[bootsielon]

The biggest reason I owned a 360 for! I loved Age of Empires 1, 2 and 3 and also Age of Mythologies. IMHO they are some of the best RTS devs, up there with Blizzard.

The only Halo game I was looking forward to play was this one. Ugh, so now that Bizarre, Bungie, Bioware and Ensemble Studios won't be with Microsoft, it's only Gearbox (are they even MS exclusive?), Lionhead, Rare, Mistwalker and that barely recruited Canadian studio. That is still too little compared to Nintendo and Sony.

Edit:

Above: MicroJEW? Reported as offensive

[bootsielon]

Noooooooooooo!!!!
The biggest reason I owned a 360 for! I loved Age of Empires 1, 2 and 3 and also Age of Mythologies. IMHO they are some of the best RTS devs, up there with Blizzard.

The only Halo game I was looking forward to play was this one. Ugh, so now that Bizarre, Bungie, Bioware and Ensemble Studios won't be with Microsoft, it's only Gearbox (are they even MS exclusive?), Lionhead, Rare, Mistwalker and that barely recruited Canadian studio. That is still too little compared to Nintendo and Sony.

[DJ]

But is Mistwalker owned by Microsoft?

[Charlie2688]

Mistwalker is independent but so far MS owns all of their current IPs

And yes contrary to the classic clueless N4G talk about IPs I actually looked for it (its not that hard its on the freaking MS IP page)

[pwnsause]

Gearbox is independent as well. They Are currently Developing the Brothers in Arms game for Ubisoft.

[Talvish]

@DJ

Mistwalker took money in from MS so it is highly likely MS owns some portion of them ... how much is unclear. So while Mistwalker isn't a first party MS likely carries some influence.

Also, from wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wik...

[DJ]

They only own 4 studios, and chopping that down to 3 studios is just ridiculous. They let Bungie and Bizzare slip out of their hands, failed to secure Bioware, and shut down 3 other studios (make that 4 now).

Is Microsoft Game Studios being run by a bunch of retards? Or are they seriously considering not having any 1st party exclusives to speak of?

[cmrbe]

Either MS is preparing for a major buyout or they are seriously closing down shop for the gaming division.

No console can survive on multi plat games.

[M337ING]

The only dev I'd think they want would be Epic....

Think its possible?

[DJ]

Epic makes plenty of money off of Unreal Engine 3, and stand to make even more with Gears 2 and especially Gears 3, which is going to be multiplatform.

Epic has no reason to be bought out.

[cmrbe]

EPIC is too big and have alot going for them atm. MS should follow Sony's footstep. Look for up and coming talent. Nurture them and then buy them out as 1st party or work with them as 2nd parties.

It financially stupid to buyout a big 3rd party publisher as their value would dimminish greatly if it we to publish for one console.

[Rhoic]

I'm sorry dude.. but that is just daft to say it's multi-platform XD..

Why would they want to have the first 2 games exclusive for 1 console.. then the third one is multi-platform.. No one would understand the story.

I guarantee you that Microsoft would probably just buy the exclusive rights to Gears 3.. if there even is one.

[DJ]

Microsoft signed a contract with Epic for only 2 versions of Gears of War, since they weren't sure if it was going to be successful or not. I'm sure they've been trying to sign a deal for part 3, but Epic's thinking about how much money they can make off a PS3 iteration.

By the time part 3 comes out, PS3 could have a 30 million unit install base.

[SRuN4]

Gears of War is lucky to have been made from what I read. Nobody wanted to fund the game except Microsoft and Epic didnt have the money to undertake the game on their own. So in return they obviously got the exclusive along with the first rights to the second game.

Gears of War 3 is completely up in the air as to which platform(s) it will show up on. If Microsoft can pay enough to make the decision of cutting out potential PS3-only customers bearable then you'll see it stay on X360 exclusively. But if Epic sees dollar signs with an untapped audience on the PS3 then they'll go multiplatform with it.

[Rhoic]

By the time we have a Gears of War 3, we'll be seeing a new XBOX most likely.. and I have no doubt in my mind Microsoft would probably just extend the contract and ask EPIC.. Hell, they said they're happy to be working with gears on the XBOX.

and again, why would 2 games be exclusive for 1 console, then the third one would be multiplatform..

[SRuN4]

How many Playstation exclusives went multiplatform? Oh yeah, that's right almost all of them. You forget the Final Fantasy announcement? Just because something is exclusive doesn't mean it's staying exclusive.

Like I said, the deal was for the first game to be exclusive with Microsoft having first rights to the sequel if they made one. That's it.

Unless Microsoft wants to dump a ton of money in front of Epic it will probably go multiplatform to open an untapped market on the PS3. Just like all the old PS exclusives going multiplatform to tap into the X360 market. And I wouldn't call their relationship rosey either, they've had their problems with charging for content and mod support, something that is a very high priority to Epic.

[JasonPC360PS3Wii]

Poor droids

[bootsielon]

Another studio is being destroyed by Microsoft so Xbots will have less games to play, at least for a little while. Doesn't that make more sense to you?

Whoops, I forgot I'm in the open zone.

[dkgshiz]

Poor droids? If anything its poor bots, this is microsofts company that just got canned! Your an idiot to think this isn't bad for Microsoft. Have fun with that super cool line up this year. Gears 2, fable 2.

[cmrbe]

he is just lost for words and these are the only two words he has left.

[Rhoic]

+Banjo-Kazooie
+Fallout 3 (Exclusive DLC)
+Huxley
+Left 4 Dead
+Arcade games
+The fact that multi-platform games tend to sell better on the 360.

If you're going to talk trash about something.. at least be right about it.

There's..

LBP
Motorstorm 2
Resistance 2 (Which is competing against 4 other games..)

Fail much.

Also, how exactly is this 'bad' for MS? They stated in the article they would take members(Probably the best) of Ensemble Studios and hire them for MGS.

I understand that there are consequences for what they did, but considering that we know nothing of why they did it, we cant say this is bad in the least bit.. nor could we say it's good.

[AngryXbot]

Ok, so you mention a bunch of crappy 360 titles as your defense which makes you look absolutely stupid and dense. I mean who the fk cares about Huxley? Noone in this gaming world except for the 1% extremely delusional xbots. You then mention crappy “xbox arcade games”. Are you fking for real here? Left 4 dead? It’s on the same level as UT3 for crying out loud. Banjo? Not even on the same level as the shiatgame called Kameo. And finally Fallout 3, which is a multi platform title meaning, its ALSO on the PS3. I like how you then try to make it as if the 360 has such a better version with “exclusive DLC” when by now everyone knows that DLC don’t matter and that noone buys a console for DLC (which isn’t even free).

You then proceed to mention only 3 PS3 EXCLUSIVE games and then try to make it appear as if PS3 “has no future or line up worth comparing”. I mean roflmao. You idiots proof yet again why you xbot scum are the most stupid people on the net. The amount of retardism and delusionality is truly something else.

OWNED

[juuken]

Little Big Planet
Resistance 2
Valkyria Chronicles
Motorstorm Pacific
Naruto: Ninja Storm

Are you sh*tting me?
How could you forget these other games?

[Rhoic]

@juuken

You just named 3 out of the 5 games I just mentioned.

@AngryXbot (Weird..)

Don't kid yourself.. the games look great, and the majority of people who have seen them agree on that note (From what I've seen and read lol).

Also, pay attention please. I stated games for this year..

[Charlie2688]

NO!!!!!!!!!!!

I loved Ensemble Studios :(

This is a sad day for gamers and RTS fans T.T

Looks like yet another of the Golden Age RTS Kings has passed away T.T

[bootsielon]

Capcom? Square? Konami? Namco? Rockstar? Please no. My inner holy big creature died when Microsoft bought Lionhead since I thought their games were well suited for the Wii and DS and Molyneux actually wanted to develop for those two.

Well, they can have Tecmo. I wouldn't hate them that much if they do. Afterwards they should re-hire Itagaki so he can keeps trashtalking like a 10 year old.

I think microsoft should keep recruiting small indies instead. It would be cheaper, fresh, new, and original IP and all gamers would win. If they do the contrary, gamers will lose.

[Talvish]

Personally I think MS needs to do both.

Having some well established titles is good for the bottom-line and adds some solid game brand recognition, assuming the right company is purchased.

Buying an indy developer with a good record of innovation adds a nice breath of fresh air with less risk to the bottom-line.

[GameDev]

I WILL SAY IT ONCE MORE, Microsoft is planning to leave the console industry. Think of internal studios like divisions inside a gaming company. Any company for that matter that see's that much downsizing going would have present employees headed for the door aswell.

SOmething struck a nerve in me with the way Peter Moore suddenly up and left at the height of the console war. HE obviously saw the writing on the wall much sooner than most at MS.

AS far as the xbot idiots on here who do nothing but hate on Sony and the Ps3, I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE DAY THAT THE 360 FOLDS SO I CAN RUB YOUR STUPID SNOUTS IN IT.

as for normal kids out there who just want to enjoy their 360, those are the ones I truly feel sorry for.

[juuken]

Believe me, I have saved a couple of worthwhile articles to parade around with once this happens. xD

I don't want to see them leave (competition purposes) but their actions have been questionable. I mean...how do they expect to win a console war like this? :/

This shows that they are unable to work on their own first party games and depend on timed exclusives and 3rs party to survive. They have no creativity or willingness to innovate in any way whatsoever.

Unbelievable.

[GameDev]

I wonder if it's more a case of a market having to be earned through hardwork and innovation instead of a ready made audience like they had with the windows OS line. It's becoming clear that the corporate mindset at MS is not one of doing what it takes to win but more of doing what it takes to make the other guy lose. They went up against Sony in their own backyard (hardware) and got their clocks cleaned. Nice try MS, maybe you should stick to trying to be a good software company first.

[catchnvampire]

Now why would they do that when Sony has been trumpeting its first party exclusives all along to the public.

I have a hunch Microsoft is going to take over a major Third party publisher that has a good number of Studios. EA / Activision would be a bit too big for them to take over. My bet is probably Ubi or Take2.

Or they seriously are not intent on competing 'next' gen time around.

Nothing else makes sense!!

[Tweeperz]

Microsoft are Officially Losing the Console War

[Rhoic]

You have officially made 3 accounts to post the same thing.

Fail.

[zethos56]

I was scared until I read the article. Ensemble is an awesome studio and should be kept alive. Though just because the leaders will be moved doesn't necessarily mean their new games will be as good...

[pain777pas]

What the is M$ doing? They are just using people now this is ridiculous. Seriously some loyalty and devotion to your devs M$ goes a long way. I've never seen a company give up on 1st and 2nd party devs like M$. Unbelievable!!!!!!!!!

[Figboy]

what's worse, a mandatory install for the PS3 version of Bioshock?

or an ENTIRE STUDIO being shut down, with members being assimilated into another studio?

i don't know what game Microsoft is playing at, but if a company is serious about expanding into the gaming market in force, i'd think that INCREASING their internal dev studios would be the order of the day.

the biggest problem the Playstation had way back when was lack of strong first party titles that could rival Nintendo and Sega's offering. Sony was relying too much on third party devs like Squaresoft and Konami.

HOWEVER, with their second console, the PS2, Sony seriously bumped up their first party devs, and struck deals with second party devs like Insomniac and Naughty Dog (they eventually bought Naughty Dog). and while Insomniac and Sucker Punch are free to make games for whomever they please, the FRANCHISES that those studios create are owned by Sony. so Jak, Ratchet, Sly, inFamous, Resistance, Uncharted, etc, can continue even if Insomniac and Sucker Punch decide to say goodbye.

where i think MS is erring, is in their insistence on simply hording a franchise for a timed exclusive, then letting the sequels go where they please. Microsoft should have BOUGHT the IPs of Bioshock, Mass Effect, and Gears of War, because those three franchises DEFINED the Xbox 360 for it's first two years on the market, much like how Halo defined the original Xbox last generation.

the Halo franchise can't do it all, and with it almost a guarantee that Mass Effect will come to the PS3 in the same way that Bioshock now has, Microsoft doesn't need to CLOSE studios, they need to take some of that money they spent seducing Rockstar for GTAIV DLC, and Square-Enix for a FFXIII 360 release, and apply that to establishing ALL NEW studios that can work on true EXCLUSIVE GAMES for the 360, not add on content to games that, with time, will only have their userbases DIMINISH as newer and better games come out.

hell, what if Saint's Row 2 happens to be BETTER than GTAIV in every way possible like they claim? how many people will want to step back into Liberty City if that happens?

i own a Playstation 3 and an Xbox 360. i don't WANT them to constantly keep getting the same games. i WANT them to have their own identities and feels. multi-platform games i pick up on my PS3. why? various reasons, but mainly, i prefer the PS3 controller, and if the game has an online mode, i don't have to pay to play it.

it's games like Fable 2, Star Ocean, Tales of Vesperia, Alan Wake, etc, that get me pumped about the 360, not "hey kids, FFXIII is ALSO coming to the 360!"

now, if it was "hey kids, FFXIII is ALSO coming to the 360, but we have a bunch of exclusive first and second party titles in the works too!" i wouldn't be concerned.

but when all i see is a "me too," approach from MS, i'm not a happy camper. i don't WANT Sony to run rampant across the industry like they did for two gens in a row. as evidenced by 2005 and early 2006, their ego cannot go unchecked for long. they NEED the competition that Microsoft can bring, but unfortunately, Sony is going to MOP THE FLOOR with MS in terms of first and second party exclusive content.

i wont, but i could list the number of exclusives ONLY coming from MS and Sony's first and second party dev studios, and it's laughably one-sided.

multi-platforms are fine and dandy, and people will get them on the consoles they prefer, whether 360 or PS3, but a console's identity in the eyes of the consumer is defined by what is only available on that console. so far, all i see are derivative titles based on Nintendo and Sony franchises, and lots of cool 3rd party games (ie, Gears of War, Mass Effect, Ninja Gaiden), that Microsoft got into bed with by waving their checkbook around.

i think MS has been the best competition Sony has faced, period. but i don't know what they're doing with closing down studios, and letting talented devs like Bungie go independent.

what games are 360 fans excited about that AREN'T third party developed? i'm surprised at how many first and second party PS3 titles i'm pumped about. games that will ONLY be available on the PS3 because Sony owns those IPs.

outside of Fable 2 and Banjo, there isn't much on my 360 first party list that makes me bat an eye. everything else i'm interested in (Alan Wake, Infinite Undiscovery, Star Ocean, Tales of Vesperia, Gears of War 2, Mass Effect 2, etc), are all developed, and OWNED by third parties, meaning, depending on how things play out in this next year concerning momentum of the consoles (ie, PS3 has gained SIGNIFICANT momentum, while the 360 is kind of plateauing), those franchises could easily jump to the PS3.

like i said before, the closing/assimilation of a game developer is more distressing to me than having to cough up 5gigs of my HDD to play Bioshock on the PS3.

[TheExecutive]

correct. although we dont know the exact reason that MS shut down this studio its only part of a pattern that can best be described as disturbing.

Consoles are sold on exclusives. Not owning these IP's is dangerous. It shows a lack vision for the future, something MS has been plagued by the entirety of this console lifecycle. 1st and 2nd party studios build your reputation and show exactly what a console can do.

I agree with Sony's business plan, I just wish MS would work on theirs.

[Figboy]

we don't know the reasons why they closed it down, but it's just unfortunate, because Ensemble was a TERRIFIC studio.

it just bugs me when talented developers are closed down or dissolved because of some corporate bottom line.

i guess i'm still smarting from the closure of Clover Studios way back when (damn Capcom).

i don't care if the devs just moved onto new studios, over their tenure together, they developed a working environment based off of that experience that produced some amazing games.

here's a better example, i think, to illustrate my point: RARE.

way back when, they created some of the most classic games on the N64 with Goldeneye, Banjo and Kazooie, and Perfect Dark.

after the PS1/N64 era, some of the key designers at RARE, left and formed Free Radical.

BOTH studios have never been able to capture that same magic they did when they worked together. yes, they created some fun games (ie, Viva Pinata, Time Splitters), but more often than not, they're games are lacking (ie, Kameo, Haze).

i think if those devs had never split off, the titles from the studio would be much stronger.

this is what i fear will happen with Ensemble. i hope i'm wrong, however.

[Fade_Walker]

This is insane!

If Microsoft doesn't come out with another system then it would be back to Sony and Nintendo.

But with all the IP's they own I would imagine that they will have another console, or they will just become a PC exclusive.

[DJ]

Forza, Fable, Halo, and Gears (for another year, anyway). That's not a lot to count on, and Rare hasn't exactly been successful. Maybe they feel that they can survive off of multiplatform titles, thus the purchasing of PS3 exclusives to switch to multiplatform status.

They'd rather pick and choose proven franchises to grace their console rather than invest in new studios and IPs.

[Rhoic]

+Mass Effect, probably could buy Valve, probably could buy Ubisoft, etc..

Why would Microsoft suddenly give up on the gaming market when they've made such a huge impact for being the underdog of the gaming market.

Also, they're taking probably about 60% of the members from Ensemble Studios and putting them in MGS.

I mean.. unless Microsoft doesn't like money(Yeah right), then there's no reason why they would drop out of the gaming market. Not to mention how companies already want to work on the next XBOX's hardware..

What I see.. is a big announcement coming soon.

[Rhoic]

Also wut? Rare is doing fine lol. Viva Pinata 1 and 2 are great games and have great reviews.. and I have no doubt that they're planning on releasing their FPS soon, along with a new Conker game.. (All of this has been rumored to be announced by the end of the month). Not to mention that Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts is coming out, along with Banjo-Kazooie 1 over the arcade.

[SRuN4]

An exit from the gaming industry could be a shareholder decision, not something from their own home entertainment division.

The division has been a sink hole for money and finally after six years of venturing into the console gaming market, they turned a profit on the whole thing at the beginning of this year.

http://www.joystiq.com/2008...

Add that fact it took them that long just to turn a profit on the Xbox brand as a whole and the sinking sales numbers they've been posting this year, shareholders could see it as a time to get out while the going it good. I HIGHLY, HIGHLY doubt that's the case but all they care about is money and never say never.

[xboxrumble]

a bunch of baboons in here trying to make a case..

[thehitman]

arent they suppose to be acquiring/making studios instead of breaking them apart? At this stage in Sony's development Sony was out getting first party and 2nd party studios to develop their games. The Future looks very dim for MS xbox what studio besisde MGS does MS own? How they even plan to release a new console with only 1 studio to ship or make a new game.

[LeonSKennedy4Life]

After the Bungie thing, I think Microsoft got scared a little bit.

So, these smaller companies they have contracts with...they are ending...and taking on the best developers from each studio to make exclusives for the 360. Not a bad plan, eh?

Well...except for the jobless problem.

[TheDesperado]

And another one gone
And another one gone
And another one bites the dust

Bungie/Bizarre/Bioware/Rare(d ead to everyone with taste)

Welcome, Ensemble, to developing for other consoles.

[Rhoic]

Baph? Is that you? Oh lordy lord.. you cant get enough of the 360 can you? :x

[ApocalypseShadow]

AND EVERYONE KNOWS THAT BY NOW.

but microsoft will lose lionhead as well but make an exclusive contract with them too.same with rare.after their games ship,they will let them go.microsoft's new thing is to tie up devs to continue to work for them but leave them to be independent.

but microsoft could go the route of one thing next gen:MERGE WITH EA.

they could lose everyone else,but having EA as their sole ally could sway a lot of companies one way next gen.microsoft would still allow multiplatform development(the EA side) accept for a sony system.that would effectively shut out sony.

EA has the brand,the money,the music,the investors,etc. even if we HATE them alot.

and if EA aquires take two and gets rockstar,that's just another exclusive dev with icing on the cake.

nor only would it make MGS-EA the largest game company in the world,but the biggest to publish other smaller devs work when next gen games get even more expensive.and we know EA's thoughts are to beat ubisoft,activision and any other large upcoming threat.

but we'll see....but i still don't like microsoft or EA.shame another dev bites the dust somewhat though.

apocalypse.......

[zonetrooper5]

Man this sucks I love Ensemble studios, I actually shouted "NOOO", ;_;

[honorable1]

I can slightly understand why they allowed Bungie to jump and be able to develop for whoever they wanted. If I look at PC game sales I can even in some crazy way understand why you allow Ensemble to go away. Though I just don't want to believe it. It's not like they were slowly slipping away from the success of Age of Empires. They were improving on a formula, making it more advanced yet familiar.

I would compare it to mathematics, first you learn addition and subtraction, next comes multiplication and division, and after that exponents. Everything though was built upon what came before, and with this company they didn't try to go back and change what a few numbers meant, (kind of like Halo did). So every new installation of their series felt like playing a slightly different game yet with a new team.

Hopefully they are all on to creating true games, for gamers. (Not cheap cash machines that any moron can create, and yes I am looking at you Yaris for xbox arcade!)

[sajj316]

I'm not sure how MS plans to reinvest/reallocate but closing a studio of this calibur is difficult for everyone.

Some things to consider for Xbox 720, if there is one.

1. First Party support is critical. Bungie is now independent. Ensemble is closing. RARE has been underutilized. More $$ (it seams) has been spent on securing third party timed / full exclusives. That move is not a good long-term business plan!

2. Hardware costs are rising for entry units. I can't see MS doing it alone on the hardware front. They need a partner. I've heard rumors of Samsung getting into the mix or maybe Toshiba. If MS can not secure a partner, I can't see the 720 coming

3. Split strategy. With Microsoft trying to tap into the casual market ... how can they balance the core appetite with these studios closing? I haven't seen much in terms of gaming for 2009. Where is Alan Wake? Will Halo Wars be rushed to market with Ensemble closing? A Bungie-less Halo? Gears of War 3 on PS3 as well ... I can go on and on.

[zonetrooper5]

With MS does have Alan Wake, Halo Wars and Ninja Blade for 2009 thats just 3 exclusives for the 360. Then you got Splinter Cell which is TBA though I'm guessing 2009/2010 release and maybe they have got some other games left.

[AnttiApina]

Whyyy!? You idiots!

[squall2099]

you all are living a lie with the ps3. it will not live to see its 10th year like the ps2, it's days are numbered. so what it has blucrap!, and sorry azz online and half ass home beta crap. xbox360 with the Relaunch(end of sept) will rain all over ps3 again this holiday season, ps3 has power but no brains. dont blame the developers for orange box sucking ass on ps3, blame SONY!!!!!. yea microsoft is money hungery(gamers pics, themes) but you know what???? they know how to get things done, not half azzing it to death. DEATH TO ALL PLAYSTATION 3 POTBOTS!!!

all xbots must rise.... RISEEEEEE!!!. take your place as number 1!. for we are XBOTS!

[ELite_Ghost]

Funnier thing would be them CANCELING the game!!

[ghettocheeze]

Then throw a money to get a studio (Rare).

forget
1) Bond series is owned by EA so NO Goldeneye, plus the top talent is gone
2) Donkey Kong is owned by Nintendo So no DK
3) Perfect Dark Sequel: let's make one 10 years later when half the team has moved on.

I see the cycle repeating. Talented people leaving making their own stuff then letting MS pay for ancient relics left on the wall as trophies.

Bungie got out and was then slapped on wrist at E3, told by the man they cannot show their new project to anyone. How long do you think this tyranny will work?

Rockstar took them to the bank for 50 large and are now sipping champagne on a cruise off the coast of Ireland all expense paid for by MS in return for vaporware dlc yet to be released in the distant future.

MS doesn't need to consolidate studios but reshuffle the people heading their gaming division. Peter Moore cannot be the scapegoat anymore he is at EA now. Somebody needs to get a memo from the head office.

[aggh im on fire]

Do the people here actually read the friggen articles?

[CAPT IRISH]

no one does

[smokeymicpot]

No one reads the articles besides certain people and people who aren't dumb fanboy's.

That sucks that there closing down hopefully Halo Wars does good give them one last good game.

[Droid]

They were that happy with Halo Wars, eh?

That's encouraging.

[romemac7]

that to sad for Microsoft

[josh3rdegree]

why would they do that why the have only for left this is crazy but ohh well.

goo sony