Ensmeble Studios to be closed

[Galaril]

This sucks MS is shutting down Ensemble Studios the makers of many well known game like Ages of Empires 1 and 3. My first PC game actually was Ages of Empires 1. If not for it I might never have had the interest to take up PC gaming or dare I say network security as a career.
IGN: Thoughts on Ensemble Closure

[astrosfan64]

Something here doesn't make sense. I'm betting that the Ensemble Studios "core" guys want to go back to their roots and MS wants them to make xbox 360 games first and foremost.

Bet we see an annoucement that Bruce Shelley is starting a new studio somewhere over the next few years.

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by astrosfan64

Something here doesn't make sense. I'm betting that the Ensemble Studios "core" guys want to go back to their roots and MS wants them to make xbox 360 games first and foremost.

Bet we see an annoucement that Bruce Shelley is starting a new studio somewhere over the next few years.

You would hope so.

[Marc Vaughan]

Originally Posted by astrosfan64

Something here doesn't make sense. I'm betting that the Ensemble Studios "core" guys want to go back to their roots and MS wants them to make xbox 360 games first and foremost.

Bet we see an annoucement that Bruce Shelley is starting a new studio somewhere over the next few years.

I've already heard comments that there is a pheonix from the flames approach here, ie. a new studio springing up.

Ensemble had some amazing chaps there and I'm sure the games they go onto create (whether inside Microsoft or elsewhere) will continue to be impressive.

PS - I think its more to do with Microsoft wanting most development to be third-party driven again (it was more important to have teams inhouse before the 360 established itself as well as it has - now hits are coming from outside theres no reason for Microsoft to risk millions making games when other people will and give a cut to Microsoft).