Ensemble Studios to close after Halo Wars release

[Fletcher]

It seems the great Ensemble Studios game developers are shutting up shop thanks to 'fiscal' stuff from Microsoft Game Studios that want to continue their growth...

Here is a link: http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/54654

Confirming a story broken by Shacknews, Microsoft now says that it will shut down developer Ensemble Studios (Age of Empires) following the end of work on the company's upcoming RTS Halo Wars.

Microsoft called the planned closure a "fiscally-rooted" decision, while noting that a core Ensemble team will go on to form a new studio to provide support for Halo Wars and work on fresh projects.

Though not all employees will be transferred to the new studio, Microsoft plans to find other jobs for as many workers as possible.

Microsoft's full statement follows:

Microsoft has decided to close Ensemble Studios following the completion of Halo Wars. After the closure, the Ensemble leadership team will form a new studio and has agreed to provide ongoing support for Halo Wars as well as work on other projects with Microsoft Game Studios.

The team at Ensemble has made invaluable contributions to the games industry with their Age of Empires and Age of Mythology games and with the highly anticipated release of Halo Wars. This decision does not reflect at all on Ensembles talent or the quality of Halo Wars. in fact, many people who have had a chance to test drive Halo Wars agree that it is on track to being a fantastic game.

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.

As to our overall strategy at MGS, it remains the same. We are committed to growing MGS with world-class talent both internally and with our external partners around the globe. We have recently added some well-known developers to our team and will continue growing the team. Were particularly excited about the titles we have in the pipeline and continue to evaluate additional opportunities to bring incredible games to life with the industrys best. Our investment in games has never been greater than it is today.

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"Oh chuffing blimey, another day, another person being whiney!"
Fletcher's Feedback and Stories Thread

[aqwin]

It seems the great Ensemble Studios game developers are shutting up shop thanks to 'fiscal' stuff from Microsoft Game Studios that want to continue their growth...

Here is a link: http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/54654

Blast.

Ensemble was killer.

AOE2, anyone?

except for freelancer (!!!), microsoft is just streaming everything towards goddamn xboxs.

[Primus Avatar]

AoE 2 was epic, i still play it cause its realistic and balanced

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wassup

[Fletcher]

AoE 2 was epic, i still play it cause its realistic and balanced

Ditto, I got the Conquerors for that, sadly, I could never find a copy of it in any shops, so my cousin burned me one. I couldn't even find one in the shop, that was a drag.

AoE 2 was brilliant, I loved building my mini empire, swords in front, archers and pike men behind, and steamroll with the tank-like paladins...

*Sigh* Good times. I even made Dynasty Warriors 3 Scenarios out of it:lol: I am also ashamed to say, I made the whole Runescape map too... I was 14 leave me alone!!

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"Oh chuffing blimey, another day, another person being whiney!"
Fletcher's Feedback and Stories Thread

[AdamantineFist]

Eurgh. Damn it, I grew up on AoE! I remember the original... ah, good times, good times. Sad to see them go, they made some great games in their time.

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[Xing]

AoE 1 was one of my favorite game. Mainly with the cheat code allowing you to catapult cow. I thought it was funny...

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[Zygoeths]

AoE 2 was epic, i still play it cause its realistic and balanced

AoE2? AOE2? What about AoMG and the original AoM, those games where just or more epic as AoE2 (Because AoE2 and AoM are based pretty much on the same gameplay).

[baivan]

I have the feeling that games nowdays are been made just for $$$$$ :(

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"Your words are powerful; write carefully, with precision and meaning. Use them to nurture, not destroy." - Jools Noctru of the Order of Krath

[JakeSG]

AoE2. Great game. Always picked the Brits, then spammed Longbowmen and Paladins, and flattened damned near everything. Except computer on hardest difficulty. They always show out of nowhere and hit you in the arse. Although I once managed to beat one by walling with palisades straight away, upgrading when I could, then hitting him in the arse by knocking down trees with Onagers. Took a loooong time.

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For the Core.

[Caelum]

I grew up on AoE!

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