No one saw the closure of Microsoft Games Studios developer Ensemble Studios coming, and that includes the studio’s founder Bruce Shelley. Today Shelley wrote in his blog that Ensemble employees were “shocked” and remain disappointed with MGS’ decision to close the long-time studio responsible for Halo Wars and Age of Empires.
In addition to revealing the impact of the news, Shelley outlines the reasons why he thinks the studio was closed:
First, they want to divert the headcount tied up in ES and the costs that are expected to be required to run ES for the next few years into other projects. Second, it sounded like it cost more to run ES on a per person basis than other first party studios (Rare, Lionhead, Forza, Flight Sim) putting us at a disadvantage. (Plus they avoid the expense of a new office that we were planning.) And third, games those studios are expected to deliver in the next few years are expected to be more strategic and profitable to the company than anything we would be finishing after Halo Wars.
In case you were worried, Ensemble is still completely committed to
Halo Wars. In fact, they're so committed that every spare hand in the studio is working on the title exclusively. The only question that remains is how many passive aggressive swipes at Microsoft will appear in the final version of the game. I wouldn’t be surprised if I read some blurry remarks on the side of a warthog as it rolls down the field this January.
[via Edge]
| BBcode help |
| [b]Bold text[/b] |
Bold text |
| [i]Italic text[/i] |
Italic text |
| [url]http://www.dtoid.com/[/url] |
http://www.dtoid.com |
| [url=http://www.dtoid.com/]Web link[/url] |
Web link |
|
| [img]http://www.example.com/robot.jpg[/img] |
 |
Post a comment! You can also post a photo below:
Comment with Facebook
Click connect and comment instantly!
|
Comment with Dtoid
New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds
|
6 comments | showing # 1 to 6
|
Comment with Facebook
Click connect and comment instantly!
|
Comment with Dtoid
New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds
|
Comments policy
Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?
Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!
Contest:
10:33 PM on 09.22.2008
| 
It's being closed after they finish Halo Wars.
I am sad, but maybe its for the best, as number 3 wasn't all that good. But number 1 and 2 will remain in my heart for ever and ever.