Confirmed: Microsoft closing Ensemble

Discussion in 'Gaming Hangout' started by InsaneNutter, Sep 10, 2008.

  1. InsaneNutter

    InsaneNutter Resident Nutter Staff Member

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    That's a shame, Age of Empires is one of my favourite games on PC, I hope this does not mean it’s the end for Age of Empires series.
     
  2. Slaz

    Slaz Roast as you make toast!

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    A shock to the many, many Age of Empires fans..
     
  3. Safinn

    Safinn Addict

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    What a joke. I don't understand why they are closing them down. What have they done wrong? I also hope AOE will carry on!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 11, 2008
  4. InsaneNutter

    InsaneNutter Resident Nutter Staff Member

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    Not too sure, it says: "Ensemble's leadership team will form a new development house” maybe its a good way to cut costs by only keeping the best people? Hopefully more will be revealed, I want to see Age of Empires 4 someday.

    I think Aoe 4 was planned and looked like it is supposed to be set early world war era.

    [​IMG]
     
  5. Trebor

    Trebor Dolphin Fan

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    I think MS has lost the plot a little. They're either selling off some of their best studios (Bizzare Creations, Bungie kinda) or closing them down (FASA, Ensemble). What do they have left? They really need to think about what effect this is having on people and not just profit margins etc. Seems MS are moving further away from PC gaming and heading straight to console only games. Heck isn't Halo Wars for 360 only? Then why close Ensemble down if they're working on a product with guranteed sales, known IP what with the story, characters etc and releasing a game on the platform you're wanting to expand into? Like the rest have said, I just hope the new studio can work on AOE and release it on 360 as well as PC. If the games are only released on the 360 I will not be happy!
     
  6. elamre

    elamre Member

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    damn, it was my favorite game. especialy age of empires 2.
     
  7. Safinn

    Safinn Addict

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    InsaneNutter, that picture of AOE 4 looks amazing. Thats what i'm looking for in a statergy game, more modern combat. If this happenes it will 100% become a top game.
     
  8. InsaneNutter

    InsaneNutter Resident Nutter Staff Member

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    Microsoft have the IP so they can always develop it in house or get a new studio to do it, but i still don’t agree with closing Ensemble down... a new studio with different people could quite easy ruin Age of Empires.

    Yes Halo Wars is 360 only, RTS on a console is a big no to me :( heck if they added support for a USB mouse I wouldn’t mind one bit, however they won’t do that, a joypad just don’t cut it for RTS games.

    I don’t mind combat in medieval times but I agree an Age of Empires game set around the 1900’s / World War 1 and 2 era would be amazing! :)
     
  9. InsaneNutter

    InsaneNutter Resident Nutter Staff Member

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    Ensemble co-founder Bruce Shelley has revealed that the staff of the studio which is closing down are absolutely shocked that this is happening. Shelley thought that the studio was immune to closure as many of their titles have done well and were profitable. However, it seems they did not fit in with the future plans of MS as an internal...

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  10. preto

    preto Member

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    microsoft sux omg they are like EA

    cmps
     

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