Ensemble Studios shutting down [creators of AOE]

Yep, the creators of the Age of Empires series and the Halo Wars game is going to be closed down by Microsoft. So sad.

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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LOL, They are shutting them down beacuse they need a new favourite company after Bungie left. Thats all I see in that. And, at least Halo Wars will be finished.

Though, I have a question... since they will be shut down after Halo Wars what production company's logo will go on it? MGS AND Ensemble or just MGS because who needs to know a shut down company. #-o

Uh, they're shutting them down and reforming them into a different company for financial reasons, and they will continue to provide support for Halo Wars after release.

Also, the Age of Empires franchise died after the second installment.

Also, the Age of Empires franchise died after the second installment.

Agreed.

But really it's only a gaming company, and it's only released Halo as it's main production, so is it a great loss anyway? :lol:

Oh well, hopefully the new company works out well for us.

Also, the Age of Empires franchise died after the second installment.

 

Agreed.

 

 

 

But really it's only a gaming company, and it's only released Halo as it's main production, so is it a great loss anyway? :lol:

 

 

 

Oh well, hopefully the new company works out well for us.

It never released Halo. That is Bungie. They are releasing Halo Wars.

Heh, dissolving a company just to give MGS some good employees. That is really a joke to me.

It's only been a matter of time since AoE2 was released. It's Electronic Arts and Westwood all over again basically.

Ah man, AoE 1 and 2 were great. 3 was a failure, and Halo Wars isn't out yet. Dang.

Thats Shocking, they were a really good company and made the best RTS games that i've seen.

OK, AOE3 wasn't great, but up until then (AOE 1, 2 and Age of Mythology) they were great.

Real shame.

It's always sad to see a game company shutting down that you played their games as a kid. Well looks like no AoE 4 or 5, oh well there's always Empire total war to look forward to.