It has been confirmed that Microsoft is closing down Ensemble Studios, the developer behind the upcoming Halo Wars game, an RTS based in the Halo universe and set as a prequel to the first Halo games.
The confirmation came to Gamespot from the owner of Ensemble Studios who acknowledged that Microsoft has chosen to close down the company for financial reasons, but that Microsoft would keep the studio open until work on the current title was complete and Halo Wars could launch.
In a statement to the press, Microsoft said that the closure "does not reflect at all on Ensemble’s talent or the quality of Halo Wars," adding that Ensemble Studios has made "invaluable contributions to the games industry with their Age of Empires and Age of Mythology games."
Microsoft too admitted that the closure was purely motivated by financial concerns.
The good news though is that a 'leadership team' from the studio will branch off and form an entirely new developer which will continue to offer support to Halo Wars after it has launched. The same group will also work on unspecified future titles.
Microsoft has pledged that it is "working to place as many Ensemble employees who do not move to the newly formed studio into open positions within Microsoft as possible."
Have you ever been let go? Are you looking forward to Halo Wars? Let us know in the forums.
The confirmation came to Gamespot from the owner of Ensemble Studios who acknowledged that Microsoft has chosen to close down the company for financial reasons, but that Microsoft would keep the studio open until work on the current title was complete and Halo Wars could launch.
In a statement to the press, Microsoft said that the closure "does not reflect at all on Ensemble’s talent or the quality of Halo Wars," adding that Ensemble Studios has made "invaluable contributions to the games industry with their Age of Empires and Age of Mythology games."
Microsoft too admitted that the closure was purely motivated by financial concerns.
The good news though is that a 'leadership team' from the studio will branch off and form an entirely new developer which will continue to offer support to Halo Wars after it has launched. The same group will also work on unspecified future titles.
Microsoft has pledged that it is "working to place as many Ensemble employees who do not move to the newly formed studio into open positions within Microsoft as possible."
Have you ever been let go? Are you looking forward to Halo Wars? Let us know in the forums.
RELATED ARTICLES
MSI MPG Velox 100R Chassis Review
October 14 2021 | 15:04
Want to comment? Please log in.