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Xbox Game Studios

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Microsoft Game Studios
Product typeDivision of Microsoft
OwnerMicrosoft
CountryUnited States
Introduced2002
Related brandsGames for Windows, Xbox
MarketsWorldwide
Websitehttp://www.microsoft.com/games/

Microsoft Game Studios is a brand owned by Microsoft and introduced in 2002 to represent the company as a video game publisher, coinciding with the launch of the Xbox. Games published by Microsoft under the MGS label are typically released for the Windows and/or Xbox (360) platforms exclusively, regardless of whether the developer is a first or third party.

History

Microsoft Game Studios have acquired and lost many game development houses since its inception.

In September 2002, MGS acquired Rare Ltd. from Nintendo and the Stamper brothers (Chris and Tim), who owned 49% and 51% of the company respectively in what is believed to be one of the most expensive purchases of a video games development company yet, at a cost of around USD375 million.[1] This also meant Microsoft acquired the rights to Rare’s own original IPs such as the Banjo-Kazooie, Conker and Perfect Dark franchises.

In April 2006, MGS announced that they had purchased Lionhead Studios for an undisclosed sum. This has allowed them to further bolster the range of exclusive titles for their Xbox platforms, notably with the Fable video game series.[2] The following month, MGS also acquired Massive Incorporated, an in-game advertising company to provide additional revenues from their gaming platforms such as PCs and the Xbox 360.[3]

In May 2007, Microsoft announced it would be opening a European office of MGS in Reading in the United Kingdom (the present location of Microsoft's General UK offices). This office will be headed by Phil Spencer, who was General Manager for the games division before the announcement.[4]

In September 2007 Microsoft disbanded FASA Studio best known for their MechWarrior series.

In October 2007, Bungie announced that it had split with Microsoft and become a privately held independent company.

In March 2008 Microsoft disbanded their casual games studio - Carbonated Games.

In May 2008, Microsoft announced the formation of a newly created internal games studio to create "high quality digital content" for Xbox Live Arcade.[5]

In January 2009, Microsoft closed both Ensemble Studios and ACES Game Studio due to a process of ongoing job cuts due to financial crisis and restructuring of their game studios.

Studios

In-house

Third-party partners

Former third-party partners

Former in-house

Other

Owned franchises and properties

Games released by Microsoft

This list of games is sorted by platform and includes games published by Microsoft. For those games not developed under the Microsoft name, the developer is noted after the game's release date.

MS-DOS/Windows

Xbox

Xbox 360

Xbox Live Arcade

See also

References

  1. ^ Microsoft Acquires Video Game Powerhouse Rare Ltd.: Developers of Such Worldwide Hits as "Donkey Kong 64," "Banjo-Kazooie," "GoldenEye 007" And "Perfect Dark" Bring Their Tale...
  2. ^ Microsoft Game Studios Acquires Video Game Luminary Peter Molyneux’s Lionhead Studios: Lionhead’s hit franchise “Fable” surpasses 2 million unit sales milestone
  3. ^ Microsoft to Acquire In-Game Advertising Pioneer Massive Inc.: Massive’s technology for weaving dynamic, relevant ads into video games will extend next-generation advertising ...
  4. ^ Gamasutra - New Microsoft Game Studios Office For Europe
  5. ^ Joe Keiser (2008-05-22). "Exclusive Interview: MS to Delist XBLA Titles". Next-Gen.biz. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
  6. ^ IndustryGamers- Halo Anime to be overseen by 343 Industries
  7. ^ Firebird Studios: Dedicated Graphics Department for Xbox 360?
  8. ^ http://www.gamersdailynews.com/company-Good%20Science%20Studio.html
  9. ^ Microsoft Makes Big Cuts At Flight Sim Studio
  10. ^ Microsoft Confirms Aces Closure
  11. ^ Microsoft closes Aces Game Studio
  12. ^ Microsoft E3 Announces Codename: Kingdoms

Template:Video game companies of the United States

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