Xbox Game Studios
Product type | Division of Microsoft |
---|---|
Owner | Microsoft |
Country | United States |
Introduced | 2002 |
Related brands | Games for Windows, Xbox |
Markets | Worldwide |
Website | http://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.
Microsoft has also opened up MGS Mobile Gaming a new Studio focused on bringing games and entertainment to the mobile life that people lead.[6]
Software Development Studios
Owned franchises and properties
Games released by Microsoft
This list (which may have dates, numbers, etc.) may be better in a sortable table format. (September 2009) |
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
- 1990
- 1994
- 1995
- 1996
- 1997
- 1998
- 1999
- 2000
- 2001
- 2002
- Age of Mythology
- Rallisport Challenge
- Combat Flight Simulator 3: Battle for Europe
- Dungeon Siege (Gas Powered Games)
- Links 2003
- MechWarrior 4: Clan Mech Pak
- MechWarrior 4: Inner Sphere Mech Pack
- MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries
- Asheron's Call 2
- MechCollection
- Zoo Tycoon: Dinosaur Digs
- Zoo Tycoon: Marine Mania
- 2003
- Rise of Nations
- Age of Mythology: The Titans
- Dungeon Siege: Legends of Aranna (Gas Powered Games)
- Freelancer
- Halo: Combat Evolved
- Impossible Creatures
- Kings & Myths: The Age Collection
- Links 2003: Championship Courses
- Links Championship Edition
- Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight
- Zoo Tycoon: Complete Collection
- 2004
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
Xbox
- 2001
- 2002
- 2003
- Amped 2
- Brute Force
- Counter-Strike
- Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge
- Grabbed by the Ghoulies
- Inside Pitch 2003
- Kung Fu Chaos
- Links 2004
- Midtown Madness 3
- NBA Inside Drive 2004
- NFL Fever 2004
- NHL Rivals 2004
- Project Gotham Racing 2
- Tao Feng: Fist of the Lotus
- Top Spin
- Voodoo Vince
- Xbox Music Mixer
- Magatama (Japan Only)
- N.U.D.E.@ Natural Ultimate Digital Experiment (Japan Only)
- The Wild Rings (Japan Only)
- 2004
- 2005
Xbox 360
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
- Announced for 2010
- Announced for 2011
- Gears of War 3
- Forza with Kinect (working title)'
- Release date unknown
Xbox Live Arcade
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
- Announced for 2010
See also
- List of video games published by Nintendo
- List of video games published by Sony Computer Entertainment
References
- ^ 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...
- ^ Microsoft Game Studios Acquires Video Game Luminary Peter Molyneux’s Lionhead Studios: Lionhead’s hit franchise “Fable” surpasses 2 million unit sales milestone
- ^ 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 ...
- ^ Gamasutra - New Microsoft Game Studios Office For Europe
- ^ Joe Keiser (2008-05-22). "Exclusive Interview: MS to Delist XBLA Titles". Next-Gen.biz. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
- ^ "Microsoft sets up MGS Mobile Gaming Studio". 1800PocketPC. 11 August 2010.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ IndustryGamers- Halo Anime to be overseen by 343 Industries
- ^ Firebird Studios: Dedicated Graphics Department for Xbox 360?
- ^ http://www.gamersdailynews.com/company-Good%20Science%20Studio.html
- ^ http://dualshockers.com/2010/08/13/microsoft-expanding-for-mobile-game-studio/
- ^ Microsoft Makes Big Cuts At Flight Sim Studio
- ^ Microsoft Confirms Aces Closure
- ^ Microsoft closes Aces Game Studio
- ^ Microsoft E3 Announces Codename: Kingdoms