I think it's safe to say, Microsoft would rather pay for DLC for multiplatform games and to get games as timed exclusives than actually develop anything.

.....MS FTL.

@ the users below

waahhhhhhhhhhhh.

@thechokeartistofMA

I edited it because your bleeding tampon was soaking through my screen. I was going to wash my car later on, but your tears did the job for me. Make sure you slap your parents for me for not having you aborted when they had the chance.

DERRRRRRRRRRRR!

Not only dissolving them but disclaiming their reputation? This is one of my favorite developers.

fvcks up my eyes. I'm seeing lines???

I'm starting to doubt they'll even make a new console. I don't see how any company can just be fine with having no internal studios at all.

did anyone read the post? No this is N4G headlines are only read here. I wonder what happened to this studio.

I feel bad for everyone that lost their job :(

I hope they find great jobs in the industry elsewhere, they were a talented team.

Man, I really dont get M$.

They're going to solve their 1st party problems by firing devs?

Snap em up Sony, show these talents guys how a good publisher nutures something with promise into something even better. Why do you think devs want to be under Sonys umbrella?

wow confirmed? i hoped it was just a rumor =\ i'm gonna miss my age of empires ='(

but seriously, what's up with ms? now they only have 6 studios and lost 7. what gives?

edit: yeah, it might be just that. i seriously hope all the main ensemble guys go together someplace else or stay there or whatever, i still want more age of empires.

I loved ensemble.

I definitely don't support Microsoft in this decision, though I'm glad that Halo Wars will get supported.

did anyone even read the article? They are closing the studio and the main team members are making a new studio and will continue to support halo wars and make New games. This has nothing to do with a future xbox so anyone questioning weather of not a new box is coming out in the future should edit their comments because there will be another xbox.This is just dropping a dead studio with some crap devs in it and taking the best of that bunch and forming a new studio.

As for MS not deving games what games is sony deving? Arent they just buying the studios or just paying "funding" these devs who had some good ideas for ips Killzone,LBP,MS,Resistance? Nintendo,MS,Sony,Sega are all the same ,well sega is crap now.They were a great company but just make garbage its amazing how the beautiful dreamcast killed the company.

but i think Microsoft must change their business plan..

just look at google(77% growth from 2007 to 08) or apple(55% in same period) .. micorsoft(-24% !)

apple change its business plan(using intel chips,supporting other os for their laptops,new producs with FULL of innovation) .. I hate apple 3 years ago but I love it right now..

after Vista I think people wont trust MS products like before..

faulty hardware,50$ for online gaming,paying for every feature you want(extra space,HD DVD add on,WiFi...etc) ..

its not fair.. they have better sales just because of 1 year earlier release and semi-PC hardware. the only thing that will change MS is COMPETITION ..

MS wont make sth like bullsh!t vista if they have competitor..

and now they losing all of their first party studio s , it means 360 users BEWARE .. MS support wont last for 10 YEARS .

EDIT: sorry for off-topic comment.. but at least say your reason when clicking on disagree.. thx

hahahahaha

Since MS doesn't have to fund a studio's development of a true exclusive now they have more money to buy exclusive DLC for 3rd party games :)

First their exclusive games Flop,now their Studios are Flopping

That sucks but Ensemble will live on since in the post it said the leadership team are going to create a new studio and they are making a deal to work on Halo Wars after launch.

It sucks to see Ensemble go since they were a great studio and I hope under their new studio they have the same kind of success.

Naughty Dog Employees have nothing to worry about

But most likely going to be working on DLC for Halo wars, and other games.

ummm the champagne is ready to flow,bring your glasses to the front!

Digging 4 Gold on a Mountainside

Microsoft continues to lose first party studios
Sony continues to acquire first part studios

That sucks. I really like Ensemble. They've made some of the best RTS games available on the PC.

The Getaway and Eight Days cancelled

Sony has announced that these games have been canceled after almost 3 years of (slow) production.

http://www.playstatic.com/n...

That really sucks T_T

"the leadership team" will form a new development house... yeah, funny how people seem to miss that little detail. Some leave, while others form another new development house for Microsoft.

what is a studio without the people that work in them...

"Though Microsoft will close the studio, Ensemble brass plan to soldier on. As part of today's statement, the studio said that "the leadership team" will form a new development house, and has already entered into an agreement with Microsoft to continue supporting Halo Wars post-launch, "as well as work on other projects with Microsoft Game Studios."

time has change and just because someone owns a company it does not mean that the talent will stay...

I think it does not matter if people working microsoft want to be more independent and make their own studios and ventures... Microsoft does not benefit from owning studios when the talent can quit... So, it benefit microsoft more to make better relationships with studios and keep them making games...

I mean seriously... how bad it was that bungie became independent? aren't they still supporting the xbox 360?

besides what are you anti-microsoft b!tch!ng about? isn't this your dream situlation where microsoft loses studios and the xbox 360 stop getting games? so why are you acting as if this is a disaster? shouldn't you be happy?

time has change there is no point of having 1000 studios spending money and resources all over the place... it's better to consolidate them and have teams support each other specially when they are own by 1 company...

and no... the talent will not disappear.. it will be allocated and a new studio will be formed... learn how to read fools.

Microsoft are Officially Losing the Console War

I dunno why, but I feel that if the main members of the Ensemble Studios team shipped out and made a new 'studio', what would they call it? I personally think they should keep the name Ensemble Studios, the name has a solid rep in the area of RTS and Microsoft is going to have to help them get out good games after the change, to rebuild the reputation. I just hope to see another Age of Mythology in the near future.

Wow...just wow.
Things are falling apart for MS. :/

Microsoft are Officially Losing the Console War

Who or what the hell is Ensemble Studio?

*looks through all Xbox and Xbox 360 game library*

There wasn't much support there anyway...Next.

It's now confirmed the 360 has officially lost.
So what games do they have left now?
-Alan Wake (Delayed to late 2009)
-Splinter Cell Conviction (Went back to the drawing board.)
-Ninja Blade (No confirmed date.)
-Halo Wars (Confirmed by this article to be cancelled.)
-Halo 4 (Unknown)
-The Last Remant (Timed Exclusive)
-Star Ocean 4 (No confirmed release date.)
-FFXIII (Doesn't come out on the 360 until 2010. Not to mention it's exclusive to the PS3 in Japan along w/ the bundle & demo exclusive to PS3.)
Come on now there's nothing left.

PS3 is growing so fast and now 360 has nothing to comeback them now.

360's reign of power in this console war has come to an end.

R.I.P
Xbox 360

Making AOE,AOM as they are some of the best RTS out there. I seriously don't get MS. They are willing to spend 50 million on DLC alone and yet they said they is money issues why they aren't keeping them.

Now thats a damn shame. that is dumb.

The biggest reason I owned a 360 for! I loved Age of Empires 1, 2 and 3 and also Age of Mythologies. IMHO they are some of the best RTS devs, up there with Blizzard.

The only Halo game I was looking forward to play was this one. Ugh, so now that Bizarre, Bungie, Bioware and Ensemble Studios won't be with Microsoft, it's only Gearbox (are they even MS exclusive?), Lionhead, Rare, Mistwalker and that barely recruited Canadian studio. That is still too little compared to Nintendo and Sony.

Edit:

Above: MicroJEW? Reported as offensive

Noooooooooooo!!!!
The biggest reason I owned a 360 for! I loved Age of Empires 1, 2 and 3 and also Age of Mythologies. IMHO they are some of the best RTS devs, up there with Blizzard.

The only Halo game I was looking forward to play was this one. Ugh, so now that Bizarre, Bungie, Bioware and Ensemble Studios won't be with Microsoft, it's only Gearbox (are they even MS exclusive?), Lionhead, Rare, Mistwalker and that barely recruited Canadian studio. That is still too little compared to Nintendo and Sony.

They only own 4 studios, and chopping that down to 3 studios is just ridiculous. They let Bungie and Bizzare slip out of their hands, failed to secure Bioware, and shut down 3 other studios (make that 4 now).

Is Microsoft Game Studios being run by a bunch of retards? Or are they seriously considering not having any 1st party exclusives to speak of?

Poor droids

NO!!!!!!!!!!!

I loved Ensemble Studios :(

This is a sad day for gamers and RTS fans T.T

Looks like yet another of the Golden Age RTS Kings has passed away T.T

Capcom? Square? Konami? Namco? Rockstar? Please no. My inner holy big creature died when Microsoft bought Lionhead since I thought their games were well suited for the Wii and DS and Molyneux actually wanted to develop for those two.

Well, they can have Tecmo. I wouldn't hate them that much if they do. Afterwards they should re-hire Itagaki so he can keeps trashtalking like a 10 year old.

I think microsoft should keep recruiting small indies instead. It would be cheaper, fresh, new, and original IP and all gamers would win. If they do the contrary, gamers will lose.

I WILL SAY IT ONCE MORE, Microsoft is planning to leave the console industry. Think of internal studios like divisions inside a gaming company. Any company for that matter that see's that much downsizing going would have present employees headed for the door aswell.

SOmething struck a nerve in me with the way Peter Moore suddenly up and left at the height of the console war. HE obviously saw the writing on the wall much sooner than most at MS.

AS far as the xbot idiots on here who do nothing but hate on Sony and the Ps3, I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE DAY THAT THE 360 FOLDS SO I CAN RUB YOUR STUPID SNOUTS IN IT.

as for normal kids out there who just want to enjoy their 360, those are the ones I truly feel sorry for.

Now why would they do that when Sony has been trumpeting its first party exclusives all along to the public.

I have a hunch Microsoft is going to take over a major Third party publisher that has a good number of Studios. EA / Activision would be a bit too big for them to take over. My bet is probably Ubi or Take2.

Or they seriously are not intent on competing 'next' gen time around.

Nothing else makes sense!!

Microsoft are Officially Losing the Console War

I was scared until I read the article. Ensemble is an awesome studio and should be kept alive. Though just because the leaders will be moved doesn't necessarily mean their new games will be as good...

What the is M$ doing? They are just using people now this is ridiculous. Seriously some loyalty and devotion to your devs M$ goes a long way. I've never seen a company give up on 1st and 2nd party devs like M$. Unbelievable!!!!!!!!!

what's worse, a mandatory install for the PS3 version of Bioshock?

or an ENTIRE STUDIO being shut down, with members being assimilated into another studio?

i don't know what game Microsoft is playing at, but if a company is serious about expanding into the gaming market in force, i'd think that INCREASING their internal dev studios would be the order of the day.

the biggest problem the Playstation had way back when was lack of strong first party titles that could rival Nintendo and Sega's offering. Sony was relying too much on third party devs like Squaresoft and Konami.

HOWEVER, with their second console, the PS2, Sony seriously bumped up their first party devs, and struck deals with second party devs like Insomniac and Naughty Dog (they eventually bought Naughty Dog). and while Insomniac and Sucker Punch are free to make games for whomever they please, the FRANCHISES that those studios create are owned by Sony. so Jak, Ratchet, Sly, inFamous, Resistance, Uncharted, etc, can continue even if Insomniac and Sucker Punch decide to say goodbye.

where i think MS is erring, is in their insistence on simply hording a franchise for a timed exclusive, then letting the sequels go where they please. Microsoft should have BOUGHT the IPs of Bioshock, Mass Effect, and Gears of War, because those three franchises DEFINED the Xbox 360 for it's first two years on the market, much like how Halo defined the original Xbox last generation.

the Halo franchise can't do it all, and with it almost a guarantee that Mass Effect will come to the PS3 in the same way that Bioshock now has, Microsoft doesn't need to CLOSE studios, they need to take some of that money they spent seducing Rockstar for GTAIV DLC, and Square-Enix for a FFXIII 360 release, and apply that to establishing ALL NEW studios that can work on true EXCLUSIVE GAMES for the 360, not add on content to games that, with time, will only have their userbases DIMINISH as newer and better games come out.

hell, what if Saint's Row 2 happens to be BETTER than GTAIV in every way possible like they claim? how many people will want to step back into Liberty City if that happens?

i own a Playstation 3 and an Xbox 360. i don't WANT them to constantly keep getting the same games. i WANT them to have their own identities and feels. multi-platform games i pick up on my PS3. why? various reasons, but mainly, i prefer the PS3 controller, and if the game has an online mode, i don't have to pay to play it.

it's games like Fable 2, Star Ocean, Tales of Vesperia, Alan Wake, etc, that get me pumped about the 360, not "hey kids, FFXIII is ALSO coming to the 360!"

now, if it was "hey kids, FFXIII is ALSO coming to the 360, but we have a bunch of exclusive first and second party titles in the works too!" i wouldn't be concerned.

but when all i see is a "me too," approach from MS, i'm not a happy camper. i don't WANT Sony to run rampant across the industry like they did for two gens in a row. as evidenced by 2005 and early 2006, their ego cannot go unchecked for long. they NEED the competition that Microsoft can bring, but unfortunately, Sony is going to MOP THE FLOOR with MS in terms of first and second party exclusive content.

i wont, but i could list the number of exclusives ONLY coming from MS and Sony's first and second party dev studios, and it's laughably one-sided.

multi-platforms are fine and dandy, and people will get them on the consoles they prefer, whether 360 or PS3, but a console's identity in the eyes of the consumer is defined by what is only available on that console. so far, all i see are derivative titles based on Nintendo and Sony franchises, and lots of cool 3rd party games (ie, Gears of War, Mass Effect, Ninja Gaiden), that Microsoft got into bed with by waving their checkbook around.

i think MS has been the best competition Sony has faced, period. but i don't know what they're doing with closing down studios, and letting talented devs like Bungie go independent.

what games are 360 fans excited about that AREN'T third party developed? i'm surprised at how many first and second party PS3 titles i'm pumped about. games that will ONLY be available on the PS3 because Sony owns those IPs.

outside of Fable 2 and Banjo, there isn't much on my 360 first party list that makes me bat an eye. everything else i'm interested in (Alan Wake, Infinite Undiscovery, Star Ocean, Tales of Vesperia, Gears of War 2, Mass Effect 2, etc), are all developed, and OWNED by third parties, meaning, depending on how things play out in this next year concerning momentum of the consoles (ie, PS3 has gained SIGNIFICANT momentum, while the 360 is kind of plateauing), those franchises could easily jump to the PS3.

like i said before, the closing/assimilation of a game developer is more distressing to me than having to cough up 5gigs of my HDD to play Bioshock on the PS3.

This is insane!

If Microsoft doesn't come out with another system then it would be back to Sony and Nintendo.

But with all the IP's they own I would imagine that they will have another console, or they will just become a PC exclusive.

a bunch of baboons in here trying to make a case..

arent they suppose to be acquiring/making studios instead of breaking them apart? At this stage in Sony's development Sony was out getting first party and 2nd party studios to develop their games. The Future looks very dim for MS xbox what studio besisde MGS does MS own? How they even plan to release a new console with only 1 studio to ship or make a new game.

After the Bungie thing, I think Microsoft got scared a little bit.

So, these smaller companies they have contracts with...they are ending...and taking on the best developers from each studio to make exclusives for the 360. Not a bad plan, eh?

Well...except for the jobless problem.

And another one gone
And another one gone
And another one bites the dust

Bungie/Bizarre/Bioware/Rare(d ead to everyone with taste)

Welcome, Ensemble, to developing for other consoles.

AND EVERYONE KNOWS THAT BY NOW.

but microsoft will lose lionhead as well but make an exclusive contract with them too.same with rare.after their games ship,they will let them go.microsoft's new thing is to tie up devs to continue to work for them but leave them to be independent.

but microsoft could go the route of one thing next gen:MERGE WITH EA.

they could lose everyone else,but having EA as their sole ally could sway a lot of companies one way next gen.microsoft would still allow multiplatform development(the EA side) accept for a sony system.that would effectively shut out sony.

EA has the brand,the money,the music,the investors,etc. even if we HATE them alot.

and if EA aquires take two and gets rockstar,that's just another exclusive dev with icing on the cake.

nor only would it make MGS-EA the largest game company in the world,but the biggest to publish other smaller devs work when next gen games get even more expensive.and we know EA's thoughts are to beat ubisoft,activision and any other large upcoming threat.

but we'll see....but i still don't like microsoft or EA.shame another dev bites the dust somewhat though.

apocalypse.......

Man this sucks I love Ensemble studios, I actually shouted "NOOO", ;_;

I can slightly understand why they allowed Bungie to jump and be able to develop for whoever they wanted. If I look at PC game sales I can even in some crazy way understand why you allow Ensemble to go away. Though I just don't want to believe it. It's not like they were slowly slipping away from the success of Age of Empires. They were improving on a formula, making it more advanced yet familiar.

I would compare it to mathematics, first you learn addition and subtraction, next comes multiplication and division, and after that exponents. Everything though was built upon what came before, and with this company they didn't try to go back and change what a few numbers meant, (kind of like Halo did). So every new installation of their series felt like playing a slightly different game yet with a new team.

Hopefully they are all on to creating true games, for gamers. (Not cheap cash machines that any moron can create, and yes I am looking at you Yaris for xbox arcade!)

I'm not sure how MS plans to reinvest/reallocate but closing a studio of this calibur is difficult for everyone.

Some things to consider for Xbox 720, if there is one.

1. First Party support is critical. Bungie is now independent. Ensemble is closing. RARE has been underutilized. More $$ (it seams) has been spent on securing third party timed / full exclusives. That move is not a good long-term business plan!

2. Hardware costs are rising for entry units. I can't see MS doing it alone on the hardware front. They need a partner. I've heard rumors of Samsung getting into the mix or maybe Toshiba. If MS can not secure a partner, I can't see the 720 coming

3. Split strategy. With Microsoft trying to tap into the casual market ... how can they balance the core appetite with these studios closing? I haven't seen much in terms of gaming for 2009. Where is Alan Wake? Will Halo Wars be rushed to market with Ensemble closing? A Bungie-less Halo? Gears of War 3 on PS3 as well ... I can go on and on.

With MS does have Alan Wake, Halo Wars and Ninja Blade for 2009 thats just 3 exclusives for the 360. Then you got Splinter Cell which is TBA though I'm guessing 2009/2010 release and maybe they have got some other games left.

Whyyy!? You idiots!

you all are living a lie with the ps3. it will not live to see its 10th year like the ps2, it's days are numbered. so what it has blucrap!, and sorry azz online and half ass home beta crap. xbox360 with the Relaunch(end of sept) will rain all over ps3 again this holiday season, ps3 has power but no brains. dont blame the developers for orange box sucking ass on ps3, blame SONY!!!!!. yea microsoft is money hungery(gamers pics, themes) but you know what???? they know how to get things done, not half azzing it to death. DEATH TO ALL PLAYSTATION 3 POTBOTS!!!

all xbots must rise.... RISEEEEEE!!!. take your place as number 1!. for we are XBOTS!

Funnier thing would be them CANCELING the game!!

Then throw a money to get a studio (Rare).

forget
1) Bond series is owned by EA so NO Goldeneye, plus the top talent is gone
2) Donkey Kong is owned by Nintendo So no DK
3) Perfect Dark Sequel: let's make one 10 years later when half the team has moved on.

I see the cycle repeating. Talented people leaving making their own stuff then letting MS pay for ancient relics left on the wall as trophies.

Bungie got out and was then slapped on wrist at E3, told by the man they cannot show their new project to anyone. How long do you think this tyranny will work?

Rockstar took them to the bank for 50 large and are now sipping champagne on a cruise off the coast of Ireland all expense paid for by MS in return for vaporware dlc yet to be released in the distant future.

MS doesn't need to consolidate studios but reshuffle the people heading their gaming division. Peter Moore cannot be the scapegoat anymore he is at EA now. Somebody needs to get a memo from the head office.

Do the people here actually read the friggen articles?

No one reads the articles besides certain people and people who aren't dumb fanboy's.

That sucks that there closing down hopefully Halo Wars does good give them one last good game.

They were that happy with Halo Wars, eh?

That's encouraging.

that to sad for Microsoft

why would they do that why the have only for left this is crazy but ohh well.

goo sony

There’s 10?

Who puts infinite above CE? CE was revolutionary when it came out and STILL plays well today. The level design is great (even if there’s too many repeating hallways but that’s a product of the time), excellent AI and not to mention, it has the most balanced legendary setting out of the entire series. They got it right the first time.