Ensemble Studios being closed down.

[implodingMan]

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6197465.html?part=rss&tag=gs_news&subj=6197465

From microsoft: "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."

I remember playing the first AOE game so many years ago, it was so much fun. I've owned and loved every AOE game since then, and now there will never be another. To quothe Professor Farnsworth, "I'm sad now...."

edit: Never mind, looks like they say they will continue to suppport Halo wars post-launch. That probably means patching and such, but no new content.

 

[meatloaf231]

Well, so much for that. Hopefully Halo Wars will be their grand finale instead of their last gasp.

 

[Rooster Cogburn]

This is the gravest possible news. The Age of Empires games are my favorite of all time. May they rest in peace.

I am hopeful for the new studio, and will be watching them closely.

 

[Aries_Split]

.

A little part of me just died. Here's hoping Halo Wars leaves something good to remember about them. I'm more concerned with the number of people that just lost their jobs.

 

[Rooster Cogburn]

If Halo Wars is less than stellar, it won't tarnish my memory of Ensemble Studios. It's totally on the opposite side the RTS game spectrum from Age of Empires. Hope it's great though.

 

[Goon165]

*Sigh*

well we still have Relic to depend on for awesome RTS Games right?

 

[erasmusv]

This makes me kinda sad, I have been a fan of AoE since the the the first game and was really looking forward to IV and V

 

[Credge]

Welp, looks like I'll be done with RTS games after SC2 and RA3.

Sad day when the creators of my favorite line of games goes away.

 

[Meshakhad_v1legacy]

This is grave news. I have always loved the AOE franchise. I hope Microsoft doesn't abandon it.