Microsoft Game Studios (MGS), branded with current logo and moniker in 2002 (formerly the Microsoft Game Division or Microsoft Games), is a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft Corp. which develops and publishes video games for Windows-based PCs and the Xbox and Xbox 360 video game consoles. MGS publishes games for several Microsoft-owned first-party developers, such as Lionhead Studios and Rare Ltd.. MGS has also published games created by third-party developers, such as Bioware and Bizarre Creations as of October 2007.
Acquisitions and announcements
Microsoft Game Studios had acquired many game development houses such as Bungie Studios in 2001, giving MGS full control of Bungie and shifting the development of Bungie’s game Halo: Combat Evolved to its Xbox platform.[1]
In August 2002, MGS acquired Rare 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 USD 375 million.[2] This also meant Microsoft acquired the rights to Rare’s own original IP’s such as the Perfect Dark, Banjo-Kazooie and the loveable Conker the Squirrel franchises.
An announcement on April 6th 2006 brought news that Microsoft Game studios had purchased Lionhead Studios for an undisclosed sum, to further bolster the range of exclusive titles it could provide for the Xbox 360 platform.[3]
During May 2006 Microsoft also acquired Massive Inc, an in-game advertising company to provide additional revenues from their gaming platforms such as PCs and the Xbox 360.[4]
On May 4th 2007 Microsoft announced it would be opening a European office of Microsoft Game Studios 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.[5]
In May 2008, Microsoft announced the formation of a newly created internal games studio to create "high quality digital content" for Xbox Live Arcade.[6]
In-house studios
- ACES Game Studio: Flight Simulator series, Combat Flight Simulator series and the upcoming Train Simulator 2
- Carbonated Games: Hexic, 7 Hand Poker, UNO, Aegis Wing
- Ensemble: Age of Empires series, Age of Mythology series, Halo Wars
- Hired Gun: Halo 2 for Windows Vista
- Lionhead: Black & White series, The Movies, Fable series
- Rare: Perfect Dark series, Kameo, Conker series, Banjo series, Viva Piñata
- Turn 10: Forza Motorsport series
- Wingnut Interactive: A new studio set up in conjunction with Peter Jackson (they will be producing alongside with Bungie Studios a new game based in the Halo universe)
- Massive Inc.: A studio primarily set up for in game advertising.
Former studios
Games released under the MGS brand
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.
PC
- 1994
- 1995
- 1996
- 1997
- 1998
- 1999
- 2000
- 2001
- 2002
- 2003
- 2004
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- Announced for 2008
- Announced for 2009
- Release Date Unknown
- Cancelled
Xbox
- 2001
- 2002
- 2003
- 2004
- 2005
- Cancelled
Xbox/Xbox 360
Xbox 360
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- Announced for 2008
- Announced for 2009
- Release Date Unknown
- Cancelled
Xbox Live Arcade
- 2005
- 2006
- 2007
- 2008
- Announced for 2008
- Announced for 2009
See also
References
External links
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