Microsoft Game Studios

By Mike Fahey Debuted during the SPIKE TV Video Game Awards on Dec. 14, where “Gears of War 2” took home the Best Shooter and Best Xbox 360 Game awards, Microsoft Game Studios and Epic Games unveiled exclusive footage from the Combustible Map Pack with Marisa Miller (Sports Illustrated’s 2008 Swimsuit...

By Mike Fahey If there's one thing gamers love more than games themselves, it's awesome game-related merchandise. That's why Women in Games International is happy to announce their 2008 celebrity auction, a collection of over 100 items generously donated by leaders in the video game industry - incl...

By Michael McWhertor Sense of Humor: Rare offers a massive dose of self-referential humor, poking fun at its commercial failures, its reputation for widget and doodad collecting marathons, and past Banjo Kazooie games. Stabs at the Xbox 360 console, the Frag Dolls and even Mario are peppered throughout, of...

By kotaku.com • Great Conversations with Microsoft Booth Babes: Viva Pinata • Great Conversations with Microsoft Booth Babes: The Halo Water Wheel • Xbox 360 Owns Football, or FIFA07 and PES6 to Sony Denied • GC06: The Wacky Words of Microsoft Game Studios' Chris Kimmel

By Mike Fahey New York – Nov. 6th, 2008 – Sumthing Else Music Works, Inc., through its licensing relationship with Microsoft Game Studios, proudly presents Fable II Original Soundtrack featuring the original music score by Russell Shaw and the “Fable Theme” from Danny Elfman. The original soundtrack...

By Brian Crecente Featuring original characters from the Halo video game, as well as new characters - including Kusunagi and The Prophet of Candor - the HaloÒ Interactive Strategy Game pulls fan-favorite elements from HaloÒ, Halo 2, and Halo 3 along with music from the video game’s award-winning soundt...

By Michael McWhertor Fable II was developed by Lionhead Studios, published by Microsoft Game Studios and released on Oct. 21 for Xbox 360. Retails for $59.99 USD. Completed single-player story, tested coop, and later revisited the game to play through with alternate choices.

By Luke Plunkett 15 for Portal? Portal: Still Alive was developed by Valve & We Create Stuff, published by Microsoft Game Studios. Released on Oct. 22 for Xbox Live Arcade. Retails for 1200 Microsoft Points (USD$15). Played bonus maps to completion.

By Michael McWhertor Lips' shunning of "punitive gaming," however, as Microsoft Game Studios' Chris Esaki calls it, may be its most interesting design choice. The full Lips soundtrack is as follows. Lips is planned to ship mid-November for the Xbox 360 at $69.99 USD, including two microphones.

By Brian Crecente Ryan Payton, former assistant producer on Metal Gear Solid 4, has signed on with Microsoft Game Studios to work on future Halo games, Microsoft Game Studios said today, confirming the rumor Kotaku broke last month. New Halo Helmed by MGS 4 Producer [Kotaku]

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By Brian Ashcraft About the Microsoft-owned Lionhead, Spencer says there are "no plans" for a Bungie or Ensemble-type reorganization with Microsoft Game Studios, adding "the next Lionhead game is definitely an MGS game". What about the game after that?

By Michael McWhertor According to job listings dug up by Gamasutra, Microsoft Game Studios has a new internal development studio — or at the very least, a newly renamed internal development studio. Spawnpoint Studios has put the job feelers out there in search of programming talent, wooing possible new hire...

By Michael McWhertor Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft Game Studios, tells GamesIndustry.biz that, in light of the massive success of the Halo franchise, Microsoft has decided not to completely scrap all development on the series. Instead, they're going to make more games set in the Halo universe. It's a plan th...

By Brian Crecente Rumor had it at the time that Yu and her husband, Kenneth Scott were both joining Microsoft Game Studios. Scott is an art director at id Software. We heard back from Microsoft and they hit us up with "Microsoft does not comment on rumors or speculation.” Which in Microsoft speak is almost tanta...

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By Luke Plunkett LONDON – 16th September 2008 - Imagine if friends and families had the ability to instantly watch movies and share pictures, live out their musical fantasies through “Lips” (iNiS Corp./Microsoft Game Studios) and “Rock Band” (Harmonix/MTV Games) and star in their own Hollywood classi...

By Michael McWhertor The owner of Ensemble Studios and publisher of the upcoming Halo Wars has confirmed that the developer will be closing down once work on the Xbox 360 title is complete. In a statement to GameSpot, Microsoft said that the closure of the Dallas-based studio "does not reflect at all on Ensembl...

By Michael McWhertor Microsoft Game Studios still has a handful of developers under its umbrella, including Lionhead Studios, Turn 10 Studios and Rare, all of whom are hard at work on Xbox 360-only titles. We've yet to receive comment from Microsoft on the situation at Ensemble Studios, but we'll update when...

By Mike Fahey by the "Halo" first person shooter games, "Halo Wars" allows players to command the armies of the UNSC during their initial encounters with the Covenant, including familiar units such as UNSC Marines, Scorpion Tanks and the iconic Warthog. It provides a fresh perspective on the war whil...

By Brian Ashcraft Yesterday, we broke that Gearbox Director of Technology Corrinne Yu has been hired by Microsoft Game Studios to be Principle Engine Architect for Microsoft's Halo Franchise Team. Microsoft has confirmed to Kotaku that Yu had in fact been hired by Microsoft. "As the Halo franchise contin...

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By Brian Ashcraft Earlier we posted that Gearbox Software (Brothers In Arms, Borderlands) was rumored to be working on Halo 4. With Bungie out of the picture, Gearbox does seem like a logical fit — the developer did do the PC version of Halo: Combat Evolved.

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By Brian Ashcraft Once again that Microsoft has "Never Say Die!" tattooed in neon green across its corporate chest, the company has announced it is sticking by Denis Dyack and Too Human. While the reviews have been mixed at best, Microsoft states: Too Human trilogy ‘very exciting’, says Microsoft [MCVUK]

By Brian Ashcraft Those Halo wheels are still turning. And from what a Gamasutra job announcement seems to hit at, Peter Jackson's Halo game is moving forward. The Microsoft Game Studios job listing is for "Creative Director - building a new Halo universe" and says this under responsibilities:

By Brian Ashcraft Microsoft Game Studios and Silicon Knights announced today that the blockbuster action RPG “Too Human” has gone gold and will be shipping to retailers throughout North America on August 19. In anticipation of the title’s release, gamers can jump into the first level of “Too Human” with a...

By Michael McWhertor The Halo Universe Comic-Con panels is getting underway, focusing on — as far as we know — Halo Wars and the Halo novels. The panel, a star-studded Halo cast includes: Graeme Devine of Ensemble Studios, Frank O'Connor of Microsoft Game Studios, Joseph Staten, author of Halo: Contact Harve...

By Adam Barenblat Halo, Halo, Halo! What's going on with the movie? What about Halo Wars? What about Peter Jackson? How bout the Halo no show at the big press conference. No real answers from head of Microsoft Game Studios Phil Spencer or newly minted corporate vice president of Strategy and Business Develo...

By Maggie Greene Not everyone's so ready to move from the sofa and fly across the country though. Chris Furniss, a 26-year-old Web site designer at Microsoft Game Studios in Redmond, Wash., feels $1,500 won't get him far. "Since flights anywhere are so expensive and I already live in Seattle, I'd go to PAX and...

By Michael McWhertor Did Ken Lobb, creative director at Microsoft Game Studios, just confirm motion control will be a factor in the newest Banjo Kazooie game? We're saying it's a "definite maybe." Others are saying yes, based on Lobb's comments in a Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts walk-through with develope...

By StephenTotilo And Also today, 16 titles join the Games for Windows portfolio, including “Call of Duty: World at War” (Activision), “Ghostbusters: The Videogame” (Sierra Entertainment), “Crysis: Warhead,” (EA Partners), and “Zoo Tycoon 2: Ultimate Collection” (Microsoft Game Studios).

By Leigh Alexander Delman starts in August, reporting to Don Mattrick, and will helm global marketing strategy for the Xbox and Games for Windows businesses, specifically Microsoft Games Studios titles, Xbox Live and platform growth. Delman to oversee worldwide marketing strategies for Xbox, Games fo...

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By Brian Crecente Kim, who headed up the studio for four years, will be replaced by Phil Spencer, who formerly headed up the Microsoft Game Studios in Europe. Microsoft has not yet found a replacement for Bell who is said to be leaving to "pursue other opportunities outside of Microsoft."

By Brian Crecente Ninja Gaiden II was developed by Team Ninja and published by Microsoft Game Studios. Retails for$60. Available on Xbox 360. Played to completion on easiest "Path Of The Acolyte" setting. Played first two chapters on "Path of the Warrior" setting. Saved one film.

By Luke Plunkett Microsoft Co. Ltd., NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc. and SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. announce shelf dates for Xbox 360 RPG franchises Microsoft announced that “Fable® 2,“ the highly-anticipated action RPG title from Microsoft Game Studios, is coming to Japan by the end of 2008. “Mass Effect™” will also be co...

By Luke Plunkett Ken Lobb, Xbox's GM creative and technical services, spoke with us a little on how Microsoft Game Studios get their games out the door and across the world. Their emphasis on simultaneous global releases - or "sim ships" - is a handy pointer for other publishers who can't seem to really get a...

By Michael McWhertor Shane Kim is ready to call the console war. Just as soon as someone sells another 90 million consoles, that is. In a recent interview with Wired's Game|Life, the Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Game Studios says that it's too early to declare a winner, despite colleague Don Mattrick c...

By Leigh Alexander Viva Piñata: Pocket Paradise is developed by Rare Ltd., one of the world's leading video game developers and masterminds behind some of the most popular video games in history, including multi-million-dollar sellers "GoldenEye", "Perfect Dark", "Banjo-Kazooie" and the "Donkey Kon...

By Mike Fahey Microsoft Game Studios is the home to many of the industry's biggest franchises and continues to set the bar for top-quality entertainment experiences for players of all types. Characters from the game universes of "Gears of War," "Fable," "Banjo-Kazooie," and "Viva Piñata" have enth...

By Leigh Alexander Information: Founded in 1985 and based in the United Kingdom, Rare Ltd. is one of the world's leading video game developers and has masterminded some of the most popular video games in history, including multi-million-dollar sellers "GoldenEye", "Perfect Dark", "Banjo-Kazooie" and...

By Michael McWhertor In an exclusive partnership with Microsoft Game Studios, Realtime Worlds launched its first title, Crackdown, on Xbox 360 in early 2007. The debut game broke records for demo downloads, sold approximately 1.4 million copies, and won multiple awards including prestigious BAFTA and Dev...

By Brian Crecente The gamer summit will begin with a presentation by Michael Capps, president of Epic Games, and Joshua Ortega, the scriptwriter behind Gears of War 2, discussing the origin of the Gears of War saga, its unprecedented success, and offering a glimpse into this year's upcoming Gears of War 2.

By Mike Fahey The rumors are true. Marvel Universe Online as gone the way of True Fantasy Live Online, another Microsoft MMO project killed before ever seeing the light of day. MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo spoke with Microsoft Game Studios' head Shane Kim, who confirmed the cancellation of the hig...

By Mike Fahey Multiplayer Game of the Year: World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade Role-Playing Game of the Year: Mass Effect Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios Developer: BioWare Producer: Casey Hudson Lead Designer: Preston Watamaniuk Art Director: Derek Watts

By McWhertor Kim responded to questions that the Xbox 360 line-up for 2008 appeared to bit thinner than that of 2007, "I think the pipeline is very stacked. You just don't know about it yet." The Microsoft exec was quiet on currently unannounced titles, but did point to a trio of top-tier games the publish...

By McWhertor The D.I.C.E. Summit 2008 key sponsors include: Bioware/Pandemic, Boesky & Company, Business Wire, Comcast, Day One Studios, Dell Computer, EA Sports, Electronic Arts, Enterprise Talent, GameRecruiter, Insomniac Games, Microsoft, Nintendo of America, Philips amBx, Sony Comput...

By Brian Crecente Top 10 Games of 2007: 1. BioShock 2. The Orange Box 3. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 4. Rock Band 5. Super Mario Galaxy 6. Halo 3 7. Mass Effect 8. God of War II 9. Assassin's Creed 10. Uncharted: Drake's Fortune Game of the Year breakdown by publisher: Microsoft Game Studios: 2

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By Brian Crecente • "Alone in the Dark" (Atari) • "Bionic Commando" (Capcom) • "Conflict: Denied Ops" (Eidos Interactive) • "Empire: Total War" (SEGA) • "LEGO Indiana Jones" (LucasArts) • "Microsoft Train Simulator 2" (Microsoft Game Studios) • "Sins of a Solar Empire" (Stardock)

By Mike Fahey To kick off the party, celebrities will have their music abilities tested, as Spike TV will feature the all-new platform designed for music fans and gamers, MTV Games' Rock Band on the red carpet. The red carpet will never be the same as celebrities will show off their video game prowess in f...

By Brian Crecente The playoffs will feature the top CGS teams from around the world as they compete in PC and console based games. Valve's Counter-Strike®: Source® and EA's FIFA 2007 are the official PC games for CGS while Tecmo's® Dead or Alive® 4 (DOA4) and Project Gotham Racing® 3 (PGR3) from Microsoft Ga...

By Michael McWhertor When EGM editor Shane Bettenhausen outlined the rumored doom of an unnamed Microsoft-published Xbox 360 title, the rumor mill went into overdrive. Fingers were pointed in the direction of Banjo Threeie, Fable 2, and Alan Wake, all of which were denied having been canceled. Ultimately, 1...

By Michael McWhertor How cozy is the Microsoft-Nintendo DS relationship? Just cozy enough, apparently, as Phil Spencer, general manager at Microsoft Game Studios, points to Nintendo's dual-screened portable as a training ground of sorts for its own service, Xbox Live Arcade. He tells Develop that having...

By Michael McWhertor Nothing has been shown of the massively multiplayer online game save a pre-rendered teaser trailer since it was announced in September of last year, but Microsoft Game Studios and developer Cryptic clearly had high hopes for MUO. According to 1UP's report, "serious, potentially stall...

By Mike Fahey Championship Gaming Series has announced details on their inaugural World Final, which is to take place December 6th through the 14th at Sony Studios in Los Angeles. Teams from across the globe will descend upon California during the week to compete in rounds of Counter-Strike Source, F...

By Brian Crecente You've seen the raw numbers, now read the Microsoft spin on them, Nintendo and Sony coming soon. There is no arguing that September was an amazing month for the Xbox 360 and Microsoft. The went from second to first place, pushed by the astounding sales of Halo 3. Here are some of their bullet poi...

By Michael McWhertor While at Nintendo's recent media event, MTV's Stephen Totilo approached me with an excited "Didja hear?" No, nobody tells me anything. "EA acquired Bioware-Pandemic," he said. Another developer added to the collective consciousness of the Electronic Arts mothersphere, another deve...

By Mike Fahey • "The Club" (SEGA) - The Club - no rating as yet • "Kane & Lynch: Dead Men" (Eidos) - 18 BBFC • "Universe at War: Earth Assault" (SEGA) - no rating as yet • "Gears of War" (Microsoft Game Studios) - 18 BBFC • "Viva Piñata" (Microsoft Game Studios) - 3+

By Brian Crecente Microsoft this morning confirmed part of the bundle rumor that's been ravaging the Internet for weeks: All Xbox 360s and Xbox 360 Elites will now come with free copies of Forza Motorsport 2 and Marvel Ultimate Alliance, a $90 value.

By Mike Fahey Developed by Bungie Studios, the "Halo" franchise is exclusive to the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system and optimized for the Xbox LIVE® online entertainment network. The more than 7 million Xbox LIVE users will get a continually evolving gaming experience with "Halo 3." Its o...

· "Project Gotham Racing 4" (Microsoft Game Studios/Bizarre Creations Ltd.). "Project Gotham Racing® 4" will redefine the acclaimed "PGR®" franchise by delivering a unique, exciting racing experience complete with dynamic weather and iconic cars and motorcycles. Available this Oct...

By Luke Plunkett What: "Halo 3" Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios Developer: Bungie Studios Format: DVD for the Xbox 360™ video game system; Xbox LIVE®-enabled Price: Legendary Edition $129.99 (estimated retail price (ERP)), Limited Edition $69.99 (ERP), Standard Edition $59.99 (ERP)

By Luke Plunkett Product Overview: "Mass Effect" is an epic science-fiction action and role-playing game (RPG) experience created by BioWare, the commercially and critically acclaimed RPG developer of "Jade Empire™" and "Star Wars®: Knights of the Old Republic™." "Mass Effect" will deliver an imme...

By Luke Plunkett Created from the ground up for the Xbox 360 console and Controller, "Halo Wars" is being developed by the veteran real-time strategy developer Ensemble Studios, the team responsible for the best-selling and critically acclaimed "Age of Empires®" franchise on the PC. "Halo Wars" can be...

By Brian Crecente Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for the Xbox® and Xbox 360 video game systems, the Windows® operating system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and div...

By Brian Crecente Robbie Bach tonight unveiled a new IPTV service for the Xbox 360 at the Microsoft keynote. Microsoft Unveils Wave of New Products and Services at CES Bill Gates and Robbie Bach hit play on new releases from Windows Vista, Xbox 360, Microsoft TV and more.

By Mike Fahey Microsoft Game Studios and Epic Games, Inc., today confirmed that Gears of War," the Xbox 360(TM)-exclusive title, has sold more than 2 million copies worldwide since its release six weeks ago, with a stunning 1 million copies sold in the U.S. alone.

By Brian Ashcraft HK: While the expectation is that Blue Dragon will become a key platform driver in Japan and Asia, we have to keep in mind that games like Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey will contribute to the growth and diversification of the Microsoft Game Studios portfolio, and this has a significant bear...

By Mike Fahey AUSTIN, TX (DECEMBER 14, 2006) - Certain Affinity, Inc. (www.certainaffinity.com) unveiled itself to the world today as a new development studio based in Austin, TX. In a strategic partnership with Bungie Studios and Microsoft Game Studios, Certain Affinity's first project is developi...

Xbox 360 and ESPN are a match made in heaven, as we both speak to the same audience," says Mike Fischer, general manager of U.S. Games Marketing. "The Xbox 360 is the best way to take passion for competitive games, including competitive sports to the next level with the great lineup of hi-def ga...

By Brian Crecente I had a chance recently to speak with Frank Pape, senior director of business development for Microsoft Game Studios, Cryptic Studios' Jack Emmert and Vice President of Marvel Interactive, Ames Kirshen, about upcoming massively multiplayer online hero-fest Marvel Universe Online.

By Brian Crecente PC/360 Cross-Platform Marvel MMO Coming: Microsoft Game Studios announced its highly anticipated new massively multiplayer online game, "Marvel Universe Online" for Xbox 360 and the Windows Vista operating system, developed by industry luminaries Cryptic Studios, creators of t...

By Brian Crecente Starting Wednesday, gamers will be able to check out press briefings, daily updates, behind the scenes videos and even playable game demos from the Tokyo Game Show. In the two weeks there will also be two new Arcade title's launched and news of a "major franchise" heading to Xbox Live Arcad...

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