Ex-Ensemble devs form new studio, will create Halo Wars DLC
- February 17, 2009 00:00 AM PST
With Halo Wars complete and heading to store soon, employees from its defunct developer will be forming a new studio called Robot Entertainment, which will be creating new content for the upcoming RTS.
When Ensemble Studios was putting the finishing touches on the upcoming Xbox 360 real time strategy game Halo Wars, many were shocked to find out that the developer, who had also been responsible for the Age of Empires series, would be closed upon completion of the project. Not only would many great developers be out of work, but one of the most important Xbox 360 titles would be without a developer for post-release content. Both of those fears were calmed today when the founders of Ensemble Studios announced the formation of Robot Entertainment, a studio comprised of many former Ensemble staffers.
In a press release sent out by the company, Robot Entertainment confirmed its dedication to working with Halo Wars publisher Microsoft Games Studios to create new Halo Wars content, as well as keeping its online community vibrant (as well as Age of Empires). Additionally, Robot Entertainment will be developing its own IP, though no publisher or console was revealed to be the recipient. You can read the press release in its entirety below.
Founders of Ensemble Studios Announce Formation of Robot Entertainment
PLANO, Texas - February 17, 2009 - Robot Entertainment announced today the formation of its new game development studio in Plano, Texas. Founded by many of the original founders of Ensemble Studios, Robot has a staff of 45 comprised entirely of former Ensemble employees. Robot's team developed the hit franchise Age of Empires(tm), selling over 20 million units worldwide, and the soon-to-be released Halo Wars for Xbox 360(tm). Tony Goodman, the founder of Ensemble, is the CEO of Robot.
"The video game industry is in a state of upheaval," said Mr. Goodman, "not just games, but the entire landscape. Everything is changing: where we buy games, how we buy games, how much we pay, how long we play, who we play them with. As a fast-moving independent team of game developers, industry leaders and market experts, Robot Entertainment is ideally positioned to play a transformative role in the industry's future."
Robot Entertainment is working with Microsoft Game Studios to develop additional content for Halo Wars and support online gaming and community for both Age of Empires and Halo Wars. Additionally, Robot is developing its own original IP.
About Robot Entertainment
Based in Plano, Texas, Robot Entertainment is a world-class independent game development studio owned and operated by many of the founders of Ensemble Studios. With a team that has proven experience and expertise in creating games that appeal to massive audiences, Robot Entertainment is focused on titles that set new standards for their respective genres as well as groundbreaking original IPs. Robot can be found on the web at www.robotentertainment.com.
With layoffs and company closings happening left and right, it's nice to see a new studio form. And might I add it's probably the greatest studio name ever! Can't wait to hear about the new IP!
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- Feb 17 2009 at 08:03:40:PM PST
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fueledsystem wrote:
milk it milk it good milk the franchise till that bucket runs dry
LOL agreed, while I am a big fan of Halo, I HATE strategy games, so I wont be picking this up, now ODST on the other hand, I probably will...oh wait, MORE MILKING!
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If this game is good, then it's not milking the franchise, it's feeding the cash-cow. If the game is fun and relevant I am all for it. If it becomes stale, then it is redundant. But play the game first and form your own opinion!
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rts games are far from the of games i like.i just cant get into them.however.my wife was in best buy the other day and saw halo on the box thinking it was a new halo game(much like haol 1,2, and 3)so she decided to try and surprise me buy paying for it in full.now my dilemma is this.im burned out on halo but welcome halo odst(because it is a new take on the universe and not the same old gameplay).i just read the new game informer and they rated it a 9 out of 10.so should i pick it up anyway,or exchange it for something else i know for sure ill like?even though it is rated high and they say someone finally got the rts formula right on consoles.i still feel i wont embrace it because i just cant get into rts games.same with turn based fighting(the whole reason im not really into some of the best rpg's) i like to be in control of my actions.like in action games and shooters or in some cases some rpgs.
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