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[The Librarian]

Look, I'm still waiting for the whole closure of ES leads to MS killing pc gaming

so let's try it.
ES closes
??
??
no more pc rts aoe / MS doesn't want to spend resource on pc gaming
MS killing pc gaming

care to fill in those ??'s or come up with your own?

Pick the avatar that is best suited for him, GAF.

 

[DogWelder]

really that tough of a question?
how about that saves MS money?

companies do that all the time, heck, there are people working daily to see how a corporation can save resources while maintaining the same operating output.

Wtf? So you think it's a wise decision to try to maximize profits on the IP by contracting out development? Ensemble has been proven to make great RTS games, damn right it's a fucking short-sighted decision...there is no guarantee a third-party will be able to make games on par with ES...it's all about the $$ to MS, but if this little experiment is a failure then what? This decision is in effect them giving a rat's ass about PC gaming...

 

[giuliu]

There is a big difference between "restructure within a studio" and "close the studio down". The former is the most likely if MS had plans for future PC RTS. The latter only makes sense if MS don't want to make RTS anymore. Is it proof? No, that level of proof doesn't not exist. You don't want proof, you want a hard and fast prediction of the future which is physically impossible. Microsoft closed one of the premier RTS studios, therefore it seems unlikely that Microsoft will pursue further PC RTS development. You're not going to get firmer than that from anyone because no one knows the future, not even MS.

except that the "premier"ness isn't tie to the name, or the studio.
ES was great because of its employees, which MS retains some of them.
ES was great because of its game series, which MS owns all of them.

are you sure that the "likelyness" MS pursuing pc rts development were any higher before they close ES?

MS controls whatever ES does anyways. makes no difference whether ES opens or not, MS still chooses games its employee makes

 

[Esch]

Goodnight, sweet prince.

Thanks a bunch MS...

 

[titiklabingapat]

Sucks they are being closed down...however...don't blame MS for this...

blame the fucking banks and others who put this economy in the shitty state it's in.

Uh. No. This has nothing to do with the economy as cliche as it sounds.

ES was actually profitable and their games sold 10M+ total.

 

[DogWelder]

Uh. No. This has nothing to do with the economy as cliche as it sounds.

ES was actually profitable and their games sold 10M+ total.

20M+.

 

[Fredescu]

are you sure that the "likelyness" MS pursuing pc rts development were any higher before they close ES?

Yes.

 

[leroidys]

A sad day indeed.

Some of my best moments in gaming were in AOE II. Hated AOM (despite loving the concept) but really felt AOE III was a return to form.

 

[makingmusic476]

I can't help but hold some resentment towards Microsoft for this. They are (were) soem of my my favorite developers.

RIP Ensemble. I'll forever long for an Age of Mythology II. :'(

And I echo the sentiments of those on the first page that questioned why Rare is still around, yet the guys behind Micrsoft's second biggest franchise get the axe.

 

[giuliu]

Wtf? So you think it's a wise decision to try to maximize profits on the IP by contracting out development? Ensemble has been proven to make great RTS games, damn right it's a fucking short-sighted decision...there is no guarantee a third-party will be able to make games on par with ES...it's all about the $$ to MS, but if this little experiment is a failure then what? This decision is in effect them giving a rat's ass about PC gaming...

what contracting out development are you talking about?
how do you know that ms isn't creating an internal team that will replace ES with former ES employees?

fasa closed and its employees joined MGS, plus all those people MGS hires, restructure anyone?

as studios go down, MGS gets bigger, what does it change? it lost the studio name, but it still has the awesome creators and game series.

Yes.

let see,
before ES closes down, there are rts IPs, employees, and the studio name
ES closes down, there are rts IPs still, employees still.

does the freaking name make that much difference in the likeliness? No internal team within MGS can replace ES without the ES name?

 

[krypt0nian]

Good riddance.

Haven't made anything good since AoE2.

I swear to god I'm going to find a way to fucking punch people out through the internet over this shit.

FUCK YOU.


And yes this is a fucking crime. I'm sick of people celebrating the losses of others.

 

[Pureauthor]

Well this sucks.

 

[Sydle]

what contracting out development are you talking about?
how do you know that ms isn't creating an internal team that will replace ES with former ES employees?

fasa closed and its employees joined MGS, plus all those people MGS hires, restructure anyone?

as studios go down, MGS gets bigger, what does it change? it lost the studio name, but it still has the awesome creators and game series.



let see,
before ES closes down, there are rts IPs, employees, and the studio name
ES closes down, there are rts IPs still, employees still.

does the freaking name make that much difference in the likeliness? No internal team within MGS can replace ES without the ES name?

I thought it was confirmed quite some time ago that Microsoft would be absorbing some people back into a newly formed studio, as well as the IPs. Seemed like common restructuring to me.

 

[Das-J]

I just don't understand the reasoning behind this... you can't even wait to see how Halo Wars does on store shelves?!

I've always held Ensemble in high regard since the inception of the AoE series. They were pioneers in the RTS genre and I spent countless hours playing their games. The very best of luck to all of you in your new endeavors... this is a sad, sad day for gaming!

 

[GoDLiKe]

BEST GAME EVER.

OLOLOOOOOOOOO

I'll miss you, Ensemble =(

AoE 2 = best RTS ever made. Fuck you Starcraft, Warcraft or whatever else.

 

[Fredescu]

does the freaking name make that much difference in the likeliness?

Yes. Or more accurately, the removal of the name does.

 

[Ysiadmihi]

I thought it was confirmed quite some time ago that Microsoft would be absorbing some people back into a newly formed studio, as well as the IPs. Seemed like common restructuring to me.

When was this said? I'm not saying you're wrong but I've never heard it and apparently neither has 99% of this thread. The only thing I can recall that's even close to that is when they said a few people would be staying on until Halo Wars wraps up.

 

[giuliu]

Yes. Or more accurately, the removal of the name does.

well okay, it's an opinion thing then. All I can say is wait and see

 

[Sydle]

When was this said? I'm not saying you're wrong but I've never heard it and apparently neither has 99% of this thread. The only thing I can recall that's even close to that is when they said a few people would be staying on until Halo Wars wraps up.

Oh you've all read it, but GAF's retention is that of a walnut. Microsoft made an official statement when they confirmed ES was closing back in September.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6197465.html?sid=6197465

"The team at Ensemble has made invaluable contributions to the games industry with their Age of Empires and Age of Mythology games and with the highly anticipated release of Halo Wars," the publisher said in a statement. "This decision does not reflect at all on Ensemble’s talent or the quality of Halo Wars--in fact, many people who have had a chance to test drive Halo Wars agree that it is on track to being a fantastic game."

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

Commenting on the reason for the closure, Microsoft said, "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."

Of course, I'd wager there are several of you in this thread who remember this, but like to add fuel to the fire rather than put it out.

 

[makingmusic476]

what contracting out development are you talking about?
how do you know that ms isn't creating an internal team that will replace ES with former ES employees?

fasa closed and its employees joined MGS, plus all those people MGS hires, restructure anyone?

as studios go down, MGS gets bigger, what does it change? it lost the studio name, but it still has the awesome creators and game series.



let see,
before ES closes down, there are rts IPs, employees, and the studio name
ES closes down, there are rts IPs still, employees still.

does the freaking name make that much difference in the likeliness? No internal team within MGS can replace ES without the ES name?

From the friggin' OP:

There are at least two new studios being formed by ES employees and I expect both to do very well. There were a lot of outstanding game developers here and it will be interesting to see how and what they do, both individually and as new groups, in the years ahead.

 

[Mrbob]

Thanks for the great games, Ensemble.

Hopefully one of the splinter studios forming will work on a new age of mythology title.

 

[Grimm Fandango]

I have very fond memories of Age of Empires and its early online days.

Hope the new studios do well.

 

[_Xenon_]

Shit it looks like about 1000+ game devs have lost their jobs in these few months. The game industry needs a bailout!

 

[Xemu]

Thanks for the many kind words here, y'all.

I was with Ensemble from 1999 -- nearly a decade of making games with a fantastic group of people. It was kind of surreal finishing Halo Wars knowing this was coming, but at least we had enough time to put together some plans for what comes next. Tomorrow I'll head into the office, finish archiving off some personal files, and say goodbye to some fine friends. A sad day.

I can't comment on the decision to close the studio per se, but MS gets to choose where they spend their money and headcount -- we had a great run during our time owned by MS and they helped us get a lot of great games out there IMO.

Personally I'm heavily involved with one of the new groups coming out of the ashes, and I couldn't be more excited about what we have in the works. So you haven't heard the last from the folks of Ensemble, even if the studio itself is no more.

 

[pgtl_10]

Shame a great developer goes down like this.

Edit: Maybe Bungie felt MS was going to pull plug on them in the future if Halo sales started to fall so they broke up when they had the chance.

 

[wayward archer]

Well there's going to be two new studios formed out of this, with a little more creative freedom now out of microsoft's supervision. It's sad to see the name brand go but the talent is still out there and if there's anything left in them worth playing then I suspect it'll get made. With the numbers they've pulled in the past they won't have any trouble getting some investors.

 

[soldat7]

as studios go down, MGS gets bigger, what does it change?

The Kool-Aid. Stop drinking it.

Thanks for the many kind words here, y'all.

I was with Ensemble from 1999 -- nearly a decade of making games with a fantastic group of people. It was kind of surreal finishing Halo Wars knowing this was coming, but at least we had enough time to put together some plans for what comes next. Tomorrow I'll head into the office, finish archiving off some personal files, and say goodbye to some fine friends. A sad day.

Unbelievable that you guys were able to put the wraps on the game knowing that the studio was closing down. Best of luck.

 

[Brak]

Thanks for the many kind words here, y'all.

I was with Ensemble from 1999 -- nearly a decade of making games with a fantastic group of people. It was kind of surreal finishing Halo Wars knowing this was coming, but at least we had enough time to put together some plans for what comes next. Tomorrow I'll head into the office, finish archiving off some personal files, and say goodbye to some fine friends. A sad day.

I can't comment on the decision to close the studio per se, but MS gets to choose where they spend their money and headcount -- we had a great run during our time owned by MS and they helped us get a lot of great games out there IMO.

Personally I'm heavily involved with one of the new groups coming out of the ashes, and I couldn't be more excited about what we have in the works. So you haven't heard the last from the folks of Ensemble, even if the studio itself is no more.

Thanks for the good times, I've spent many hours playing Ensemble's games. A couple of my friends basically got kicked out of university due to AoE1 addiction.

 

[Proelite]

Hmmm isn't 2 studios better than one? I find similarities between this and the splitting of stocks.

My condolences to the people who were not able to find jobs at the new studios. Hopefully, you guys will find a better opportunity elsewhere.

 

[makingmusic476]

Thanks for the many kind words here, y'all.

I was with Ensemble from 1999 -- nearly a decade of making games with a fantastic group of people. It was kind of surreal finishing Halo Wars knowing this was coming, but at least we had enough time to put together some plans for what comes next. Tomorrow I'll head into the office, finish archiving off some personal files, and say goodbye to some fine friends. A sad day.

I can't comment on the decision to close the studio per se, but MS gets to choose where they spend their money and headcount -- we had a great run during our time owned by MS and they helped us get a lot of great games out there IMO.

Personally I'm heavily involved with one of the new groups coming out of the ashes, and I couldn't be more excited about what we have in the works. So you haven't heard the last from the folks of Ensemble, even if the studio itself is no more.

Can't wait to find out what you guys will be doing next.

 

[Sydle]

The Kool-Aid. Stop drinking it.



Unbelievable that you guys were able to put the wraps on the game knowing that the studio was closing down. Best of luck.

Not so unbelievable when doing your job likely nets you a position at one of the new studios. Think about it.

 

[watership]

I'm really curious now how Halo Wars will sell. A few of my friends would probably buy it if it was on PC, but balked when I told them it was 360 only. Will this game be a grand finish for Ensemble?

 

[soldat7]

Not so unbelievable when doing your job likely nets you a position at one of the new studios. Think about it.

Think about what? I would have been long gone upon hearing the news of a shutdown.

 

[Chris Remo]

Thanks for the many kind words here, y'all.

I was with Ensemble from 1999 -- nearly a decade of making games with a fantastic group of people. It was kind of surreal finishing Halo Wars knowing this was coming, but at least we had enough time to put together some plans for what comes next. Tomorrow I'll head into the office, finish archiving off some personal files, and say goodbye to some fine friends. A sad day.

I can't comment on the decision to close the studio per se, but MS gets to choose where they spend their money and headcount -- we had a great run during our time owned by MS and they helped us get a lot of great games out there IMO.

Personally I'm heavily involved with one of the new groups coming out of the ashes, and I couldn't be more excited about what we have in the works. So you haven't heard the last from the folks of Ensemble, even if the studio itself is no more.

Best of luck man, and can't wait to see what you guys have in the works. Take care.

 

[jetjevons]

There aren't enough :-( in the world to express what's happened in the past few months.

 

[Smokey]

Thanks for the many kind words here, y'all.

I was with Ensemble from 1999 -- nearly a decade of making games with a fantastic group of people. It was kind of surreal finishing Halo Wars knowing this was coming, but at least we had enough time to put together some plans for what comes next. Tomorrow I'll head into the office, finish archiving off some personal files, and say goodbye to some fine friends. A sad day.

I can't comment on the decision to close the studio per se, but MS gets to choose where they spend their money and headcount -- we had a great run during our time owned by MS and they helped us get a lot of great games out there IMO.

Personally I'm heavily involved with one of the new groups coming out of the ashes, and I couldn't be more excited about what we have in the works. So you haven't heard the last from the folks of Ensemble, even if the studio itself is no more.

Good luck to you in the future.

I personally have wanted to play RTS', but for whatever reason mainly used my PC for FPS titles. I've heard a lot about you guys though and how good you all are. So with that I'm looking forward to playing Halo Wars to see what the fuss is all about. Based on the videos I've seen it does look really good, and as a Halo fan am excited to play it.

 

[Sydle]

Think about what? I would have been long gone upon hearing the news of a shutdown.

Even if you had a position lined up at a new studio with some of your former colleauges? Even when you're hearing of studios closing down in the economic downturn?

Really?

 

[MirageDwarf]

This is really sad. I've sweet memory of spending countless hours on demo of AoE.

Didn't know we have somebody from Ensemble on GAF. Xemu, good luck to you and your co-workers. Thanks for making awesome PC games. Will look forward to whatever you guys are working on.

 

[soldat7]

Even if you had a position lined up at a new studio with some of your former colleauges? Even when you're hearing of studios closing down in the economic downturn?

Really?

What about those that didn't? If the ship is going down you jump off and swim for the beach. You don't float around hoping for someone to rescue you.

 

[Sydle]

What about those that didn't. If the ship is going down you jump off and swim for the beach.

Even when there's not one but two life boats near by? You're gonna go for an unknown beach? Risky.

 

[tahrikmili]

ES have been but a shadow of their former selves since what I consider to be the talent of the company moved on and created Big Huge Games.

They haven't released a single game worth my attention since AoE2:C.

Still sad to see them go.. But not as much as I would be five years ago.

 

[MCermak]

Age of empires is a series that will always have a place in my heart. I remember downloading the demo for age 1 on a 56k modem and being yelled at for tying up the phone line for 12 hours. But, I also remember how worth the wait it was. I played the hell out of that demo. And later, it became the first PC game I bought as a kid.

I waited feverishly for Age of Kings to come out, and I gave that game hundreds of hours of my life, and I would gladly do it again. I remember all the nights i'd play with friends through a modem connection, with my dad yelling at me again and again to get off the damn phone line. I remember the zone, and all the people I met and played with. Even years after it came out, it's still a LAN party favorite with my friends and I. Later, AOM & Age 3 and all the times spent online playing and upgrading my city. What a great series.. I knew this news was coming for a long time now. But it is still very sad. I gotta say thanks to all the people that made the games, they were great. I had an awesome time playing. I hope that most of you can stick together at one of the new studios and I hope you get a crack at another age of game.

GAF. We should get a big game of age 2 going on hamachi. It's been awhile, and all this age of empires talk has me craving it.

 

[soldat7]

Even when there's not one but two life boats near by? You're gonna go for an unknown beach? Risky.

So everyone at Ensemble is going to be reabsorbed back into MGS and is guaranteed a job. My mistake.

 

[pr0cs]

A shame really, AoE was one of my most beloved games, along with Total Annihilation and Starcraft from the RTS genre.
Yet another sign that PC gaming is changing and morphing from the glory days of the late 90s and early 2000s.

 

[giuliu]

The Kool-Aid. Stop drinking it.

ok then, MS is doomed as they closes more studios. Final nails on the coffin are coming.
expect MS to pull out of gaming in the near future.

 

[Sydle]

So everyone at Ensemble is going to be reabsorbed back into MGS and is guaranteed a job. My mistake.

Nobody said that, but it would make seem that by up and quitting you would severly reduce your chances of landing one of those other positions. It's also better than nothing, or the chance that you won't find another job by the time the studio is officially closed.

The ONLY time it makes sense to quit in this case is when you have another job lined up.

 

[soldat7]

ok then, MS is doomed as they closes more studios. Final nails on the coffin are coming.
expect MS to pull out of gaming in the near future.

MS is clearly not pulling out of gaming but they sure are making some genuinely bone-headed moves with regards to first-party developers. And I certainly am not seeing the fabled (II) growth of MGS, only missed opportunities and closed shops.

 

[giuliu]

MS is clearly not pulling out of gaming but they sure are making some genuinely bone-headed moves with regards to first-party developers. And I certainly am not seeing the fabled (II) growth of MGS, only missed opportunities and closed shops.

bone-headed moves lead to huge financial loss.
okay, nvm about MS pulling out, but they're doomed to continue to lose money, and all those who owns MS consoles will get less games to play than owners of other consoles.

happy?

 

[giuliu]

So everyone at Ensemble is going to be reabsorbed back into MGS and is guaranteed a job. My mistake.

no one said that.

we don't know how many got laid off or let go or reabsorbed or whatever.

but there is some sort of internal team in MGS that will replace ES to continue to make games.

what games? not sure, it's up to MS, just like when ES was around.
will we see more AOE? not sure, MS still owns the IP, just like when ES was around.

so what changed is some people changed/lost their jobs, which is sad though that's part of the problem of the current economy. What change does it make for gaming? nothing IMO, MS is in total control of what games to create before and after ES closes.

 

[soldat7]

bone-headed moves lead to huge financial loss.
okay, nvm about MS pulling out, but they're doomed to continue to lose money, and all those who owns MS consoles will get less games to play than owners of other consoles.

happy?

Well I'm not seeing huge financial gains from MS studio decisions either. Of course they're not hemorrhaging money; of course they're not pullilng out; of course third-party support will continue to be stellar for MS's platform.

However, if you do not see a problem with Microsoft's recent (bone-headed) handling of Bungie, BioWare, Bizarre, Rare, Ensemble, Silicon Knights and FASA, then you must know something that I don't.