Tag Archives: Microsoft Game Studios

Ex-head of Microsoft Game Studios Ed Fries has said there’s still “magic” left at Rare, despite the studio moving away from its roots in recent years.

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Famed development studio Lionhead Studios has put on a call for an experienced MMO programmer to work with them on an upcoming new project.

Unfortunately, Lionhead is unwilling to share even a tiny detail about the project just yet. When Eurogamer inquired about the nature of the project, Lionhead responded with a somewhat cheeky retort, “”Thanks for checking in with us! We’re happy to tell you all about what we’re working on. Just apply, get hired, and we promise to spill our guts!”

Quick! Somebody go get a computer science degree! Via Eurogamer.

A relatively severe new glitch has popped up in Gears of War 3 that not only freezes the system, but also prevents players from entering any game mode thereafter. More »

Machinima’s gone live with a, quite simply, stunning cinematic trailer for Gears of War 3. Get watching below the break.

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There’ll still be a challenge for hardcore gamers in Kinect Star Wars according to the game’s Global Product Manager.

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Rare tells us that despite being a departure from the games that made the studio famous, Kinect Sports and its sequel Kinect Sports: Season 2 still bear the hallmarks of a Rare product.

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Microsoft Game Studios boss Phil Spencer has admitted that the Xbox platform would lose its way if the same happened with the Halo IP.

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Xbox CFO Dennis Durkin believes Microsoft Game Studios’ system is “superior” to Sony or Nintendo, due to the first party performance “in terms of quality bars and units per title.”

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Microsoft Game Studios boss Phil Spencer has said that with the development of Ryse, Crytek has “fallen in love” with Kinect, adding the relationship between the German company and MS is “a perfect marriage.”

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Double Fine mecha actioner Trenched’s launched in the US on Xbox Live Arcade, but has been delayed in Europe. Microsoft’s said that it’s looking to “resolve the matter as soon as possible.” Xbox Live UK Editor Dan Maher said in a tweet that the official line was “Unexpected challenges with distribution in some European regions.’ Shouldn’t take long!”

So hold back the MS points yet, EU massive.

Microsoft Game Studios boss Phil Spencer has confirmed in a GameSpot interview that Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary Edition will have some sort of Kinect support.

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Tim Schafer slayed ‘em at the Game Developer’s Choice Awards, but he saved the best for last: a teaser trailer announcing Double Fine’s new game, Trenched.

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Microsoft’s announced a special rebate offer to those who will be buying goods from Xbox Live for Christmas.

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Microsoft Game Studios boss Phil Spencer has told GameSpot that Kinect is as vital to Xbox 360 as Xbox Live.

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Microsoft Game Studios’ Phil Spencer has told Eurogamer the launch of Kinect will be the biggest for any one platform. “Ever.”

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If you thought the new-look Age of Empires meant Microsoft was moving on from PC hardware junkies and into the casual space, think again: Microsoft Game Studios GM Dave Luehmann has confirmed to VG247 that the company is working on at least one game that will “encourage that type of behaviour.”

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A recent job listing from Microsoft has shown it’s working on a “large franchise” for Natal.

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After 19 years of faithful service to Microsoft, Shane Kim has decided to leave the company in order to spend more time with his family. Kim, for those just tuning in, is corporate vice president of Microsoft’s Interactive Entertainment Business, and one of the most prevalent “faces” of the not-actually-micro mega-company’s gaming division. He’ll be making his exit this fall, according to a report by Industry Gamers.

In Kim’s wake, Phil Spencer will be promoted to corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios. He was formerly its GM.

For now, Microsoft doesn’t plan on filling Kim’s vacated position in its IEB, but you can bet that Phil Spencer will be seeing even more action without Kim around to lighten the load. Fortunately, he’ll be assisted by Dennis Durkin, who’s taken up the newly created mantel of chief operating officer of Microsoft’s IEB.

Has it really been 19 years already? Best of luck, Shane. Tell the wife we said “hello.”

Peter Molyneux’s told Edge that his new role as the European creative director of Microsoft Games Studios doesn’t mean he’s going to be ordering people about.

“Microsoft came to me and said, ‘It would be incredibly helpful to have someone such as yourself to creatively guide – and I want to stress that – it’s a creative guidance role,” he said, talking at E3 this week.

“I’m not going to go into studios and start designing their games. It’s just using my experience to help people through the development process.”

Molyneux’s new job was confirmed in LA this week, a move the Lionhead boss described as “very exciting”.

There’s a full interview through there.

Microsoft has announced its to acquire BigPark Inc, a company comprised of industry vets Wil Mozell, Erik Kiss, Hanno Lemke and Don Mattrick who created or had large roles in both Distinctive Software and EA Canada.

BigPark’s founding team has over 80 years of collective experience in the game industry, having produced or overseen titles Need for Speed, FIFA Soccer, Skate, NHL Hockey, NBA Street, and SSX.

The acquisition will meld the developers into Microsoft Game Studios, where the team will continue development on its exclusive Xbox 360 game.

“We are delighted by the opportunity to welcome the BigPark team into Microsoft Game Studios,” said Microsoft Games GM Phil Spencer.

“The team is composed of some of the most experienced and creative minds working in the industry today. The combination of the BigPark and Microsoft Game Studios talent pools will be an accelerant for growth and innovation. We believe BigPark has tremendous potential to create new properties and innovative gaming experiences for our platforms, one of which we’re looking forward to showcasing at the E3 Expo in June.”

Full thing below.

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