Microsoft Acquires Lionhead Studios
Robert P Holley
Microsoft Game Studios (MGS) today announced it has purchased
U.K.-based Lionhead Studios, one of the world's leading and most
innovative video game developers and creators of "Fable," the hit Xbox
and Windows franchise.
Lionhead Studios will immediately begin creating content exclusively
for the Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows platforms. The companies
previously worked together on the popular role-playing games "Fable"
for Xbox and "Fable: The Lost Chapters" for Xbox and Windows, which
have collectively surpassed the 2 million global unit sales milestone,
making "Fable" the best-selling role-playing franchise on the Xbox
platform. "Fable" and "Fable: The Lost Chapters" enable players to make
decisions that affect their character's skills, appearances and
morality and the world around them.
"At Microsoft Game Studios we have worked hard to become the best
partner for the best creative talent in our industry, and this
acquisition underscores our commitment to excellence," said Shane Kim,
general manager of Microsoft Game Studios. "Peter Molyneux is one of
the few true visionaries in our industry, and his joining us is
incredibly important to the future of both interactive entertainment
and MGS. Lionhead is a shining example of the innovative and creative
talent that has delivered some of the most influential and unique games
experiences to date, and I am honored to welcome Peter and the
incredible people at Lionhead Studios."
"We could not be more excited about being part of MGS. They have long
supported our creative vision, and this teamwork resulted in the hugely
successful 'Fable' franchise," said Molyneux, managing director of
Lionhead Studios. "This acquisition gives Lionhead the stability and
opportunity to focus on creating world-class next-generation titles. We
are joining some of the most incredible game creators in the industry,
the combined talent of which will truly take next-generation gaming to
a new level."
With today's announcement, Lionhead Studios becomes the latest member
of MGS, joining such prestigious and globally recognised game creators
as Bungie Studios, Ensemble Studios, FASA Studio and Rare Ltd. on a
team whose charter is to create exclusive entertainment experiences
that differentiate Xbox 360 and Windows from other gaming platforms.
Mr Moore explained how Microsoft was not going to put pressure on
Lionhead to play it safe when it came to future games.
"We are not going to try to bracket them into churning out a shooter,"
he said.
"Peter is willing to take a risk and do things differently. We will
support that."
Jeremy Reaban
"Robert P Holley" <holl...@delanet.com> wrote in message
> "Peter is willing to take a risk and do things differently. We will
> support that."
He is the most crooked, over hyped, POS game designer in the history of the
universe. MS is making a big mistake.
Doug Jacobs
> Microsoft Game Studios (MGS) today announced it has purchased
> U.K.-based Lionhead Studios, one of the world's leading and most
> innovative video game developers and creators of "Fable," the hit Xbox
> and Windows franchise.
Can a single game be a franchise? Have they even done anything else
besides Fable? (yes, I'm being too lazy to look it up myself.)
Robert P Holley
Jordan
They would have done B.C. as well, but it got canned.
- Jordan
Hank the Rapper
> Can a single game be a franchise? Have they even done anything else
> besides Fable? (yes, I'm being too lazy to look it up myself.)
There are two Fable games, the original and The Lost Chapters. Lionhead has
also made Black & White 1 and 2, their expansions, and The Movies.
Doug Jacobs
> There are two Fable games, the original and The Lost Chapters. Lionhead has
> also made Black & White 1 and 2, their expansions, and The Movies.
Is Lost Chapters a true sequel? I thought it was an add-on (requirining
the original game) or a "special edition" version (like Jade Empire's
Special Edition)?
Hank the Rapper
Hmmm, I didn't mean to make it sound like a sequel. It was more of an
expansion pack.