Any truth to the Microsoft/FASA rumor?
mercu...@hotmail.com
mail about a rumor that Microsoft
bought FASA Interactive. Anyone
know about it?
Specifically, I'm wondering if they
bought the "Interactive" part or the
whole dice-and-paper (Shadowrun,
Crimson Skies, etc.) end of FASA.
Feel free to e-mail me at
mercu...@hotmail.com. (No
sense wasting bandwidth here,
right?)
Thanks!
---
Eric S. Trautmann
-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own
Brian Stewart
>
> Some friends of mine sent me an e-
> mail about a rumor that Microsoft
> bought FASA Interactive. Anyone
> know about it?
>
> Specifically, I'm wondering if they
> bought the "Interactive" part or the
> whole dice-and-paper (Shadowrun,
> Crimson Skies, etc.) end of FASA.
>
> Feel free to e-mail me at
> mercu...@hotmail.com. (No
> sense wasting bandwidth here,
> right?)
>
Actually, I haven't heard this rumor, so I'd like to see the response
posted here! You've got me curious!
Brian
Ryan S Johnson
> bought the "Interactive" part or the
> whole dice-and-paper (Shadowrun,
> Crimson Skies, etc.) end of FASA.
To the best of our knowledge, Microsoft only bought FASA Interactive, not
FASA Inc. They were, in fact, two seperate corporations.
Ryan S. Johnson
Guild of Blades Publishing Group
www.guildofblades.com
>
>
> Feel free to e-mail me at
> mercu...@hotmail.com. (No
> sense wasting bandwidth here,
> right?)
>
Mister Jimm
computer programs. "Shadowrun ver 7.2 max" anyone?
JD
mercu...@hotmail.com wrote in article
<776gih$bp6$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>...
> Some friends of mine sent me an e-
> mail about a rumor that Microsoft
> bought FASA Interactive. Anyone
> know about it?
>
> Specifically, I'm wondering if they
> bought the "Interactive" part or the
> whole dice-and-paper (Shadowrun,
> Crimson Skies, etc.) end of FASA.
>
Whytewulv
VWE and FIT were aquired from shareholders as we reported MS was doing
last month. The "Official" press release came out Monday this week.
http://badkarma.net/newsroom/index.html
What does it include?
FIT/VWE PC licesing for MechCommander, and MW BattleTech PC games,
Shadowrun and Earthdawn PC games (Dont expect to see any ED titles and
Shadowrun Assasin is vaporware)
Also, Crimson Skies is fully licensed to VWE, hence Microsoft now.
Jordan Weisman is joining MS in Redmond as creative consultant, while
Mort Weisman and Ross Babcock are staying in Chicago to develop FASA Corp
(Pen and Paper comapny is not part of the deal) with its new found cash.
ROB Robisnon
Managing Director
Bad Karma mecha news
Brian Stewart wrote:
> mercu...@hotmail.com wrote:
> >
> > Some friends of mine sent me an e-
> > mail about a rumor that Microsoft
> > bought FASA Interactive. Anyone
> > know about it?
> >
> > Specifically, I'm wondering if they
> > bought the "Interactive" part or the
> > whole dice-and-paper (Shadowrun,
> > Crimson Skies, etc.) end of FASA.
> >
> > Feel free to e-mail me at
> > mercu...@hotmail.com. (No
> > sense wasting bandwidth here,
> > right?)
> >
>
> Actually, I haven't heard this rumor, so I'd like to see the response
> posted here! You've got me curious!
>
> Brian
--
BAD KARMA
Mecha News A group for Fans on the Internet
http://badkarma.net
badk...@badkarma.net
1. To strive to bring Mecha pilots closer together through shared
information and scheduled events.
2. To assist in helping players and informing any interested in Mecha RP
and PC games and related topics.
3. Promote fair gaming on the internet.
mercu...@hotmail.com
>
> To the best of our knowledge, Microsoft only bought FASA Interactive, not
> FASA Inc. They were, in fact, two seperate corporations.
I suspected as much; I would have
been stunned to see Jordy let the
dice-and-paper arm go so quickly.
:D
Anybody know if there's some kind
of press release or anything? I'd
like some hard data to placate my
players and colleagues...
MSta903328
>If this is true expect way more "editions" of the rulebooks much like their
>computer programs. "Shadowrun ver 7.2 max" anyone?
>JD
Does this mean you get to page 14 and the book crashes?
Catbox :-D
**************************************************************************
*************************
So Gunny smiles his most fatherly smile at us and sez sweetly, "Boys, I need
couple of volunteers. . ."
DeltaSquad
mercu...@hotmail.com wrote in message
<776gih$bp6$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>...
>Some friends of mine sent me an e-
>mail about a rumor that Microsoft
>bought FASA Interactive. Anyone
>know about it?
>
>Specifically, I'm wondering if they
>bought the "Interactive" part or the
>whole dice-and-paper (Shadowrun,
>Crimson Skies, etc.) end of FASA.
Check out the Fasa Interactive Web site for an
official press release - www.fasainteractive.com
Also, in the Forum on the Crimson Skies web site -
www.crimsonskies.com talk about the future
of Crimson Skies is discussed. I've heard conflicting
reports about the status of the Shadowrun computer
game, though. As a side note,I hope that the new-found
capital will bring back production on the Earthdawn line
myself.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
---
Alex Knapik
Delta Squad Writing Group
Maple Grove, Minnesota
StackMC
>>If this is true expect way more "editions" of the rulebooks much like their
>>computer programs. "Shadowrun ver 7.2 max" anyone?
>>JD
>
>Does this mean you get to page 14 and the book crashes?
LOL!
Yes, then you have to reboot and start reading from the beginning. No player
will ever finish the book....
Winn
Microsoft Acquires FASA Interactive
Strategic Acquisition Adds Top Talent and Popular MechWarrior Franchise To
Growing Games Portfolio
REDMOND, Wash. - Jan. 7, 1999 - Microsoft Corp. today announced the
acquisition of Chicago-based FASA Interactive Technologies Inc., including
its
parent company Virtual Worlds Entertainment Group Inc., from a group of
shareholders including FASA Corp., creators of the enormously popular
BattleTechÆ universe of stories, games and characters. As a result of the
acquisition, Microsoft gains exclusive and perpetual electronic rights to
the
BattleTech property, which includes one of the most successful franchises in
the computer game industry, "MechWarrior’ ," and its recent real-time
strategy
extension, "MechCommanderô." "MechWarrior 2" and its related add-ons have
accounted for more than $70 million in sales. Financial terms of the
acquisition were not disclosed.
"The acquisition of FASA Interactive reflects our commitment to growing our
business with a smaller portfolio of top-quality games," said Ed Fries,
general manager of Microsoft's games group. "The MechWarrior franchise is
one
of the best-selling series of PC games in history and is synonymous with
groundbreaking technology and compelling gameplay. We're excited to continue
the growth of the BattleTech property as part of our portfolio."
FASA Interactive's development staff will be integrated into Microsoft's
product development teams in Redmond, where they will continue working on
upcoming titles including "MechWarrior 4" and "MechCommander 2." Jordan
Weisman, chief creative officer of FASA Interactive and co-creator of the
BattleTech universe for FASA Corp., has also joined Microsoft, where he will
guide the growth of the BattleTech-based franchises.
"I am thrilled to see the BattleTech universe move to Microsoft, a company
that really understands the value of focusing on great games," said Mort
Weisman, chief executive officer of FASA Corp. "We're confident that
Microsoft's technology expertise, financial resources, global distribution
channels and marketing muscle will expand the BattleTech universe of PC
games
into new areas, including the online arena."
In addition to future MechWarrior and MechCommander games, Microsoft is also
exploring opportunities for FASA Corp.'s other properties, includings the
ShadowrunÆ, EarthDawnÆ and Renegade LegionÆ universes. The acquisition is
not
expected to affect the anticipated retail release of "MechWarrior 3," which
will be published in 1999 by Hasbro Interactive and MicroProse Inc. under an
agreement entered into prior to the acquisition.
About FASA Interactive
Headquartered in Chicago, FASA Interactive designs and, develops interactive
entertainment software for play on personal computers. Founded in 1994, the
company focuses on action-simulation, action-strategy and strategy games
utilizing BattleTech, MechWarrior and Shadowrun intellectual properties.
More
information on FASA Interactive and its products is available at
http://www.fasainteractive.com/ and http://www.fasa.com/.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in
software
for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and
services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of
making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full
power of personal computing every day.
Microsoft is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corp.
in
the United States and/or other countries.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective
owners.
dsp...@hotmail.com
mercu...@hotmail.com wrote:
> Some friends of mine sent me an e-
> mail about a rumor that Microsoft
> bought FASA Interactive. Anyone
> know about it?
>
> Specifically, I'm wondering if they
> bought the "Interactive" part or the
> whole dice-and-paper (Shadowrun,
> Crimson Skies, etc.) end of FASA.
>
>
> ---
> Eric S. Trautmann
Got same rumor thru source in Europe and again with same question. Your guess
is as good as mine.
DSP
WinningerR
> bought the "Interactive" part or the
> whole dice-and-paper (Shadowrun,
> Crimson Skies, etc.) end of FASA.<<<
Just the "interactive" part. Microsoft is not interested in the dice-and-paper
games.
mercu...@hotmail.com
>
> Got same rumor thru source in Europe and again with same question. Your guess
> is as good as mine.
> DSP
Er. Yeah. Thanks. Very helpful,
Scott. :D
Eric Trautmann
mercu...@hotmail.com
19990113204455.04067.00000372@ng-
fu1.aol.com>,
winni...@aol.com (WinningerR)
>
> Just the "interactive" part. Microsoft is not interested in the dice-and-paper
> games.
>
Thanks, Ray. I suspected as much--
and there have been a few press-
releases since the rumor first started
flying around that confirmed my
suspicions--but, well, you know how
rabidly suspicious folks are about
Gates and Co. ;D
---
Eric S. Trautmann
Christopher Smith
wrote:
>Also, Crimson Skies is fully licensed to VWE, hence Microsoft now.
>
>Jordan Weisman is joining MS in Redmond as creative consultant, while
>Mort Weisman and Ross Babcock are staying in Chicago to develop FASA Corp
>(Pen and Paper comapny is not part of the deal) with its new found cash.
Here is a post from Ross Babcock on the standing of Crimson Skies. It seems
the Microsoft owns it, and FASA licenses it.
http://www.crimsonskies.com/forum/index.pl?read=150
Chris
Brett Slocum
>> To the best of our knowledge, Microsoft only bought FASA Interactive, not
>> FASA Inc. They were, in fact, two seperate corporations.
>
>I suspected as much; I would have
>been stunned to see Jordy let the
>dice-and-paper arm go so quickly.
>:D
>
>Anybody know if there's some kind
>of press release or anything? I'd
>like some hard data to placate my
>players and colleagues...
From the Microsoft site:
REDMOND, Wash., Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) today
announced plans to acquire Chicago-based FASA Interactive Technologies Inc.,
including its parent company Virtual Worlds Entertainment Group Inc., from a
group of shareholders including FASA Corp., creators of the enormously popular
BattleTech universe of stories, games and characters. As a result of the
acquisition, Microsoft gains exclusive and perpetual electronic rights to the
BattleTech property, which includes one of the most successful franchises in the
computer game industry, MechWarrior, and its recent real-time strategy
extension, MechCommander. MechWarrior 2 and its related add-ons have accounted
for more than $70 million in sales. Financial terms of the acquisition were not
disclosed.
....
---
Brett Slocum <slo...@io.com> | ICQ 13032903 | MiB #0666 (Twin Cities CL)
* Illuminated Site of the Week: http://www.sjgames.com/ill/illsotw/
* GURPS site: http://www.io.com/~slocum/gurps.html
* Tekumel Web Ring Admin: http://www.io.com/~slocum/webring/
"Ah'm yer pa, Luke." -- if James Earl Ray was the voice of Darth Vader
Brett Slocum
>
>mercu...@hotmail.com wrote in message
><776gih$bp6$1...@nnrp1.dejanews.com>...
>>Some friends of mine sent me an e-
>>mail about a rumor that Microsoft
>>bought FASA Interactive. Anyone
>>know about it?
>>
>>Specifically, I'm wondering if they
>>bought the "Interactive" part or the
>>whole dice-and-paper (Shadowrun,
>>Crimson Skies, etc.) end of FASA.
>
>Check out the Fasa Interactive Web site for an
>official press release - www.fasainteractive.com
>Also, in the Forum on the Crimson Skies web site -
>www.crimsonskies.com talk about the future
>of Crimson Skies is discussed. I've heard conflicting
>reports about the status of the Shadowrun computer
>game, though. As a side note,I hope that the new-found
>capital will bring back production on the Earthdawn line
>myself.
As was reported by Pyramid, FASA has announced that Earthdawn is being dropped.
With two new games coming out (Crimson Skies and VOR), they decided that
something needed to go and its Earthdawn. Same thing happened to Renegade
Legions when Shadowrun came out.
The Dragons supplement is mentioned as probably going up on the FASA web site
for free download.