Epic Games Signs Microsoft Publishing Deal

Posted by simoniker on Tuesday September 16, 2003 @12:24PM from the jay-wilbur-has-hat-made-of-money dept.

Thanks to Gamers.com for the news that Unreal creators Epic have signed a long-term publishing deal with Microsoft. According to the piece, "Microsoft will publish 'several' future Epic projects - as yet unnamed - exclusively for Xbox and Windows", and it's noted that "Epic is the sole owner of the Unreal name and franchise", although Atari is still publishing Unreal Tournament 2004 for PC this November. Included in the Microsoft deal are two projects from new Epic offshoot Scion Studios, promising to "explore development opportunities within Epic Games' established action titles, and beyond", possibly implying at least one Unreal-branded, Microsoft-published title - unless the "established action title" in question is Jazz Jackrabbit.

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and Linux? by SanityInAnarchy · 2003-09-16 13:25 · Score: 4, Informative

I'm going to miss those Linux ports.

Reminds me of when MS bought Rare (unconfirmed, my little bro says so).

Time to boycott Unreal. Quake still seems to be un-bought, right?

--
Don't thank God, thank a doctor!
Re:Microsoft is just buying it's way into the mark by AllUsernamesAreGone · 2003-09-16 23:39 · Score: 4, Informative

From the article: "Microsoft will publish "several" future Epic projects -- as yet unnamed projects -- exclusively for Xbox and Windows ." (my emphasis). Not "XBox and PC", which could have given leeway in the OS department. No, this would be an appropriate point to say fare-thee-well to Linux clients of any future Epic games. Dropping linux servers is less likely, though Microsoft would probably pressure Epic to drop them as well.