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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Cool? by Dancin_Santa · 2003-09-16 12:29 · Score: 5, Insightful

No conspiracy here. Microsoft does what it does best: spot talent and buy it.
Note how by Anonymous Coward · 2003-09-16 12:47 · Score: 5, Insightful

Microsoft's acquisitions are always designed not only to serve as revenue generators, but also as cockblockers for the competition.

In the games industry alone, they've done this to Mac users (Bungie), Nintendo (Rare - honestly, Nintendo got rid of them at the right time, IMO), and now Linux gamers (Epic/Unreal).

Basically, they use their large coffers from their Windows/Offce monopoly to prop up their side projects and diddle with everyone else.