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Microsoft Buys Lionhead Studios

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the doesn't-matter-if-you're-black-or-white dept.

Grench writes "The BBC has an article on Microsoft's purchase of Lionhead Studios. They focus in particular on Peter Molyneux, and the kind of talents and expertise that he can bring to Microsoft's future gaming efforts. A sequel to Fable was mentioned as a probable endeavor." From the article: "Some of the giants of the games industry, such as Electronic Arts and Ubisoft, were reported to have been interested in acquiring Lionhead. But Microsoft has emerged as the victor, adding the studio to its roster of British gaming talent. In 2002, it acquired developers Rare in a $375m deal."

1 of 73 comments (clear)

  1. RIP blah blah blah. by xtieburn · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Take a look at the companies MS Games has bought up.

    Bungie made Halo by a long long way the most succesful game they ever created.
    Digital Anvil made freelancer the most succesful game they ever created.
    Ensemble Studios made Age of Empires the most succesful game they ever created. (I hope your noting the pattern here)
    FASA made Crimson Skies the most succesful game they ever created.
    Rare remain the only studio that hasnt prospered quite as much as theyd hoped though with Perfect Dark and Kameo. Hardly a bad start.

    (and lets not have 'Bungie made Halo for PC!' crap. Thats not the point, MS not killing off the studio, is.)

    Lionhead was going down. You had either EA, Ubisoft or Microsoft. So which do you want? EA who has bought and dissolved countless companies with no regard for there worth? Ubisoft who have recently taken a liking to absurd protection methods. Or Microsoft who buy up companies to use there names and ideas exclusively? Its not exactly a clear cut 'MS are teh evil' situation.

    I know to a lot of people they're the big evil corporation but seriously take a step back and look around for two seconds. You really think the other publishers are better? In fact take a look at the other studios MS owns, you really think Lionhead is gone now?

    Im not saying bad things arnt going to happen to molyneux's baby but MS, in this case, is arguably there best option. (With Ubisoft coming a close second. Lets not even suggest the Bullfrog destroying EA.) Heck, Id even go so far as to say they stand a chance of releasing some pretty solid stuff.

    A little less of the incessant farewell, RIP, crap and perhaps a little more perspective on what is going on.