Microsoft Buys The Gunstringer Developer

[Dodece]

@persistantthug

Based on your comments it is obvious you haven't put nearly enough thought into your point of view. On the whole it seems that Microsoft knows what it is doing, and has done a remarkable job. Whether you like what they decided to do in a given situation. That doesn't mean that they were incompetent at their job. Shall we critique every one of the studios you mentioned.

ACES- You seriously have issue with how Microsoft handled this studio. They managed this studio for two decades while being profitable, and producing a viable product. That said I can see why Microsoft decided to close down this studio. While it may be close to your heart flight simulators are not necessarily a product line that needs to be perpetuated. Eventually you reach a maximum potential, and from there you can only go downward. To be blunt they didn't need these games in their portfolio, and since the software had nowhere left to go the future prospect for this line wasn't all that grand. You can only take simulations so far. Competition would only stiffen over time as differentiation would become less possible.

Digital Anvil- Once again seriously you have a problem with Microsoft when it comes to this one. They saved this studio from a early demise. They took a gamble on a studio acquisition, and no they didn't shutter the studio they opted to redeploy the staff to Microsoft Game Studios. Discarding a name doesn't mean that the asset was really put to poor use. These people are still working on games for Microsoft. They just aren't called Digital Anvil now.

Ensemble- Are you really going to argue that Microsoft needs a studio developing Real Time Strategy games. Can we be real about this. Eight years was a good run, but the market changes over time, and so does the situation. In the end the studio wasn't necessary even if it was profitable. Microsoft saw better prospects elsewhere, and to be honest about the whole situation. I cannot imagine any manufacturer opting to keep a studio that specialized in the making of these games. This studio wasn't forwarding the agenda. The budget allocated to this studio at that time would, and probably was spent to greater effect.

FASA- What you know another studio that specialized in making niche titles, and was the product of a acquisition, and subsequent sell off. The studio was more of a accidental byproduct. To be honest I was actually shocked that Microsoft actually moved forward with game development. Kind of agree with you here this was a poor move on their part. They ought to have committed heavily, or not committed at all. Instead the studio kind of meandered.

Rare- I have said it before, and I will say it again. Rare was in rough shape when Microsoft acquired the developer. They were quite simply overworked, over committed, and overweight. The developer was pushed to the breaking point. I am kind of tired of people blaming Microsoft for picking up the pieces, because they had the sense to see long term prospects, and a immediate return. Microsoft needed franchises, and they needed a studio with a solid pedigree. You can argue that they overpaid, but it isn't a fair argument that they were responsible for the collapse. That said it appears that Microsoft is doing a good job of returning the developer to health. I think you have to wait till next generation to see if Rare can get its groove back. It may not be great, but it is indeed recovering.


Bungie- You have to be fucking kidding me with this one right. Microsoft did nothing less then a brilliant job with this studio. Together they created perhaps the biggest franchise of this generation worth billions of dollars. Put the studio firmly on the map, and created a loyal legion of fans. Bungie left better then it came in, and Microsoft being reasonable enough to let them leave should tell you something about how well they treat their developers. It is pretty damning proof that you are wrong actually.

I am not saying that Microsoft is flawless. They make mistakes, but to imply that they only make mistakes is simply wrong. You act as if Nintendo and Sony do not have their share of failures. I assure you they do. Should we list off all the studios that Sony has closed and gutted. Perhaps list off all the exclusive third party games that pushed the developers into bankruptcy. The same holds true for Nintendo. Shall we list off all of peripherals that Nintendo in the end abandoned instantly, or perhaps point out some failed consoles.

To be honest Microsoft isn't doing a better or worse job then anyone else.