I think this is a clever move for MS - while I primarily know Deck13 from their P&C adventures phase, first game I've played that they've tried to diversify with was Venetica, not very good game that I liked more for potential than for its execution...haven't got around Lords of the Fallen yet, but overall, they're average developers that might have bright future with MS money.

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised to see more of this happening - for what it seems to be years now I'm wondering why haven't anyone bought Piranha Bytes, given how small they are, and yet with PC cult classic Gothic IP under their belt (not that I want this to happen, potentially making their future games never coming to PC ).

Lords of the Fallen was a decent game. Not my type of game, but you could see the potential.

But this just looks like an announcement of 4 indie games, that might be timed exclusive at best, because surely they would have used the word "exclusive" instead of "official".

Lol, this thread went south fast.

Btw. I just checked that studios website and they've been awarded the studio of the year award by the German Developer Awards 2014, kinda goes to show how poor germanys game industry is.

Good move Microsoft!

This.

I liked Venetica, Even if the Game had some flaws (Bugs EVERYWHERE!). It was a fun game. Other than that, Deck 13 never released sonething I would call better than mediocre. But who knows, they might come up with good games in the future, let's wait and See. I won't get them though, as I'm not planning to get an X1. Pity, because Deck 13 is from Frankfurt, same as me. I would love to support local developers, but yeah... Also quite strange as the X1 barely sells here in germany.

Well, whatever.

I don't know about that, as a P&C adventure gamer I'd be pretty starved if it wasn't for German devs.

Dr.Vita said: Good move from Microsoft, this studio could be the From Software of Microsoft!

Last I checked... making games that copies From Software does not make you From Software...But yea, good move by Microsoft. I just hold a very high place for From Software. They made 4 AAA games from 2008 to now, and each game's gameplay is like 50 hours long. 

I've always thought Germany has a respectable set of developers/publishers.

Deep Silver have been doing interesting things for a while now, and Kalypso Media I quite like too thanks to the Tropico games (and they just seem to be committing to PS4, which is nice).  Not as hot on developers, but Yager are okay are Realmforge finally got things right with Dungeons 2.  Plus Nintendo fans are always going on about Shin'en like they're really special (haven't played any of their stuff myself).

OT: This whole ID@Xbox thing confuses me.  The title of this thread confused me too, I thought it was bigger news than it was.  Still, that Sky Arena game looks alright.

people expected 4 big budget games...but in the end anything is welcome