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Forums - Microsoft - Microsoft buys game developer BigPark to beef up Xbox 360 offering

Coca-Cola on 07 May 2009

http://venturebeat.com/2009/05/07/investing-in-xbox-360-microsoft-buys-game-developer/

It’s not hard to see why Microsoft decided to buy BigPark. Don Mattrick, head of the games division, owns a piece of BigPark and helped it get off the ground. Many of BigPark’s leaders go back to Distinctive Software, a company that Mattrick co-founded in the 1980s and sold to Electronic Arts in 1991. Microsoft said that Mattrick’s investment in BigPark was fully disclosed and the decision to buy BigPark was consistent with Microsoft’s code of conduct. Only individuals were investors in BigPark.

BigPark has 50 employees. It was founded in 2007 by Wil Mozell, Erik Kiss, Hanno Lemke and Mattrick (before he became Microsoft’s game chief). The team had worked for EA’s Vancouver studio on big hits such as “Need for Speed,” “FIFA Soccer,” “NBA Street,” and “SSX.”  Big Park will be part of Microsoft Game Studios and continue work on an exclusive Xbox 360 game. One of the games will be showcased at E3 in June.

Good move?



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dsister44 on 07 May 2009

good for them, they nreally needed more first party studios.



outlawauron on 07 May 2009

If they want to beef up their first party line up, then why did they sell so many studios?



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dsister44 on 07 May 2009
outlawauron said:
If they want to beef up their first party line up, then why did they sell so many studios?



they didnt sell any of them. it closed down both ensemble and fasa. and bungie told ms that if they didnt let them go most of them would leave.



yungmagic09 on 07 May 2009

Can't wait to see what is shown at E3.



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outlawauron on 07 May 2009
dsister44 said:
outlawauron said:
If they want to beef up their first party line up, then why did they sell so many studios?

they didnt sell any of them. it closed down both ensemble and fasa. and bungie told ms that if they didnt let them go most of them would leave.

They released them away then and were subsequently picked up by other publishers.

Bioware and Pandemic to EA.

Bizarre Creations to Activision.

Bungie is independent.

Ensemble shut down.



"We'll toss the dice however they fall,
And snuggle the girls be they short or tall,
Then follow young Mat whenever he calls,
To dance with Jak o' the Shadows."

Check out MyAnimeList and my Game Collection. Owner of the 5 millionth post.

Coca-Cola on 07 May 2009

Microsoft buys a studio that was founded in 2007.
Big Park must be working on an awesome game or something.
Wonder what game will be revealed from this stuio at E3.
Any ideas?



dsister44 on 07 May 2009
outlawauron said:
dsister44 said:
outlawauron said:
If they want to beef up their first party line up, then why did they sell so many studios?

they didnt sell any of them. it closed down both ensemble and fasa. and bungie told ms that if they didnt let them go most of them would leave.

They released them away then and were subsequently picked up by other publishers.

Bioware and Pandemic to EA.

Bizarre Creations to Activision.

Bungie is independent.

Ensemble shut down.

 

 

well, bioware or bizarre were never owned by microsoft they were just close 2nd party. like insomniac and sucker punch are for sony



dsister44 on 07 May 2009
Coca-Cola said:
Microsoft buys a studio that was founded in 2007.
What games did Big Park make?
Wonder what game will be revealed from this stuio at E3.
Any ideas?

 

 

they made a couple web games. but they are making a game that will "broaden the 360s audience" and it will be showed at e3



Coca-Cola on 07 May 2009

Big park website  says that they are hiring.
BigPark is an interactive online entertainment company founded in 2007 by a group of passionate gaming veterans who have worked together for over 20 years, and have led the creation and growth of two very successful software companies.

"We create the best 15 minutes of your day .  .  . anytime, anywhere"