310°

Is Microsoft's Xbox 360 studio Rare next on the chopping block?

Gamer.Blorge: "A couple of days ago I wrote a story about how Microsoft announced the closure of one of its first party studio, Ensemble Studios. The stated reason behind this decision to close one of its studios was due to lack of scalability. In other words, Microsoft execs felt that Ensemble as a venture could not grow profitably. This raises an interesting question; could the same fate fall upon Rare as well?"

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gamer.blorge.com
DarkSniper6111d ago

This is more than likely to happen. Microsoft has been known to mismanage any studios that have been acquired by the corporation. Dark Sniper can personally state that the quality of Rare LTD. has been dwindled to nearly nothing after Microsoft's acquisition.

Rare's release will also further prove the notion that Xbox 360 is one step closer to throwing in the towel this generation to the far more superior PLAYSTATION®3. Once this does happen, Sony will surely find a sweet home for Rare. Killer Instinct 3 will receive the proper treatment it deserves for a next generation fighter once it comes to PLAYSTATION®3.

$niper

Drekken6111d ago

This gen?? I can see it throwing in the towel for next gen too.

DavidMacDougall6111d ago

You sound like a smart guy who owns a ps3

whoelse6111d ago

I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft own the big franchises from Rare.

Road Dog6111d ago

Nice job referring to yourself in the 3rd person...........get a life says Road Dog......jeez I can't get that pretentious meets vapid feel down like you.

GiantEnemyLobster6111d ago

Don't hold your breath on that thought. (Oh wait, you're a PStard so go ahead and hold your breath until you pass out and die.)

Rare would just go back to making games for Nintendo, they wouldn't waste their precious time and talent on a ShhitStation 3.

Nintendo Rep6111d ago

That's right they'll crawl right back to us, we will love them like a child we put up for adoption but later found out that he was adopted so he tried to find his parents and he finds them.

Pain6110d ago

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAH AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

typical Anything M$ touches turns to Sh!t

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 6110d ago
lodossrage6111d ago

You never know with this industry

But there are a lot of rumors saying Ensemble being dissolved was result from the price cut wave. Now the thing is there is nothing immediate that shows that was the reason for Ensemble's demise. But at the same time, there isn't any evidence to say Ensemble wasn't sacrificed for the price cut. So it's a mute point

Now if MS price cuts again and all of a sudden we see another game studio go away, then that'll be "proof"

But Rare would be the most likely candidate financially to be dissolved. Most of the other game studios within MS are more profitable than Rare. Rare's fate might be dependent on how Banjo sells. The thing is Viva Pinata both 1 and 2 are great games. But didn't sell well for all the work that was put into the series. So if Banjo sells the way the 2 Pinata games do, THEN Rare might be in trouble

Imallvol76111d ago

I don't think this story has any substance, but it would be in MS's best interest. NO MATTER HOW HARD YOU TRY MS, YOU ARE NOT AND WILL NEVER BE A CASUAL CONSOLE!!!

Kratos Spartan6111d ago

The xbox brand has established itself with the most hardcore of hardcore, and I don't think it can ever break away from that. Just my opinion. You don't have to like it, just respect it.

AAACE56111d ago

I believe you may not be looking at the big picture!

"MS will never be a casual console!" I know what you meant by saying that, but look closer.

On the surface you see MS (Xbox 360)as the company with FPS games. But what you fail to realize is that they are in fact targeting the casuals and kids.

If you look at Metacritic.com and compare games released and coming soom for 360 and Ps3... you will see that MS' main focus is attracting the casuals and kids. That was their plan for this holiday!

So while the (360 and Ps3) fanboys on N4G complain about exclusives... MS are getting the games that will have kids begging mommie and daddie (or santa claus) for a 360! I know it's hard for you to believe that but look at the facts. 360 is $200! They have a load of RPG's and other games targeted towards kids and casuals coming this year.

Yes, these games aren't exclusives, but the typical kid and casual gamers don't care about if a game is exclusive or not! They just go with the system that has the most games!

I remember when I had a N64, and I was trying to get people to buy one! The main answer I received was, " Yeah, it's cool, but the Ps1 has more games!" Last gen, it was the same thing. But instead it was the Ps2 that had more games!

Let's just accept the fact that Sony is trying to walk the path of Nintendo, meaning that they feel strongly about their first party games and other games are just fillers! MS is trying to walk the path of the Ps2, and wants the most games on their system!

While you are checking Metacritic.com, look at the amount of games the Ps1 and 2 had on their system and compare that to the N64, Gamecube and Xbox's amount of games! You will see that the system with the most games wins!

Compare all the stuff I pointed out before you disagree!

fishd6111d ago

just let ensemble go,don't kill them,just how you let Bungie to go,I want moar age of empires:(

IaMs126111d ago

im pretty sure they clearly stated Age of Empires and all its games are not dead, Ensemble is basicly forming a new studio being branched out across is what i have heard is the plans...

Raoh6111d ago

hmmm i would think they would cut their failing studios first..

like Microsof Game Studios..

cut the losses there first.. Then shut down your manufacturing plants.. if need be maybe the P.R. staff as well..

keep the marketing company though, they are doing an outstanding job

Show all comments (64)
120°

Xbox June Update: Copilot for Gaming Available on Mobile, Aggregated Gaming Library, and More

There are many exciting updates this month for Xbox. Copilot for Gaming is available now for early preview on mobile and will be coming to PC soon. Xbox PC app introduces a wave of new updates: Aggregated gaming library gives players quick access to games from Xbox, Game Pass, and other leading PC storefronts, and with publisher channels players can browse their favorite franchises. Updates for the Xbox Console includes customization for Most Recently Used, free-to-play benefits, Game Hubs, and dialog improvements for game saves.

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news.xbox.com
darthv729h ago

"Players can now hide system apps, pin favorites to the list, and reduce the number of tiles displayed. This update is part of our ongoing effort to make Home more personal, flexible, and responsive to feedback."

This is welcomed, i like a less cluttered home screen.

Profchaos4h ago

Not everything needs co pilot ms

120°

Playdead co-founder slammed with lawsuit as bitter row with co-founder escalates

Playdead co-founder Dino Patti is allegedly being sued by his former studio and business partner.
Patti was threatened with a lawsuit earlier this year after he posted a now-deleted LinkedIn post that shared an "unauthorized" picture of co-founder Arnt Jensen and discussed some of Limbo's development. Patti said Jensen demanded a little over $73,000 in "suitable compensation and reimbursement," adding that he had "repeatedly" had such letters over the last nine years.

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gamesindustry.biz
70°

Interview: Plants vs. Zombies Composer Talks Charm, Humor, and Musical Mayhem

Game Rant interviews Plants vs. Zombies composer Peter McConnell about honoring the series’ quirky roots, adapting its themes, and now going vinyl.

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gamerant.com
VenomUK5d ago

The score for the first Plants Vs Zombies is such great, iconic music that it has a timeless quality. Not quite the level of Minecraft, but wonderful in its own right.