Upon completion of the XBOX 360 title Halo Wars Microsoft has decided to close Ensemble Studios. Created in 1995 and bought by Microsoft in 2001, Ensemble Studios created the Age of Empire series containing 4 separate games with multiple expansions.
The original Age of Empires was the computer game that originally got me into the real time strategy (RTS) games. The second game improved upon the first, adding in a slew of new races, classes, and game play, creating an even more immersive experience. The third title in the series came out in the Fall of 2005, during my first semester of college, the single player experience was nothing like I had ever experienced in an RTS, characters I actually cared about tied with unparalleled game play; game play that has only recently been rivaled by Ironclad Games Sins of a Solar Empire.
Age of Empires
The decision to close Ensemble Studios was announced to the studio on September 9, 2008. When Microsoft was asked why they were closing the studio no exact answer was given. Speculation leads many to believe that the operating cost of Ensemble was more per person than any other Microsoft studio. Other believe that they were purchased only as a means to acquire the license to Age of Empires. Whatever the reason may be this is a sad day for the video game industry. The quality of products that Ensemble turned out was of the highest quality that you can find and I am sure that this quality will continue when Halo Wars is released next quarter.
Age of Empires 3
I doubt that any Ensemble Studios employee will read this, but I would like to give them a heartfelt thanks for the many hours of entertainment that they have provided me over the years. The studio has not only provided me with a great single player experience, but it was one of the few computer games my brother and I were able to bond over. For that Ensemble Studio, thank you.
