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Ex-Ensemble devs working on new Microsoft project

Robot Entertainment announces new projects in the works--one to be published by former corporate masters.

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When Ensemble Studios was shut down by owner Microsoft in September 2008, its staff splintered into several startup studios, including Windstorm and Bonfire. Now one of those spin-offs, Robot Entertainment, is making a new project for its former corporate masters.

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On its official Web site, the nascent studio declared that "Robot Entertainment is currently hard at work on a new game. This game will be published by Microsoft Game Studios. Additional details have not yet been announced." The company also announced it is working on a second project for an unidentified publisher.

Though the company is staying mum on the games' genres, there are some indicators as to what they might be. Ensemble specialized in the real-time strategy genre and published some highly rated titles in the sector, including Age of Empires and Age of Mythology. Its last project was Halo Wars, although it also worked on the stillborn $90 million Halo massively multiplayer project.

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Salticid

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I hope they'll develop AoE IV. It would be nice to have custom build world of wonder in our own ways and to our styles. I also hope they'll include more American Native tribes like Shawnee and Vikings. I don't want to see houses in similar shapes and sizes in each nation.

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Kajerlius

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ok,a good idea

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Halloll

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it's a social game

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JGMRACING

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I am really hoping for Age of Empires 4: World of War... It would be awesome to be able to play a good RTS about World War I & World War II. And you can command the United States Army, German Army, every army that was in the wars. And you could use Sherman M4 A1s and Panzers. Anybody who agrees thumbs up.

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dariushir2002

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i love age of empires and age of mythology i like play age of 4 or age of mythology 2

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tsiper

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Halo wars 2 would be so awesome! Halo wars is a great great game!

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steelmouth

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wow halo wars 2 getting a lot of love here,mybe i should try it i never did that because an not an rts person nyhow its great to hear news of a new game on the x360 and a non shooter game for that so here is to hoping for a great non halo non gears non shooter x360 game

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Nodashi

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@jad206 Thing is, it doesn't matter to you, but it does matter when you're comparing the old and more recent titles from ensemble to see how they are evolving or, in this case, derailing - and that's what I was doing.

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24k_Solid_Gold

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Sweet! If it's from Ensemble, it has to be awesome. :)

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MacenKrace

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@DJSeth227 Really, Halo wars would've been a hit on the PC, but on the 360 I prefer RDR, Gears and Halo 3/ODST. I either can't handle RTS with a controller in my hand or it was just really, really weird.

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jad206

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@Nodashi It doesn't matter if it doesn't compare to a PC RTS, I never play pc RTs, and Halo Wars is hands down the BEST RTS for the Xbox..

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SpiritOfFire117

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@Welshmun I already have a life, but thanks for your kind concern. ;)

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fett283

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I never understood why Microsoft shut down Ensemble but hopefully some, all, or at least one of these new start-up studios can get up and bring us a new (and good) RTS. Personally hoping for an AOE4 going from the Stone Age up to maybe where we were in the third one. And also a more historical campaign than AOE3 more like AOE. lol but still its nice to see that wee can see their work in the future still after what I consider to be a great blunder that Microsoft made.

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DJSeth227

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Id like a new Halo wars . im 100,000 points for general so not done with the first. @MacenKrace wow seriously comparing a RTS to a FPS and a Third Person Shooter, and just because you diddnt manage to win in a RTS which was simple. dosent mean that it sucks. Hate the Player Not the game. Back to topic if its near any quality of Ensemble it will be worth every dime(Now please Robot Entertainment dont make me seem stupid by making stupid =D)

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Vaultboy-101

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I would like another age of empires. Theose games were always awesome. We need a good RTS.

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dinuattila

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Age of Mythology 2? That'd be a dream come true! But, sadly, I think it is going to stay just a myth. :(

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Spartan_418

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I wouldn't mind a Halo Wars 2 as long as it was made less noob-friendly with more depth. That's probably not what this is, though. Oh and by the way Halo Wars definitely is a "real" RTS, just the fact that it's on a console and is somewhat simplistic doesn't disqualify it as such. Was still a good game imo.

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Shantmaster_K

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I miss Ensemble they were a good company. cant wait to see what the new company will do!

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Kulcan

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Age of Mythology 2 would be awesome *-*

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andrew_ribbons

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Hope it's for PC! :3

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Shardz7

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Ensemble has put out some staple benchmark RTS games that have helped defined the genre and have provided so many with memorable games with friends that are legendary to this very day. I would have to say that sticking them on this Halo project, as talented as they are, is like putting Sid Meyers in charge of Duke Nukem Forever. The PC gaming community needs Ensemble back with a new generation RTS title that will show the rest how it is done. Now put down those XBox controllers and get crackin' with the good stuff!

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MacenKrace

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Are they sure about this? Halo wars was a disappointment from all points of view... Anything to top off Gears or Halo is not yet possible. I'm gonna stick with those 2 hits.

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deactivated-64efdf49333c4

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At least it's not a shooter. These days when I read shooter in the topic...I just stop reading. Too many shooters.

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RE3_UBCS

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AoM2. Would be a dream come true.

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gogly

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Why in the world would they close down the company that is responsible for the greatest RTS of all-time (Age of empires)

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ColdfireTrilogy

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i really hope it isnt anything halo related. make something new for heavens sake. There are a million and one different games they could make that dont have to suck the empty udders of the dang halo franchise anymore than has already been done this decade....

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Vaultboy-101

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Halo wars 2 i reckon. I hope they make it heaps better with the graphics and everything more like the early demo for Halo wars.

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Nodashi

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@Jad206 I don't mean to be rude, but RTS titles for consoles never achieved the "playable" as non-freeware games in my book. It's not about fanboy-ism, it's just they never developed a good way to emulate the mouse-keyboard control on controllers. I'd sure love to play a really good RTS on my couch. That said, being the best RTS for a given console is really a non-issue. You can't really compare Halo Wars to any REAL RTS, like Age of Empires I and II, Command & Conquer& Red Alert (the first ones), Total Annililation, Starcraft, Warcraft I, II and III, etc... and since Starcraft II is about to launch, it's not like a minor RTS product should have attention from us, discerning consumers :)

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MarcJL31

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I really want AOE 4. I loved AOE 3 and with SupCom 2 disappointing me, I need a RTS to keep me busy.

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ThAdEa82

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RTS on console isnt the same as on the PC. I dont advocate PC usually, but it has the edge until there is a mouse for the xbox

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RyuRanVII

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It's a RTS called Spartan, probably an Age of Mythology 2 without the mythology, more history focused.

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SpiritOfFire117

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I wouldn't mind a Halo Wars 2.

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danyjr

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Age of Empires IV, but please, I wanna start from STONE AGE again, like AoE and AoE2. Age of Mythology II would also be great. I loved the story of the first one.

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tommynj

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Speaking of AOM, we ever goign to see another Age of Mythology ?

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jad206

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@Nodashi Halo Wars is the BEST RTS on Xbox. Sure anyone can be "GOOD" at it, but it's hard to be great, kinda like CoD?

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Nodashi

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So they used to make great games, then made the mediocre age of mythology, then the god awfull Halo Wars... why is it even news? I wanna stay far from that studio's projects :P

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Arronaxxx

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I don't get it: what was the point of letting the Ensemble Studios go, only to hire them again later, but under a different name.

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hzafary

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Please remake the best game of all time AOE II with updated graphics and a version for the xbox 360 :) :) :)

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IanEnglebach

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Halo Wars 2 would be great. Although I would love to see the Halo MMO.

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zodiackilla

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how aout aoe3 for xbox360 very nice

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BornGamer

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One of the games will be an RTS called Spartan. << LINK REMOVED >>

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BornGamer

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[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

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N0tYrBeezin

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Age of Mythological Empire 1 please!

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Lias444

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hopefully its aom 2 or halo wars 2.

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Tentaculat

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AoM2 would be sweet. Halo wars 2 would also be sweet...no wait...I think I meant would suck...yeah suck...all these words with "s" confuse me.

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TheGreatmars

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i've read somewhere on a forum that AOE will be 5 game series across different eras but i am not sure about...

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ItchyIsVegeta

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HALO WARS 2!!!! PLEASE LET IT BE!!!!

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KidRapper

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AoE IV! Yeaaaaaah!

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RasAlgethi28

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Age of Empires 4!

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