Phil Spencer’s Email to Microsoft and Ensemble Employees
By Stephany on Wednesday, September 10th, 2008 at 8:40 AM PST In Computer, Gamer Life, Games, Games Industry, Microsoft, Microsoft
We are all aware of the impending closure of Ensemble Studios, but what we have not heard is Microsoft Game Studios head honcho Phil Spencer’s take on this. Therefore, I will post the email he sent to Microsoft and Ensemble Studios employees in full, which says it better than I can reiterate.
“Today, we shared with our employees at Ensemble that we have plans to close the studio after Halo Wars RTM. Such a decision is never easy. Like any business, we’re accountable for making tradeoffs and the right level of investments that will drive profit and future growth. However, as we reviewed our first-party portfolio and where we need to invest and divest our resources to achieve our long-term strategies, it became clear to us that closing the studio and redeploying those resources to other more scalable ventures is the right thing for our business at this time.
Unfortunately, our decision to close Ensemble will adversely impact many of the studio’s team members. Following the closure, the Ensemble leadership team will form a new entity and have agreed to partner with Microsoft to develop future products and provide support for Halo Wars post launch. While the new company will be hiring a portion of the Ensemble employees, its size and resources prevent it from offering positions to the entire Ensemble team. We hope to integrate much of this creative talent into MGS or the broader IEB team, where we have relevant openings.
Ensemble Studios has produced many notable games over the years – including the Ages franchise – that have helped MGS become a leader in interactive entertainment. And now, Halo Wars is already proving to be a hit by people who have seen and played early versions of the game. The Ensemble team is committed to continuing its development, testing and support of Halo Wars through to the completion of halo wars. We’re also working closely with the studio’s leaders to ensure a smooth launch of the game in early 2009 and continuing support thereafter. We will support the studio in every way possible as they work to deliver this highly anticipated game.
This action notwithstanding, I want to emphasize that the overall investment Microsoft is making in video game development is not diminished, and we will continue to bring in talent to work on titles and franchises where we’ll see the most ROI. Our priority is to continue to nurture the creative freedom that allows us to successfully drive our business strategy forward. Meanwhile, we’re launching some outstanding games over the next few months. We’ve just launched Too Human and Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise, and soon we’ll see many other games hit retail store shelves, including Scene It! 2, Fable 2, Gears of War 2, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts, Lips and, of course, Halo Wars.
I want to thank you for your hard work and focus as we head into the next few months and make this a blowout year for first-party games. Please be supportive and respectful of our Ensemble colleagues as they go through this tough time.
Phil
Thanks: GI.biz
I like how he turns the message into an advert for upcoming 360 releases. Classy.
@Norbit
Did Microsoft rape your mom or something? Where does this intolerable hatred for them come from? Honestly…..it’s getting old.
Go Marlins!!!!
I dont hate Microsoft at all. WTF is wrong with you? Why do YOU hate me you prick?
@Norbit
I am not hating on you, I am asking you a question. And even when it appears that I am being mean to you it is just that I am calling you on your bullshit…..try not to take it so personally.
Go Marlins!!!!
Seriously ManOfTeal why dont you try actually having a discussion about the subject or commenting on the actually post instead of trolling and childishly attacking me at every opportunity?
I couldn’t give a shit what company wrote this. The fact they turned a press release about closing a studio into an advert is disgusting.
@Norbit
I think you are mistaking advertising with crisis management. It’s a Public Relations move to divert your attention away from the negativitiy surrounding the studio closing.
Go Marlins!!!
@ ManOfTeal
The vast majority of posts I have made on this site were made discussing the topic in hand. Sure, many of those posts are highly opinionated and sometimes provocative but they are all pretty much relevant to the discussion.
On the other hand pretty much every single reply you have written to my posts has completely ignored the topic and instead has simply attacked me.
It would appear you have neither the ability nor inclination to debate or discuss therefore I have absolutely no more time for you.
@Norbit
Apparently you did not even read my last post on this very topic…….either that or you completely ignored it……
Because if you had read it you would notice that I was making a counterpoint to what you said about this being an advertisment…….your last comment attacking me instead of responding to my last comment pretty much negated any credibility you may have had on this subject……..talk about “classy.”
Go Marlins!!!!
Stop the Flame wars please. But yes, norbit has a point, why mention all those games and hype them if the letter is intended to microsoft and ensemble employees?
Why would MS even think about closing a studio before one of MS’s their major games is delivered? I have a feeling that the final stages of development of Halo Wars is going to be SEVERELY crippled after this announcement.
Yeh, this will probbably cause issues for the Halo Wars release, at least indirectly… I mean, who’s going to work hard knowing as soon as it’s done your out of a job? Great motivational techinique there, Microsoft.
And Norbit was right, Teal… that press release was shameful.