Microsoft and Epic Games Marriage

Site Admin Joined: 17 May 2003 Posts: 0

Peoii earlier reported that there were rumors of Epic and Microsoft signing some sort of deal... however, it's not just a rumor, sadly. Here's the official press release:
MICROSOFT AND EPIC GAMES SIGN PUBLISHING AGREEMENT Epic Games and Scion Studios to Create Exclusive Xbox and Windows Games, To Be Published By Microsoft Game Studios JUAN-LES-PINS, France, 16th September 2003 —Tonight at X03, Microsoft announced a partnership with Epic Games, developers of the legendary Unreal® series of games and the Unreal® Engine. Epic Games and its recently-formed Scion Studios will develop several new games exclusively for Xbox and Windows. The to-be-announced products will be published by Microsoft Game Studios. Founded 12 years ago by Tim Sweeney and Mark Rein, industry veterans who continue to bring experience and leadership to the company, Epic is a technology leader and one of the top independent game development studios in the world. To date more than 10 million games based on the Unreal Engine, which uses state-of-the-art 3D technology, have been shipped. "We're looking forward to working with Epic, one of the industry's most respected and successful games developers," said Ed Fries, vice president of Xbox game content. "Their games have thrilled millions of gamers around the world. Epic and Microsoft have technology leadership in common - the titles they are developing for Xbox will use the power of the console to deliver cutting-edge gaming experiences." "We're delighted to be working with Microsoft " said Jay Wilbur, Vice President Business Affairs (and Spiritual Advisor), Epic Games, "We feel strongly that, in partnership with Microsoft, Epic Games and Scion Studios will provide gamers with spectacular entertainment on Xbox and Windows platforms."I've already found a lot of people to be very perturbed by this, because Microsoft is being seen as the Empire once again. Some things about it just seem like unwise choices for Epic... after all, how many UT2003 servers are run on Linux? And what about the Mac users who want to add some Unreal to their lives? Will Epic abandon their non-user bases at the insitence of their new masters, or will they be true to their fans? Your comments and thoughts are wanted.

UO Noob Joined: 04 Jun 2003 Posts: 41 Location: Portugal

Halo-like deals anyone?
x-box getting all the new games and (if we're lucky) 3 years later we'll see a PC port of these games.

Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2003 1:21 pm

Here is the link to the thread:
http://www.ina-community.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=317893

Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2003 1:48 pm

You guys, all it says is that there's going to be some games released exclusively for XBox, kinda like Championship was console exclusive, not that ALL future releases are going to be. You're reading too much into that press release. We'll still get 2k4, 2k5 etc. Rolling Eyes

Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2003 2:15 pm

oooh crap but I still don't like it... you all know what happened to HALO Crying or Very sad

Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2003 2:59 pm

Nope: all it says is 'exclusively for XBox and windows' Razz

UO Noob Joined: 03 Sep 2003 Posts: 14

Just take Cliff's advice...

I mean, if you believe the forums, I'm unemployed and homeless since Atari is "out of business" because of this deal. Shocked

Give me a break!

Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2003 4:25 pm

lol

I gotta agree here, it's not like their saying that it's going to be the death of the other franchises they're running, just that a few STILL UNNAMED games are going to be done for MS...

Though it's interesting how people keep mentioning Linux only in the server arena.... bah to those people (cliffyb included) I say...... Ever stop to think people actually play UT2k3 and UT in linux? Smile

I know I do. And as I just mentioned to someone, my whole hearted concern with this would be that a great future title (say...... Jazz Jackrabbit 3D? Razz

) would be released for windows and xbox only.... Now see, that'd be a true pity.

Guest

good to hear!

MS partner ship means lots of exciting support & MONEY!
but it would be a shame if they ..eventually lean on epic to drop support to linux (i use ut2003 & ut for linux) and was very impressed with epics flexiable approach and self belief, I just hope the MS crew don't destroy epics character, cause i like what they done so far Wink

Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2003 4:27 pm

Point being that I doubt any of the existing franchises are going to disappear. It's going to be future titles from everything I read (not reading between the lines). So I wouldn't worry to much about the UT franchise.

Guest

You can kiss those FREE Bonus packs good-bye...I just hope the whole franchise isn't destroyed !!!

Irix WAnnabe Joined: 22 Jun 2003 Posts: 122

All I wanted to hear was that the Linux servers aren't dead. And Cliffy has said that so I'm happy.
The rest of it is no stress. The Evil Empire stuff doesn't bother me... MS tends to release good quality games (with a few exceptions).

As long as their Windows games don't get "Bungied", and there is no hint that they will, then there are no problems.

PS, and saying Bonus Packs wont be free is just silly. You have no information to say that at all.

UO Noob Joined: 04 Jun 2003 Posts: 41 Location: Portugal

Let me answer that with this:

Atari Announces Distribution Deal with Microsoft

Atari, Inc. has entered into a licensing agreement with Microsoft Game Studios under which Atari will be the exclusive U.S. jewel case distributor for select Windows titles developed by Microsoft Game Studios.
Under the terms of the agreement, which extends through June 2006, Atari will republish and distribute jewel case versions of several best-selling Microsoft Game Studios titles, including: Age of Empires -- Gold Edition, Microsoft Flight Simulator'98, Links LS 2000, Combat Flight Simulator -- WWII Europe Series, Pandora's Box, Bicycle Casino, Bicycle Card Games, Bicycle Board Games, Crimson Skies, Starlancer and Pinball Arcade.

"We're delighted to expand our relationship with Microsoft Game Studios in this manner and to add this group of products to our distribution line-up," said Ezra Chen, Vice President, Product Acquisition for Atari, Inc. "The combination of Microsoft's strong titles with Atari's distribution network should yield great results for both companies."

"Atari's widespread distribution allows us to extend the lifecycle of great products, giving consumers additional opportunities to experience some of the industry's strongest franchises," said Ed Ventura, Director, Microsoft Game Studios. "We recognize the importance and the potential of the value-priced games category, and Atari is the ideal partner to offer our games in the U.S. market."

There's some weird stuff going on out there

Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2003 9:23 pm

when someone classified as an UO noob is telling some Atari worker about the future of his job and Microsoft is in it all then deffinitely something is not right