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Archive for March, 2009

10
Mar

David Rippy head of Bonfire “Ensemble was a victim of its own success.” “Next game wont be an RTS; wont be published by Microsoft”

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Bonfire Studios head David Rippy (ex Ensemble management) has revealed his thoughts on the Ensemble closure relating the to Microsoft never green lighting projects outside the RTS genre resulting in the studio being pigeonholed with RTS games. Rippy went on to discuss Bonfire Studios and that the first game they will make would not be an RTS game and that it would not be published by Microsoft.

This will be the first time the ex-Ensemble team will have worked together on a game outside of the RTS genre and we will finally see what else they are capable of. No doubt it its exciting times within the studio and we wish them the best of luck. Keep with us for all the updates of the upcoming “too hot to handle” game.  – any guesses on the platform?  Word on the street is that alot of Ensemble people are playing around with iPhones.. could that be the next platform?

You can read the full informative article here: http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/ensemble-studios-victim-of-its-own-success-bonfir and is well worth the read

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10
Mar

Care for some Halo Wars concept art?

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Kotaku have bags of unseen Halo Wars concept art right here: http://www.kotaku.com.au/games/2009/03/ensemble_says_goodbye_with_halo_wars_concept_art-2.html 
It will probably be the last concept art you’ll see from Ensemble Studios. Interested folks might want to check out other concept art for unreleased Ensemble games here: 
http://remember-ensemblestudios.com/?p=229

 

Some of these concept arts are wallpaper worthy!

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8
Mar

Official Xbox Magazine talks to Dave Pottinger about Halo Wars and Robot Entertainment

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Official Xbox Magazine (OXM) has interviewed Dave Pottinger who was the lead designer at Ensemble Studios and who has now joined the Robot Entertainment entity of ex-Ensemble employees as lead designer.

You can  listen to the podcast here: http://www.oxmpodcast.com/?p=184 Dave is on at 40:00 onwards. Discussing things like the fatality system and Y-abilities that didnt make it to the final Halo Wars build and why there was no Covenant campaign.

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7
Mar

IGN talks to Stephen Rippy

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In an informative interview you can find out information on how Halo Wars was recorded and more thoughts from Stephen about the soundtrack:

Link: http://uk.music.ign.com/articles/960/960175p1.html

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3
Mar

Ensemble says its final goodbye. Halo Wars credits

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Special thanks go to Joystiq who today posted the video of the heart-felt credits to Halo Wars. For those who haven’t yet seen the Halo Wars credits it contains the final goodbye from Ensemble Studios thanking fans for the support over the last 12 years. The credits also contain shout outs from everyone who worked on the game (thats everyone in the studio.) Many shout outs honour their family but also thank Ensemble and Tony Goodman for creating a great place to work.

It is clear from these messages that there was genuine love for working at the Studio and demonstrates the number of real people affected by Microsoft’s sad decision to close the studio.

You can watch the credits here: 

http://www.zergwatch.com/Newsfeed-115760/halo-wars-includes-final-farewell-from-ensemble-studios.html

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3
Mar

Halo Wars Universe expanded part 2 now online

This time focusing on the Halo Wars characters and the role they play in the Halo Wars expierence. Check it out here on Xbox.com:

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http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/viewer.aspx?productId=1898&assetTypeId=2&shotId=10

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3
Mar

Halo Wars is number 1 in Xbox 360 chart!

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Halo Wars is number 1 in the Xbox 360 charts as tracked by ELSPA. The full Xbox 360 charts can be found below – congrats to Ensemble!

1. (-) Halo Wars (Microsoft)
2. (1) Street Fighter IV (Capcom)
3. (3) Sega Mega Drive Ultimate Collection (Sega)
4. (-) Silent Hill: Homecoming (Konami)
5. (4) Call Of Duty: World At War (Activision Blizzard)
6. (6) Grand Theft Auto IV (Take 2)
7. (2) Race Pro (Atari)
8. (7) FIFA 09 (Electronic Arts)
9. (14) Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Activision Blizzard)
10. (9) 50 Cent: Blood On The Sand (THQ)

Leisure software charts compiled by Chart Track, (C) 2008 ELSPA Ltd

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