ensemble-studios
Latest
Halo Wars demo now accepting recruits via the XBLM
For the past hour, we've been pacing back and forth, waiting for the content to become available. We're sure you've been doing that same anxious pacing. But the wait is over and, from high atop our blogger soapbox (which makes us feel Elite-sized in height), we're pleased to announce that a Halo Wars demo is now available for download off the Xbox Live Marketplace. Cue thunderous applause and Grunt birthday party-like cheers!The free 1.4GB Halo Wars demo download will give curious (Gold subscriber) gamers a chance to test Ensemble Studios' innovative console RTS controls through a portion of the game -- including a smattering of lovely cutscenes. Enough talk, get to downloading already.%Gallery-23398%
Toys 'R' Us, GameStop get Halo Wars figs this month
McFarlane Toys has announced that Toys 'R' Us, GameStop and an unnamed third retailer will be exclusively selling the company's new line of Halo Wars figures early. The three retailers will begin selling three different 3-packs of the figurines sometime this month, while other retailers will begin selling the toys after the Halo Wars launch in March. Each of the three "First Look" retailers will have an exclusive 3-pack on offer, each containing three 2½ inch UNSC or Covenant figures. McFarlane announced late last year that each pack will priced from $9.99 to $11.99. Find out where each pack will be available in the list below. TBA -- UNSC TROOPS (Blue)1 Spartan (with assault rifle) 1 Marine Infantry (with assault rifle) 1 Spartan (with dual magnums) Toys "R" Us -- UNSC TROOPS (Red)1 Spartan (with dual magnums) 1 Spartan (with assault rifle) 1 Marine Infantry (with assault rifle) GameStop -- COVENANT TROOPS (Purple)2 Elites (with Plasma rifles)1 Grunt (with Needler)
Build your own war with licensed Halo Wars Mega Bloks
Here's an interesting business partnership to consider. MEGA Brands and Microsoft Game Studios have entered into an agreement to manufacture officially licensed Halo Wars Mega Bloks construction toys. You read correctly: Halo Wars construction toys that are said to include "iconic characters and vehicles of the video game." You know, things like Warthogs, Spartans and (dare we get too excited) Grunts. Our only worry about the Halo edition of Mega Bloks is that they'll look too much like Mega's current "kid friendly" offerings. If they're a bit more manly, we have no qualms about buying ourselves a Halo construction toy.Halo Wars Mega Bloks construction sets are coming to a retailer near you, Summer 2009.
Halo Wars ViDoc 2 explains why Spartans, Scarabs are awesome
It's not like we really needed an explanation. Oh sure, it's nice to hear the folks behind Halo Wars discussing why the various units are all so cool, but it's another thing altogether to watch a Scarab literally burn its way through a screaming army of marines, or to see a Spartan slam an Elite to the ground and subsequently kick it in the head. The fact that this much detail is present in a game that's played from a bird's eye view only makes it that much more impressive. But enough gab: Watch (and then be sad).
Closing Time: Ensemble's unannounced titles revealed
Cue the Semisonic, folks. After nearly 15 years, Dallas-based strategy developer Ensemble Studios has closed its doors for good. While its library of classic releases are well known to gamers worldwide, a host of concept images for unannounced games were spotted during a recent studio tour by Gamasutra. Among the titles left to collect dust with so many cardboard boxes are a fantasy-adventure RPG called Sorcerer, a platformer called Bam and a game described as "Diablo in space," called Nova. Also revealed in the tour was a concept for a game named Phoenix, which would eventually become the upcoming RTS Halo Wars. Fun fact: Phoenix is a regularly used codename by Bungie Studios according to its official podcast, but Ensemble's use of the name was purely coincidental. It isn't completely bad news for some of Ensemble's former staff, as many will help establish a new studio headed by Ensemble co-founder Tony Goodman. As big fans of the Age of Empires series, we here at Joystiq wish everyone leaving Ensemble Studios the very best of luck and continued success with future projects. [Via BigDownload]
The Halo MMO: What could have been
In an interesting article at Gamasutra, the last days of Ensemble Studios are chronicled to honor the mega studio and what they once were. Regardless of the titles that put them on the map, the studio had some great games in the works. One such game was the Halo MMO, which was confirmed late last year. The project -- codenamed Orion -- has been in the works, in one form or another, since 1998.According to the article, this project was to be the new focus of the company. There was even a brand new facility being built to house the development of the game. The construction of that building suddenly stopped one day, and Microsoft informed the team that they would be closing down operations. The project originally known as Titan was no more. Check out the entire three-page article for more on the last days of Ensemble Studios.
'Best of Halo' Xbox 360 console: Now with more box art
We can't think of a better way to start the work week than with a few high-res photos of the European exclusive Best of Halo Xbox 360 bundle. Believe us, we tried. Galleried below are the three console box shots, which include full frontal, corner angled and the textual backside. Just try not to drool on your keyboard.%Gallery-43653%
Joyswag: Win one of five 'Halo Wars' demo codes
[Emails have been sent out! Check your inbox and/or spam folder. Thanks for entering, everyone!]Since the beginning of time, man has attempted to unlock the secrets of two ancient mysteries: 1) The meaning of life and 2) how the hell you make an RTS both intuitive and enjoyable using a console controller. On February 5, Halo Wars will attempt to answer the second of life's greatest mysteries when a demo for the title releases on the Xbox Live Marketplace. Will it succeed where others have failed or will it too suffer a tragic fate of mediocrity? We don't know, but this week you have a chance to find out by winning an advanced code for the demo courtesy of Jade, Jake and the entire Xbox Canada Community Blog. Here's how you win: Leave a comment conveying your completely accurate (even though you've never played it) review of the Halo Wars demo. You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the US or Canada (excluding Quebec) Limit 1 entry per person This entry period ends at 5:00PM EST, today (February 2, 2008). We'll randomly select 5 winners at that time to receive an Xbox Live Marketplace code to download the demo of Halo Wars (ARV: $0.00). Please check your e-mail! For a list of complete rules, click here
Ensemble co-founder says goodbye as studio closes
Today Ensemble Studios co-founder Bruce Shelley wrote his final blog for the company, which is set to shut its doors forever now that work on Halo Wars is complete. Shelley said that "about 60%" of the staff that worked on the first Age of Empires title stayed with the company for its entire lifespan, making for some mixed emotions during the studio's final week. "Boxes are piled in the hallways for trash; people are giving away games and other stuff they don't want anymore; computers are being wiped; and our corporate IDs are being turned in," he said, adding, "Although we will be keeping in touch through some alumni initiatives, many of us may not cross paths again." He then went on to thank everyone that supported the studio throughout the years. According to Shelley, "at least two new studios" will be formed by former Ensemble Studios employees, one of which will handle Ensemble Studios Online and post-launch support for Halo Wars. We wish all Ensemble Studios staff members the best of luck in their new endeavors. [Via Big Download]
Lucky Europe receives 'Best of Halo' Xbox 360 bundle
Because Halo Wars is in dire need of more promotion and marketing (not really), Microsoft will be releasing a special edition Xbox 360 console dubbed the "Best of Halo edition". Swedish retailer Webhallen has the listing, mentioning the bundle will ship February 27th and will include all the standard 360 Pro amenities (60GB HDD, wireless controller, headset, cables, etc.) with the addition of both Halo 3 and Halo Wars. And for 2795 kr or about $350 USD, it's actually a decent deal.As far as we know, Europe will be the only market this Best of Halo Xbox 360 will see a release in. But that doesn't mean Stateside fanboys can't keep their fingers crossed and continue to pray to the prophets above.[Via Teamxbox]
Ensemble already 'looking into' Halo Wars DLC
Even though Halo Wars has already gone gold, Ensemble Studios isn't sitting back twiddling its thumbs and drinking celebratory martinis. In fact, the developer is busy plotting post-launch plans and even kicking around the idea of Halo Wars DLC. "We are committed to supporting the franchise," studio producer Jason Pace told Electricpig in a recent interview. Pace admitted that while the studio doesn't have definite plans, "additional downloadable content is something we're looking into." We just hope that Ensemble's studio closure doesn't factor into the DLC decision. And if we end up receiving additional Halo Wars content, our only requirements are that it be cheap, expansive, cheap, story driven and well ... cheap. Get our drift?
Win early access to the Halo Wars demo
On March 3, the final game from famed developer Ensemble Studios will make its way to retail. Halo Wars takes players from the first-person perspective to the real-time strategy realm and has quickly become one of the Xbox 360's most exciting releases of the early 2009 calendar. On February 5, a demo for Halo Wars will drop on the Xbox Live Marketplace but, why wait that long? Planet Xbox 360 and MLGPRO are giving away 10 codes each to get the demo on January 29. Each site has different methods of registering to win, so make sure to check them both out. Good luck to all the impatient gamers salivating at a chance to pick up the demo early.[Contest: Planet Xbox 360][Contest: MLGPRO] Gallery: Halo Wars (XBL Demo)
Halo Wars is gold, new behind the scenes documentary
click to enlarge Microsoft announced today that the Spartan-fueled RTS Halo Wars has gone gold and will soon be winging its way to retailers the world over. The company also revealed new details regarding the upcoming demo, which will hit Xbox Live Marketplace on February 5. The demo is set to include the first two campaign missions of the game as well as one of the game's 14 multilayer maps, Chasms, which can be played against AI in Skirmish mode. In skirmish mode, players can play as either the human UNSC or alien Covenant. Don't worry about wrapping your head around the control scheme, as the demo will contain both a basic and advanced tutorial. Curiously, the press release does not mention if the demo will feature any kind of local or Xbox Live multiplayer, which is a disappointment. Finally, Microsoft has released the first in a series of Halo Wars video documentaries. You can check out the video after the break, and don't forget to take a gander at some new screens in the gallery below. Gallery: Halo Wars (XBL Demo)
Halo Wars goes gold, demo detailed
Click to embiggen. Putting the finishing touches on Halo Wars must be bittersweet for its developers. The long-awaited RTS game for Xbox 360 has gone "gold" today, just a few days before Ensemble Studio shuts its doors at the end of the month.In addition to announcing the game's gold status, Microsoft released further details on Halo Wars downloadables. A video documentary that goes behind the scenes of the game can be downloaded from Xbox Live today. (Also available after the break) The playable demo will be available on February 5th at 5AM EST (2AM PST).The demo will include beginner and advanced tutorials and the first two campaign missions from the story mode. The demo will also include "Chasms," one of the 14 multiplayer maps included in the full game. Players will be able to battle against the computer AI in Skirmish mode, playing as either the UNSC or the Covenant. No online play was mentioned in the release.%Gallery-43008%
Halo Wars gets soundtracked for Feb 17th release
The musical folks over at Sumthing Else just announced that the official Halo Wars Original Soundtrack will be available at retailers on February 17th. The 50 minute, two disc soundtrack will include 25 original tracks composed by Stephen Rippy and performed by the FILMharmonic Orchestra and Choir Prague. Also, the second bonus disc will come packed with a few Halo Wars trailers, a behind the scenes vid and 5.1 mixes from the original soundtrack. Complete track listing after the fold.
Game developers sound off on industry layoffs
It's all too easy to forget that there are real people behind the power-ups we're so fond of collecting. Gamasutra has posted a sobering look at the industry, interviewing recently out-of-work employees from such companies as Eidos and Pandemic while putting faces on the disturbing number of layoffs that have impacted the business behind the games we play. "In our industry, there's a relatively high chance that once your game is finished, the studio will make some cuts," noted David Lewis, a software test engineer at Ensemble, which will close its doors after Halo Wars (pictured) rolls out the door later this year. "But I had no reason to suspect that the whole studio would be closed." Even so, some, like recruiter T.J. Summers, believe that there is work to be had for those willing to stretch beyond their comfort zones and look for work in "new growth sectors" such as web or mobile. Still, we sympathize with those impacted, especially knowing that the drop off from developing AAA titles to Flash games has to be enough to lose your stomach.
New off-screen Halo Wars footage
GameTrailers has posted some new footage of Halo Wars from CES. Unfortunately, it's off-screen footage, and portions of the screen are cut off. Still, There's plenty of interesting things to see if you know where to look. For one, you can see the system that lets you cycle through each individual unit type when you've selected a large group of different units -- the player uses it at around 0:35 to select the Warthog and ram the enemy. Another prominent feature is the circle menu, which is used to queue up new units and research upgrades. And, of course, you get to see delicious carnage. Check out the video after the break.
CES 2009: Halo Wars demo coming to Xbox Live on Feb. 5
Microsoft's entertainment and devices boss, Robbie Bach, revealed during the company's CES 2009 keynote that a demo of Ensemble Studios' Halo Wars will hit Xbox Live Marketplace on February 5th. Additionally, Bach announced a February 28th ship date for the full game, which fits nicely with what Microsoft had previously announced. If the demo is anything like most others -- i.e., the earliest parts of the game -- it will likely contain a lot of what we played just a couple of months back.%Gallery-1676%
CES 09: Halo Wars releases March 3, demo available Feb. 5 [update]
Update: Looks like a wire got crossed somewhere. We contacted Microsoft and the company confirmed that the official Halo Wars release date for the US, Canada, Mexico and South America is still March 3 as previously announced. The game will ship on February 25 in Japan and Asia and February 27 in Europe. Just moments ago Microsoft's Robbie Bach announced a playable demo for Halo Wars will be available on February 5 over Xbox Live. According to Major Nelson, the upcoming real-time strategy game will release exclusively for the Xbox 360 on February 28. Previous reports had seen the final Ensemble Studios release slide into an early March time frame but it looks like the first 'T' rated game in the Halo universe is back to making a February shipping date, as originally promised. Gallery: Halo Wars (11-17-2008)
Halo Wars achievements detailed
No less than two Halo titles are hitting the shelves within the next year, beginning with Halo Wars. Set before the events of the first Halo game, Halo Wars throws fans of the franchise into the real-time strategy genre. The team at X360a.org have been tipped off to the achievements for the upcoming game and it includes the usual tasks. Achievements for the single and multiplayer modes are available, eye-rolling secret achievements (because those will stay secret!) and others for career totals in hopes the game will keep spinning in your Xbox 360 over time. The only thing that's missing is an achievement called, "Pour One Out" for Ensemble Studios who were informed in September that Microsoft would close the famed developer down. Yeah, that one still stings a little.
