Dallas-based Ensemble Studios hasn’t yet finished its work on Microsoft’s Halo Wars. When it does finish, it’s finished. Microsoft Game Studios has confirmed that it’s shuttering Ensemble, rearranging the leadership team to a new division and placing as many employees as possible elsewhere. Those who care already know what a strong gamer business Dallas has. Apples falling from a tree from the Id Software days, I suppose. I hope it stays that way.
1 comment
I just read about this at http://ethesis.blogspot.com/2008/09/dark-side-management-case-studies.html
Bottom line is a stupid management metric that pays the guy at the top a bonus if he just cuts off the R&D — and all future games — and sucks out the profits for himself.