REDMOND, Wash., April 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Game Studios
(MGS) today announced it has purchased U.K.-based Lionhead Studios, one of the
world's leading and most innovative video game developers and creators of
"Fable(R)," the hit XboR) and Windows(R) franchise.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/2000 0822/MSFTLOGO )
Lionhead Studios will immediately begin creating content exclusively for
the Xbox 360(TM) and Microsoft(R) Windows platforms. The companies previously
worked together on the popular role-playing games "Fable" for Xbox and "Fable:
The Lost Chapters" for Xbox and Windows, which have collectively surpassed the
2 million global unit sales milestone, making "Fable" the best-selling role-
playing franchise on the Xbox platform. "Fable" and "Fable: The Lost Chapters"
enable players to make decisions that affect their character's skills,
appearances and morality and the world around them.
"At Microsoft Game Studios we have worked hard to become the best partner
for the best creative talent in our industry, and this acquisition underscores
our commitment to excellence," said Shane Kim, general manager of Microsoft
Game Studios. "Peter Molyneux is one of the few true visionaries in our
industry, and his joining us is incredibly important to the future of both
interactive entertainment and MGS. Lionhead is a shining example of the
innovative and creative talent that has delivered some of the most influential
and unique games experiences to date, and I am honored to welcome Peter and
the incredible people at Lionhead Studios."
"We could not be more excited about being part of MGS. They have long
supported our creative vision, and this teamwork resulted in the hugely
successful 'Fable' franchise," said Molyneux, managing director of Lionhead
Studios. "This acquisition gives Lionhead the stability and opportunity to
focus on creating world-class next-generation titles. We are joining some of
the most incredible game creators in the industry, the combined talent of
which will truly take next-generation gaming to a new level."
With today's announcement, Lionhead Studios becomes the latest member of
MGS, joining such prestigious and globally recognized game creators as Bungie
Studios, Ensemble Studios, FASA Studio and Rare Ltd. on a team whose charter
is to create exclusive entertainment experiences that differentiate Xbox 360
and Windows from other gaming platforms.
About Lionhead Studios
Lionhead Studios is based in Guildford, England, and was founded in 1997.
The studio's first game, "Black & White" for PC, was released in 2001, and
worldwide sales of it have topped 2 million copies. "Fable" for Xbox and
"Fable: The Lost Chapters" for Xbox and Windows have collectively also sold
more than 2 million copies worldwide, and the numbers continue to climb,
making "Fable" one of the top-selling Xbox titles of all time. "Fable: The
Lost Chapters" and two further titles, "Black & White 2" and "The Movies,"
were all released in fall 2005. Lionhead was backed by three venture capital
funds -- IDG Ventures Europe, Add Partners and Ingenious Ventures. For more
information about Lionhead Studios, visit http://www.lionhead.com .
About Microsoft Game Studios
Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of
games for the Xbox and Xbox 360 video game systems, the Windows operating
system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft
Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows
( http://www.microsoft.com/games ), including such franchises as "Age of
Empires(R)," "Flight Simulator" and "Zoo Tycoon(R);" Xbox and Xbox 360
( http://www.xbox.com ), including such games as the upcoming "Gears of War"
and franchises such as "Halo(R)," "Fable," "Project Gotham Racing(R)" and
"Forza Motorsport(TM)"; and MSN(R) Games ( http://www.games.msn.com ), the
official games channel for the MSN network and home to such hits as
"Bejeweled" and "Hexic(R)."
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their
full potential.
NOTE: Microsoft, Fable, Xbox, Windows, Xbox 360, Rare, Age of Empires,
Zoo Tycoon, Halo, Project Gotham Racing, Forza Motorsport, MSN and Hexic are
either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. or Rare Ltd. in
the United States and/or other countries.
Rare Ltd. is a subsidiary of Microsoft Corp.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the
trademarks of their respective owners.
Microsoft acquired Lionhead Studios
R) and Windows(R) franchise.
