ENSEMBLE STUDIOS

'Ensemble Studios' is a Microsoft-owned company that has developed several computer games, including the famous ''Age of Empires series''.

Contents

Games

Miscellaneous

External links

Games

The company is the developer of the famous Age of Empires series of real-time strategy games, composed of ''Age of Empires'', '' and ''Age of Empires III''. They also released ''Age of Mythology'', a spin-off from the original series in 2002. Expansion packs were also released for all their games.
Ensemble released "Age of Empires III", on October 18, 2005, in North America. This follows on from the end of ''Age of Empires II'', set in times such as the Industrial Age. The lead-up to the game's announcement was a series of teasers on Ensemble's website, culminating in a number of in-game screenshots. The game has sold over 3 million copies as of February 1, and has become the fastest selling game of the series. Ensemble Studios also made the Genie Game Engine used in Age of Empires, , and .
Their latest game is an expansion to ''Age of Empires III'', titled ''. It includes new content, new gameplay elements, a new single-player campaign, and 3 new native American civilizations. It was originally set for an October 2, 2006 release, but was released later, on October 17, 2006. They are currently working on a second expansion to Age of Empires III, '', which will introduce 3 Asian civilizations as well as new gameplay features. They are developing this project in conjunction with ''Big Huge Games'', the creators of ''Rise of Nations''.
Ensemble is also developing real-time strategy game based on the successful ''Halo'' franchise, called ''Halo Wars''.

Miscellaneous

★ Ensemble Studios occupies the top two floors of its building in Dallas, Texas.

★ According to Sandy Petersen at the Age of Kings Heaven website, approximately 10% of the company's employees are parents.

★ Mike "Archangel" McCart, the company's former webmaster, created the HeavenGames (then known as HeavenWeb) fan site, prior to being hired by ES.

External links

★ Ensemble Studios site

★ Microsoft site

★ 'Ask Sandy' threads from Age of Kings Heaven

★ 'Ask Sandy' responses from agecommunity.com

★ ''Ensemble Studios'' profile on MobyGames