Ensemble Studios facts for kids
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| Subsidiary of Microsoft | |
| Industry | Video game industry |
| Fate | Disbanded |
| Successor | Robot Entertainment Bonfire Studios (now Zynga Dallas) Windstorm Studios Newtoy, Inc. (now Zynga With Friends) |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Defunct | 2009 |
| Headquarters | Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
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Key people
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Tony Goodman John Boog-Scott Rick Goodman |
| Products | Age of Empires Age of Mythology Halo Wars |
Ensemble Studios was a company that made video games. It started in 1995 as an independent company. The founders were Tony Goodman, Rick Goodman, and John Boog-Scott. In 2001, a big company called Microsoft bought Ensemble Studios. It then worked as part of Microsoft until 2009, when it closed down.
Ensemble Studios was famous for making many real-time strategy games. In these games, players make decisions and give commands as the game happens, without taking turns. Their most well-known games include the Age of Empires series, Age of Mythology, and Halo Wars. Besides making games, Ensemble Studios also created the Genie Engine. This was a special tool used to build games like Age of Empires, Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings, and Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds.
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What Was Ensemble Studios?
Ensemble Studios was a company that designed and built video games. They were known for creating games where players had to think fast. These games were mostly about building empires and leading armies. The company was based in Dallas, Texas, in the United States.
How Ensemble Studios Started
The company began in 1995. It was founded by three people: Tony Goodman, Rick Goodman, and John Boog-Scott. They wanted to create exciting new games for players. At first, it was a small, independent company. This meant they owned and ran the company themselves.
Becoming Part of Microsoft
In 2001, Microsoft, a very large technology company, bought Ensemble Studios. This meant Ensemble Studios became a part of Microsoft's gaming division. They continued to make games, but now with the support of a much bigger company.
Why Ensemble Studios Closed
After many years of making popular games, Ensemble Studios closed down in 2009. This is called being "disbanded." Even though the company closed, the games they made are still enjoyed by many players today.
Famous Games by Ensemble Studios
Ensemble Studios created some of the most popular strategy games ever. These games let players explore history or myths. They could build cities, train armies, and fight battles.
The Age of Empires Series
The Age of Empires games are perhaps their most famous. In these games, players guide a civilization through different historical periods. You start in the Stone Age and advance through time. You gather resources, build towns, and create armies to conquer enemies.
- Age of Empires (1997)
- Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings (1999)
- Age of Empires III (2005)
Age of Mythology
Age of Mythology (2002) was a spin-off from the Age of Empires series. Instead of history, this game focused on myths and legends. Players could choose to play as ancient Greek, Egyptian, or Norse civilizations. They used mythical creatures like minotaurs and gods' powers in battles.
Halo Wars
Halo Wars (2009) was the last game Ensemble Studios released. It was a real-time strategy game set in the popular Halo universe. Players commanded armies from the Halo series, like the UNSC or the Covenant. It brought strategy gameplay to a new audience.
The Genie Game Engine
Ensemble Studios didn't just make games; they also made tools to help create them. One of these tools was called the Genie Engine. A game engine is like the foundation or framework for a video game. It handles things like graphics, sounds, and how the game rules work.
The Genie Engine was used for:
- Age of Empires
- Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings
- Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds (a game made by another company using Ensemble's engine)
Legacy of Ensemble Studios
Even after Ensemble Studios closed, its impact on gaming continued. Many of the people who worked there went on to start new game companies. These include Robot Entertainment, Bonfire Studios (now Zynga Dallas), Windstorm Studios, and Newtoy, Inc. (now Zynga With Friends). This shows how talented the team at Ensemble Studios was. Their games are still loved and played by many people around the world.
Images for kids
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A robot, symbolizing the "See also" section.
