Since entering the console market, Microsoft had some of the world’s most talented game developers behind them, many being first party. Upon entering the console market Microsoft had roughly 13 studios behind them, ranging from Ensemble Studios to FASA Interactive, over the years the unfortunate truth has been many were shut down for unknown reasons. Gamers have seen many talented studios go and have had no other choice but to blame Microsoft out of frustration and anger. To pay tribute to the studios of past and present, we have decided to outline the history of those under Microsoft Game Studios.

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In 1999 Microsoft acquired their first studio, FASA Interactive later rebranded as FASA Studios. The history of FASA is a confusing one to say the least, a studio which spun off from famed tabletop developer FASA Corporation. Shortly after, FASA Interactive was merged with Virtual World Entertainment to form Virtual World Entertainment Group, in 1999 Microsoft purchased VWEG with the sole purpose of acquiring FASA Interactive, Virtual World Entertainment was sold and FASA Interactive renamed to FASA Studios.

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The company’s headquarters was just miles from the Microsoft campus located in Redmond, Washington. The company went on to produce titles such as the Mech Commander series, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Shadowrun. Essentially all titles produced by the company where released to critical acclaim, for some the sales did not match that. Titles such as Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge and Shadowrun pioneered the Xbox Live service each in their own way.

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In 2000 FASA released their first title under the Microsoft Game Studios banner, MechWarrior 4: Vengeance. The title was released exclusively on the PC in November of 2000 taking place in the MechWarrior universe. The game released to critical acclaim holding a Metacritic score of 88, two expansion packs were also released, “MechWarrior 4: Black Knight” and a standalone expansion pack dubbed “MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries”.

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In 2003 FASA released their first Xbox title, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, the game of course took place in an alternate 1930s setting in the Crimson Skies universe. The games development was rocky, at first it was intended to be an interactive movie, this was dropped in favor of more open ended gameplay style seen in the final version of the game. The game took  many features from the “Mech” family of games released by Microsoft Game Studios and worked them in, elements such as destructible and interactive environments, Xbox Live play is also credited to be implemented due to the help received by the MechAssault team. >>