Microsoft Studios Hiring for Return of a “Well-Loved Strategy Game Franchise”

Microsoft Studios Hiring for Return of a “Well-Loved Strategy Game Franchise”

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Lee Bradley

Microsoft is hiring talent to help create a new title in a “well-loved strategy game franchise,” sparking speculation that the platform holder is set to return to Age of Empires or Halo Wars development.

As spotted by NeoGAF, the job ad states that, "Microsoft Studios is looking for a highly experienced senior games developer to help build and lead the team for a new AAA title within an established and well-loved strategy game franchise.”

The successful candidate's "primary responsibilities will be to recruit and lead the client-side engineering team, drive technical strategy for client development, manage the day-to-day engineering rhythm, and evaluate and recommend appropriate middleware and tools to accomplish our goals.”

The most obvious “well-loved strategy game franchise” owned by Microsoft is Age of Empires. Created by the late Ensemble Studios, the series’ latest release was Age of Empires Online, which is due to close on July 2014. The series was also referenced in a recent Xbox Entertainment sizzle reel, suggesting that Age of Empires is still very much on Microsoft’s mind.

A mobile version of Age of Empires was recently announced for mobile devices, with development handled largely by  Japanese gaming firm KLab.

A longer stretch is that the platform holder is preparing for the return of Halo Wars. However, while the game may be “well-loved,” it’s not really established as such and calling it a franchise seems to be overdoing it. But still, games companies aren’t shy of a bit of hyperbole, so don’t count it out.

Perhaps we’ll find out what the game is during E3 this year. Microsoft is promising a whole slew of reveals and although this mysterious strategy game is clearly at an early stage, it wouldn’t preclude the platform holder from revealing a quick teaser trailer. We’ll find out this June.

Comments
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  • I'd be happy with either of them
  • I would love a new Age of Empires to come out. I wasn't a big fan of AoE 3, and AoE 2 hasn't aged all that well, even with the HD version, but I would like to see a return to the franchise, not that I imagine that it will come out of consoles however, as RTS games have traditionally never worked all that well using a controller, especially with AoE's mechanics, but it would be nice nonetheless. Halo Wars 2 would also be a welcome entry, especially if it explored the fate of the Spirit of Fire and the crew within, but I feel that making AoE or Halo Wars 2 would just be Microsoft cash grabbing over Ensemble's corpse.
  • Well, given Age of Mythology is getting re-released in the next few days, I'd love a sequel. I thought AoM was fantastic. Actually, Age of Empires, Age of mythology and Halo Wars were all great fun. I think Halo Wars needs some more depth added for a sequel. And an enemy campaign (Covenant preferred imo).
  • I too would be happy with either one. Halo Wars had some small problems but it definitely had potential and I never normally play RTS games but I love both of these
  • Pretty sure Microsoft also own the Shadowrun IP, would love to see that game come to consoles. Just thinking outside the box a little.
  • If Microsoft was smart, they would make a Halo Wars 2 I would instantly buy it if they did too.
  • i liked halo wars but i really really hope this is age of empires returning for number iv. I spent years playing three and its expansions. Actually met my best mate who lives in Melbourne (Australia) playing the game. Countless nights were spent in 2v2 games and tournaments, the game that really got me into games! Actually resulted in me buying a 360 to play it inbetween setting up games. So Microsoft bring it back. With age of empires online closing soon it does look like the stars are aligning for number iv!
  • What @6 said
  • I really hope it's Halo Wars 2
  • probebly age of empires due to the succesful released of age of empires 2 hd, and upcoming age of mythologies hd, just hope it gets back on track not like age online, i don't want free to play and would rather have a less cartoony style, just a shame they closed ensemble it's what makes me have hatred for microsoft personally would actually prefer halo wars 2 though, first one was one of my favorite games on 360
  • AoE please!!
  • Halo Wars 2 please my loves!!!
  • #5, no point beating that dead horse. It failed big time and they wont explore that again. Age of Empires or Halo Wars. YES! YES! YES!
  • I saw the first part of the title for the article, then skimmed the comments. Originally I was shocked no one even thought to mention Crackdown. Then I reread the article title and actually read the article. "Strategy" :(
  • I've always thought there needed to be an Age of Empires on Xbox. People that say RTS games don't work on consoles are idiots, they do work, it's just a matter of smart control bindings and saying they don't work makes you sound like the closed minded tards of the 80's/90's who said the same about FPS games.
  • Natural progression that the new gen with its ties to Twitch and one the go streaming start catering for strategy games on its system. Generally they dont work very well on consoles and few such as Command and Conquer pulled it off even if even it fell to the wayside. I this this could be the generation of consoles to totally cater strategy games and i for one cant wait to see the likes of Star Craft series make its way over.
  • Please be Halo Wars 2.
  • Age of halo empire wars.
  • Considering it says "strategy game franchise," I doubt its Halo Wars as that's only one game, not a franchise. And yes, I know Halo is a franchise, but it says strategy game franchise, meaning a franchise that revolves around strategy games.
  • halo wars 2 please
  • Halo Wars was a really good console RTS. I've always wanted a sequel.
  • RTS games need to be on PC. I love Xbox, and I buy nearly everything on Xbox over PC, but RTS games simply don't work very well on consoles. It really pains me to see a game like Halo Wars being on console only. That is awful.
  • The story of Halo Wars continues in one of the Halo comics, so I doubt it's going to be it.
  • Crossing my fingers for Halo Wars 2. Maybe something with more modern halo tech in the same vein as Halo 4?
  • I still play the original AoE on PC occasionally. I just can't see using a controller as beneficial to the gameplay, however.
  • Either is great news! Loved every single AoE game todate!
  • I must be the only one who wasn't too fond of halo wars. I like RTS on the computer but they haven't come by with a good one for consoles IMO. It just doesn't have the same spirit as they do on PC.
  • While I want to see another Halo Wars "Well loved" makes me believe it's Age of Empires, but if I'm not mistaken that franchise (Is somewhat) around still? So I'm quite curious to see which it could possibly be, both are great games.
  • AoE for me, Halo wars will also be most welcome.
  • @7 haha, I have a similar story. A random guy and I used to sit at the back of maths class and 'plan' age of empires maps on pad paper. We've been best mates since, best man at each other's weddings, and now have a kid each about the same age. I owe a lot to the AoE franchise! I hope it goes back to more original roots, after trying Age Online, I couldn't bring myself to buy it. Same with Empire Earth, 3 was terrible.
  • I wouldn't mind if it were Age of Empires, but I'd really love it to be Halo Wars 2. I've been 'Ready for the sequel' for too long now.
  • I'd be happy with either of them. I money is on AoE, they should release all the classics on Xbox One.
  • I absolutely loved Halo Wars, it was one of the first (and sadly only) RTS games I've really enjoyed. Would love a second one!
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