Twisted Pixel announces Microsoft has purchased the company to become an exclusive 2nd party studio for the Xbox brand with Microsoft having been interested in the company ever since Splosion Man.
Originally Microsoft was content to let Twisted Pixel make games on other digital services as long as Xbox Live got the games but recent moves by Sony either in guaranteeing exclusives for PSN or outright buying companies could have swayed Microsoft to finally make the purchase of the company.
Twisted Pixel's CEO responded to the purchase saying it was a good move for both companies while also hinting they are expanding to include Kinect games for future projects:
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"It is really exciting for us to solidify our long-standing relationship with Microsoft Studios, who we consider to be the leader in digital distribution and creating new innovations in gaming like Xbox Live and Kinect."
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Microsoft's Vice President, Phil Spencer, also responded to potential fears of Microsoft forcing changes with Twisted Pixel by saying the studio will have complete freedom with their projects in a similar fashion to when Bungie was with Microsoft:
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"I lived through the integration of FASA, through Bungie, the integration of Digital Anvil," Spencer said. "I can go through the list of studios we've worked with. I can honestly say we've become better at working with partners and keeping them what they are," Spencer said. "In the beginning, it was 'everybody's got to move to Redmond, kind of integrate completely into the Microsoft process,' and that doesn't always work for every culture. I think you have to keep to the core of 'What is this partnership about?'"
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http://www.giantbomb.com/news/micros...-hitched/3737/
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Quick News Round-Up:
1) Another attack on PSN and other Sony related networks occured with the good news being Sony was able to stop the attack very quickly and the bad news being 93,000 accounts were comprimised. Sony has said they were not hacked directly but part of a larger attack targeting multiple companies at once and will immediately send emails to affected accounts for users to change their account passwords.
2) Sega confirms Dayton USA was the classic game as the surprise game from their recent contest and will be arriving on XBLA (Oct. 26) and PSN (Oct. 25) for $10. The game will contain updated visuals, 8-player online races, karaookee-mode, and steering wheel support (all compatable for Xbox 360, only Logitech GT Driving Force for PS3).
3) Sony announced every retail copy of Uncharted 3 will also come with a public beta copy of Starhawk included. While the beta won't officially start until early 2012, it will allow 32-player matches with more details expected to be revealed once the beta is ready to go online.