Thursday, April 6, 2006

Microsoft Buys Lionhead

Microsoft has purchased Lionhead Studios, a UK-based video game developer for the Xbox, the firm said today. Lionhead, which publishes the popular "Fable" game franchise, will switch to exclusively creating content for Microsoft's Xbox and Windows platforms. Peter Molyneux, head of Lionhead, will also join Microsoft. Molyneaux is known for his work on such games as Populous and Black and White. The purchase is the latest in Microsoft's string of game developer purchases. Microsoft owns Bungie Studios, Ensemble Studios, FASA, and Rare Ltd. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Molyneux's last game studio, Bullfrog, was purchased by Electronic Arts.