REDMOND, Wash., Aug. 29, 2000 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Big Huge Games Inc. (Big Huge), a developer of strategy-oriented computer games, that gives Microsoft the exclusive publishing and distribution rights to Big Huge Games-developed titles. In addition, Microsoft also announced it has made an equity investment in Big Huge.
Based in Hunt Valley, Md., Big Huge is a newly formed independent development studio founded by veteran game designer Brian Reynolds, whose list of PC game titles includes the revolutionary strategy games
“Civilization II”
and
“Alpha Centauri.”
Before forming Big Huge earlier this year, Brian was a founding partner of Firaxis Games Inc., the computer game development house led by legendary game designer Sid Meier.
“We are extremely excited to be working with Brian and the team at Big Huge,”
said Ed Fries, vice president of games publishing at Microsoft.
“This relationship reflects our continued commitment to grow our PC games business by working with the industry’s best developers to produce top-quality games.”
Microsoft and Big Huge will work together to develop innovative strategy games for the PC platform.
“Everyone at Big Huge Games is ecstatic about our relationship with Microsoft,”
said Brian Reynolds, president of Big Huge.
“It’s a great opportunity to combine the talents of two incredible companies. Microsoft shares our vision and passion to create the best games and will be able to provide us with the time and resources we need to focus on making great games – and then make them available on a worldwide scale.”
Underscoring Microsoft’s commitment to being a leading worldwide games developer and publisher, Big Huge joins an impressive list of development talent creating PC games for the company, including Digital Anvil, Ensemble Studios, Gas Powered Games and Relic Entertainment.
About Big Huge Games
Big Huge Games was founded in February 2000 by four veteran game developers: Tim Train , David Inscore , Jason Coleman and Brian Reynolds . These founding partners, who together have brought strategy gamers such classic hits as
“Civilization II,” “Colonization”
and
“Alpha Centauri,”
share a common vision that they believe will enable them to surpass even these outstanding achievements. Organized to create top-quality strategy games, Big Huge Games will emphasize excellence in all aspects of game development – game design, artwork, technology and production values. Dedicated to the principle that truly fun and successful games can be created only by talented individuals who not only excel in their specialty but who truly love their product, Big Huge Games expects to employ a staff of 30 to 35 designers, artists, programmers and other professionals with a mission to always aim for the brass ring.
About Microsoft Games Division
Microsoft’s Games Division is recognized as one of the world’s leading games businesses in four key areas: PC and Xbox game development and publishing, Zone.com, SideWinder® game devices, and Xbox video game console. Microsoft games developed and published for the PC and Xbox platforms target hardcore gamers and casual players. Zone.com ( http://www.zone.com/ ) is the Internet’s largest game site, and SideWinder is the best-selling brand of game devices in the world. Xbox is Microsoft’s future-generation video game machine scheduled to ship fall 2001.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software – any time, any place and on any device.
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