Twisted Pixel was founded in 2006 as an independent studio that developed award winning Xbox LIVE Arcade titles. They will now bring their talented development team to Microsoft Studios in order to create and develop future entertainment offerings for the Xbox 360 platform - as well as future Microsoft consoles.
Acquisitions of small developers made by giant corporations can give pause to the most skeptical cynic, but Matt Booty, speaking with Joystiq, said he wants Twisted Pixel’s scrappy, do-it-yourself character preserved after the acquisition:
Phil Spencer, corporate Vice President of Microsoft Studios, praised Twisted Pixel’s track record:
Michael Wilford, co-founder and CEO of Twisted Pixel, offered his stamp of approval of the union between the two companies as well:
Twist Pixel now becomes the largest member of Microsoft Studio’s globally-recognized game developers, joining the esteemed ranks of Lionhead Studios (Fable 3) and Rare Ldt. The team’s charter is to create exclusive gaming experiences that offer different experiences when compared to the various Microsoft platforms.
Acquisitions are not always smooth, but Spencer acknowledged some of Microsoft Studio’s past shortcomings and said the company learned from those mistakes when forging the union with Twisted Pixel:
Wilford also confirmed that the Twisted Pixel studio would not relocate - as Microsoft Studios is taking more of a hands-off approach to the purchase. They will be given more room to breathe, with Wilford acknowledging that Pixel’s team is best suited for XBLA development.
Clearly the two companies have been working towards this point - so the acquisition is hardly a surprise. Gamers who appreciate and admire the unique nature of Twisted Pixel’s distinctive, and fresh, take on developing titles should have their concerns somewhat put to rest with Microsoft Studio’s commitment of a new “hands-off approach." Considering the size of Twisted Pixel, in comparison to other Microsoft acquisitions (others who are still developing titles), gamers should have little to fear.
Do you think the Twisted Pixel acquisition is a good thing? What types of games would you like to see the developer work on - now that it has Microsoft’s backing?
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Source: Microsoft & Joystiq
