First reported official comment

[WesternInvader]

My commiserations to Steve, Mike and the others at ACES Studio who have lost their jobs. I know how gutting redundancy is, having experienced this myself (and, since my current employer is now owned by a ‘global player’, will no doubt experience again).

Hi
microsoft is commited to the trainsim franchise sounds pretty hollow to me

I think the 'commitment' was only to the Flight Sim 'franchise' (not Train Sim), but that could only mean that they will continue to sell the existing FSX, not develop anything new.

I agree with Iluka’s comments that MS will now get out of the games industry and other 'non-core' areas, to revert to primarily a producer of OS and business software, as the market for entertainment products collapses (as few consumers will have the spare cash to buy them). In this respect the 5000 job losses at MS may be only the beginning.

Rob

[captaincooke]

This is speculation really, but is it the PC entertainment teams that have suffered?

Lionhead remains and develops for the X-Box as do Rare.

Alternatively, maybe it is easier for MS to shed US based employees rather than better protected European ones. Perhaps MS are just the first of the big entertainment corporations to start shedding development teams.

[tomtrain]

Lionhead remains and develops for the X-Box as do Rare.

I would imagine these two developers make a lot more money than ACES did. The market for Xbox games is much larger than the simulator market.

Sorry to hear about the job losses in Microsoft. Its never nice to lose your job. I was particularly looking forward to the two European routes in MSTS 2. Still, maybe production will resume one day.

[220389]

Really sad news to hear this.

Especially for all you at Ace's Studios and hope you all can find employment again.
Another one of my Favourite studios have now gone (Other is Ensemble [Age of Empires series])

All the best off luck.


Chris

[BadWhippet]

This is horrible, HORRIBLE news. I hope everyone in the Aces team finds something equally as good or better. My thoughts are with you. I can't begin to imagine the shock and worry this has brought about. I hope all the brilliant work shown in the movies does not go to waste and that, one day, you'll get the credit you deserve.

I know it will probably make no difference, but I've joined in the wail-to-Microsoft venture too. The game is two thirds complete, for crying out loud! Serious sims like TS and FS have been Microsoft's domain and I'm incredulous that they're letting the franchise slip.

Good luck to you all.

Sue