Microsoft To Close Down Lionhead Studios In The UK And Press Play Studios In Denmark

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Microsoft Studios

Microsoft is closing down Lionhead Studios in the UK and Press Play Studios in Denmark. Microsoft also announced that they have decided to cease development on Fable Legends and Project Knoxville games for Xbox One and Windows 10. Read the following message from Hanno Lemke, General Manager, Microsoft Studios Europe.

These have been tough decisions and we have not made them lightly, nor are they a reflection on these development teams – we are incredibly fortunate to have the talent, creativity and commitment of the people at these studios. The Lionhead Studios team has delighted millions of fans with the Fable series over the past decade. Press Play imbued the industry with a unique creative spirit behind games like Max: The Curse of Brotherhood and Kalimba, which both captured passionate fans. These changes are taking effect as Microsoft Studios continues to focus its investment and development on the games and franchises that fans find most exciting and want to play.

Despite this sad news, Microsoft said that they remain committed to the development communities in the UK and Europe. Also, Xbox will continue to support new IP like the upcoming  Sea of Thieves from Rare, Quantum Break from Remedy and more.

We have nothing but heart-felt thanks for the members of Lionhead and Press Play for their contributions to Xbox and gaming. We are committed to working closely with those affected by today’s news to find them new opportunities at Xbox, or partnering with the broader development community to help place them in jobs elsewhere in the games industry should they desire.

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