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Ensemble Studios is a Microsoft-owned company that has developed many computer games, including the famous Age of Empires series.

Overview

The company was founded in 1995 in Dallas by Tony Goodman, his brother, Rick Goodman, Bruce Shelley, and Brian Sullivan. After 2 years, it released its first game, Age of Empires. In May 2001, Microsoft acquired the company (see GAMEY). Currently, the company employs about 100 people, including Bruce Shelley, Graeme Devine and Sandy Petersen.

Ensemble is notable for its playtesting procedures: everyone at the company is required to test the current product at least once a week.

The company has a varied employee background. Its workers range from high school graduates to PhDs.

The company is the developer of the famous Age of Empires series of games, composed of Age of Empires, Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings, Age of Mythology, as well as expansion packs to those games.

Ensemble released Age of Empires III, on October 18, 2005 in North America. This follows on from the end of Age of Empires II, set in times such as the Industrial Age. The lead-up to the game's announcement was a series of teasers on Ensemble's website, culminating in a number of in-game screenshots. The game has sold over 3 million copies as of February 1st, and has become the fastest selling game of the series.

Miscellaneous

Ensemble Studios occupies the top two floors of its building in Dallas.
According to Sandy Petersen at the Age of Kings Heaven website, approximately 10% of the company's employees are parents.
Mike McCart, the company's webmaster, created the HeavenGames
(then known as HeavenWeb) fan site prior to being hired by ES.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Ensemble Studios ]

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