Even as Microsoft gets ready to enter the PC hardware market later this fall with their Surface tablet, the company is also preparing to give consumers their own Windows 8 tablet based games. Today, Microsoft announced they will open a new game development studio in London, with Windows 8 game development as their main focus.
Eurogamer reports that the studio doesn"t have an official name yet and won"t open its doors until sometime in November. However, the company said they wanted to go ahead and announce their plans for their new studio in order to avoid any rumors or speculation. The head of the studio will be Lee Schuneman, who previously worked on Microsoft"s Rare team as its former production director.
Microsoft is currently hiring to staff up its new London studio, which will join Rare, Lionhead and Soho Productions as Microsoft"s fourth UK-based game development team. In a statement, Schuneman said his new team " ... will allow Microsoft Studios to explore the many creative and business opportunities that developing new games and entertainment experiences on Windows 8 tablet devices and platforms will afford."
There"s no word on when the first Windows 8 titles from the new London studio will launch, but since the team won"t actually start work until November it may be a while before we see the fruits of their labors.
Source: Eurogamer.net | Image via Microsoft