Microsoft halts production of Xbox HD-DVD player
2:20 PM, February 24, 2008
Even more big news today, AP is saying that Microsoft will halt production on the HD-DVD player for the Xbox 360.
No word if a Blu-Ray attachment will be next...
February 18, 2008
Rumor: Microsoft to buy Epic for $1 billion
5:05 PM, February 18, 2008
That's the word from GamePro (via LocalTechWire.com, via Kotaku), anyway, and while I think the price tag sounds a bit steep, the deal would make sense.
It makes sense for Microsoft for two reasons:
1. As pointed out in the original article, Epic is valuable not just for the franchises it has created (Gears of War and Unreal Tournament), but for the royalties it collects for licensing out its Unreal game engine to other game makers.
2. With the departure of Bungie, Microsoft is surely looking for a top-flight development studio to take over the Halo franchise. Epic fits the bill nicely.
The deal makes sense for Epic for one reason:
1. $1 billion!!!!
If the deal does happen, though, it will be interesting to see whether Microsoft continues to license Unreal to developers working on PS3 games, or whether Unreal becomes an Xbox-only technology.
