Microsoft Studios News

Microsoft has picked up Press Play, maker of Max and the Magic Marker and Tentacles, it was announced amidst all the E3 hubub on Monday. It's probably mostly for the Danish studio's mobile mastery, as neither game came to Xbox 360 but both hit Windows Phone.

Epic has whispered and muttered about a new Gears of War over the past few days, but Gears of War: Judgement was only formally unveiled during Microsoft's presentation at E3 today. The trailer confirmed that yes, Baird and Cole Train will be shooting guns a lot.

Forza Horizon, the latest in the Xbox exclusive racing series, is coming to 360 on October 23, Microsoft just announced during its E3 press event. It's been under wraps since it was announced in March, but a trailer revealed a little of what we can expect.

Though what they're working on is unknown, Lionhead Studios is now seeking to hire an "experienced multiplayer level designer."

Fable Heroes, the upcoming spin-off of Lionhead's Fable series, could be the precursor to other Fable-based spin-off games, according to the developer.

A mysterious new Forza racing game is in development for Xbox 360, Microsoft revealed at its Spring Showcase. What Forza Horizon will actually bring is a mystery, though, as MS had nothing to say and simply showed a tone-setting trailer of stock footage.

"Cinematic puzzle platformer" Deadlight is to be published by Microsoft Studios exclusively on XBLA this summer, developer Tequila Works announced today. While no mention is made of 'the Z-word,' you can smell 'em a mile off.

Stacking and Brutal Legend developer Double Fine's Kinect minigame collection Happy Action Theater for Xbox Live Arcade will raise its curtain on February 1, studio head honcho Tim Schafer has announced.

Microsoft Flight will launch into the skies of Hawaii this spring, held aloft by wizardry and a free-to-play model. Extra aircraft, missions and "customization options" will be sold through Games for Windows Live.

Gears of War 3 has been out for a while and Christmas is behind us, so those who'd buy it sight unseen have probably already done so. Enter a demo, to court those weird weirdoes who prefer to actually "play" a video game before coughing up $60.

The next Gears of War 3 downloadable content pack has been announced for release on January 17. 'Fenix Rising,' as it's wittily named, will bring five new multiplayer maps based upon campaign levels, plus new player skins and a way to 'prestige.'

Microsoft FlightBeta applications have opened for Microsoft Flight, Microsoft's follow-up to the classic Microsoft Flight Simulator series. Lucky pilots accepted into the beta will get to take off in January 2012.

Gremlins have "temporarily" delayed the release of Gears of War 3's multiplayer-expanding Horde Command Pack, which was due to launch today. Techies are scrambling to chase the blighters out.

"Decapitate. Eviscerate. Maul. Chop. Slice. Dice. Skewer. Lacerate. Pound. Cleave. Hack. Sever. Stab. Kill." That's the snappy tagline for Bloodforge, by Silent Hill: Shattered Memories dev Climax, which now has its first trailer.

Austin indie Twisted Pixel, the dev behind 'Splosion Man, The Gunstringer, Comic Jumper, and more, has been acquired by Microsoft.