Microsoft isn’t known for having the best and most productive group of first party developers, but it looks like they are trying to change that with today’s announcement that they have acquired indie game developer Twisted Pixel, developers of XBLA hit Splosion Man.
Founded in 2006, Twisted Pixel released their first game, The Maw, on both the Xbox Live Arcade and Windows in 2009. Since then they’ve worked closely with Microsoft on a string of entertaining titles including the aforementioned 'Splosion Man, Comic Jumper: The Adventures of Captain Smiley and Ms. 'Splosion Man. Their most recent effort, The Gunstringer, saw them diversify their development by releasing as a Kinect game on the 360.
At this time there are no details as to how much Microsoft paid to bring Twisted Pixel into their stable of exclusive developers that includes Lionhead Studios and Rare Ltd.
We can only hope that the same fate that befell Rare doesn't also happen to Twisted Pixel.
I know I'm in the minority, but I've enjoyed Rare's output on the 360. That aside, this is pretty big news. I can't say I've been a big fan of really anything Twisted Pixel has done, but Microsoft made a good acquisition.
Twisted Pixel is a great company. Microsoft was smart in acquiring them. Like said above, I hope they don't wind up like Rare.
I wouldn't call Twisted Pixel a "great" company. At least, not from the Ms. 'Splosion Man I've played. I'd call them a company that's gotten by, at least in one case, on quick gimmicks that don't make for very enjoyable gameplay maybe.
I don't know what people see in their 'Splosion games...
Well, I love them. I haven't played Ms. 'Splosion Man yet but there isn't a doubt in my mind that I would love that game. 'Splosion Man! *sung to the tune in the Trojan commercials*
My point is that there's dozens of better-built, more enjoyable games out there that don't rely on the gimmick of blind-siding you with precision surprise timings, yet Twisted Pixel gets praise for it. That, and the inane wacky humor they use which borders much more on the side of annoying than funny.
