Microsoft Sells Asheron’s Call Franchise

Straight from my inbox:

Microsoft Game Studios Agrees To Sell Asheron’s Call Franchise To Turbine Entertainment Software

Microsoft® Game Studios today announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell the massively multiplayer online gaming franchise (Asheron’s Call) back to the games’ creator, Turbine Entertainment Software Corporation. The franchise transfer includes all (Asheron’s Call) intellectual properties, including (Asheron’s Call®,) (Asheron’s Call: Dark Majesty®) and (Asheron’s Call 2©: Fallen Kingsâ„¢.)

“Asheron’s Call) is a critically acclaimed massively multiplayer role-playing franchise that draws together thousands of players within a dynamic, evolving fantasy world. The original title launched in 1999 and has since spawned an expansion pack, (Asheron’s Call Dark Majesty) and an award-winning sequel, (Asheron’s Call 2: Fallen Kings.) The (Asheron’s Call) franchise is best known for its episodic updates, which provided new additional game features and storyline content every month.

(We have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with Turbine. ‘˜Asheron’s Call’ has been a strong contributor to the success of both companies and has enjoyed critical acclaim as a ground-breaking title in the evolution of the massively multiplayer online community,) said Adam Waalkes, Microsoft Game Studios role-playing studio manager. (We are proud of our accomplishments with ‘˜Asheron’s Call,’ and we wish Turbine success with the franchise in the future.)

Microsoft and Turbine began their partnership in 1996, resulting in the successful launch and run of (Asheron’s Call.) During the change of ownership, Microsoft will provide transition services for a limited time, including testing and billing services. Specific details regarding on-going operations of the (Asheron’s Call) franchise will be announced in the near future.

About Turbine Entertainment

Turbine Entertainment Software Corporation is a leading global provider of online subscription entertainment. Formed in 1994, Turbine is the largest and oldest online studio in New England. The company’s proprietary Turbine Engineâ„¢ generates some of the most sophisticated 3D graphics in the world, producing such memorable projects as Asheron’s Call,® Asheron’s Call: Dark Majesty,® and Asheron’s Call 2:® Fallen Kings.â„¢ Turbine is currently developing The Lord of the Rings: Middle-Earth Onlineâ„¢ and Dungeons & Dragons Online.â„¢ For more information, visit the company’s web site at www.turbinegames.com

About Microsoft Game Studios

Microsoft Game Studios is a leading worldwide publisher and developer of games for Windows®, Xbox® video game system and online platforms. Comprising a network of top developers, Microsoft Game Studios is committed to creating innovative and diverse games for Windows (http://www.microsoft.com/games/), including such franchises as Age of Empires®, Flight Simulator and Zoo Tycoon®; Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/), including such franchises as Halo®, Project Gotham Racing® and NFL Fever; and Zone.com (http://www.zone.com/), the official games channel for the MSN® network and home to such hits as Bejeweled and OutSmart™.