Microsoft Closes FASA Studio

FASA Studio manager Mitch Gitelman has confirmed that that the Shadowrun developer is to close, following months of rumours to that effect, with today being the last day of employment for those not reassigned within Microsoft Game Studios. Around half of the studio’s staff has been offered positions elsewhere at Microsoft Game Studios and the wider Microsoft structure, with the remainder leaving the company today. Although Shadowrun was criticized before its released for adapting the popular role-playing franchise as a shoot ‘em-up it was still a minor critical and commercial success. The company is also well known for Crimson Skies and the MechWarrior series and its spin-offs. FASA Studio was an off-shoot of tabletop role-playing publisher FASA Corporation, who ceased operations in 2001 but still hold lucrative intellectual properties such as BattleTech and MechWarrior. Microsoft acquired FASA Interactive in 1999, after which point the company’s various properties became PC and Xbox exclusives.