Microsoft has announced that it has signed Scottish games studio Real Time Worlds to develop exclusive titles for the Xbox 360, in a press release timed to coincide with corporate vice president Peter Moore's speech at the ELSPA Games Summit in London.
Founded in March 2002, the developer is yet to complete a game, but currently employs 75 people, including many ex-employees of DMA Design/Rockstar North. The company’s creative director is Dave Jones, the founder of DMA Design and the creator of both the
Grand Theft Auto and
Lemmings franchises.
The company’s other directors include former SCEE managing director and Psygnosis co-founder Ian Hetherington, and former Nintendo of America director of development and acquisition Tony Harman – who was also executive producer of the
Donkey Kong Country franchise.
"We're looking forward to working with Real Time Worlds and are thrilled with what they're going to be achieving with Xbox 360," said Moore. "The company harbors some of the most talented people in the industry, responsible for milestone games such as
Grand Theft Auto,
Lemmings and
Donkey Kong Country. That creative history is now coming to the most powerful games platform on earth, and we can't wait for gamers to experience what this partnership can offer."
Neither company has yet revealed details of any of the games which Real Time Worlds might be making for Microsoft's next-generation console. Real Time Worlds' only announced game thus far is
Grand Theft Auto-style online title
APB: All Points Bulletin.
APB is currently
to be published on PC by Korean-headquartered MMO publisher Webzen, and is scheduled for release in early 2007.
