New Microsoft Studio In London To Boost Tablet Gaming

Max Smolaks,

The all singing, all dancing Surface tablet will also do videogames

A new Microsoft studio in London will develop games and entertainment software for Windows 8 tablets – and the company is jilting Silicon Roundabout by expanding in Soho.

The new outfit will be led by Lee Schuneman ,  former production director at UK-based Rare, the company responsibile for a long list of successful gaming projects including GoldenEye 007, Viva Piñata and Kinect Sports. Its mission will be to make interesting cloud-based entertainnment software that is constantly online, delivered on Microsoft windows 8 tablets.

Microsoft studio hits Soho

The yet-unnamed company will form part of Microsoft Studios, along with three existing UK game developers – Rare, Lionhead and Soho Productions. Why did Microsoft need another game developer in its portfolio? Well, the new team will focus on cloud based  “Entertainment as a Service“, a recent concept in gaming, inspired by Software-as-a-Service (SaaS).

Just Like SaaS, this new philosophy involves providing on-going support for products over a long period of time. In gaming, this would mean frequent patches and updates with new content, just like with more serious applications.

Microsoft has said that the new studio will form part of its “continued expansion across the region”.

“I’m hugely excited by this new venture,” said Schuneman in a statement. “Adding a fourth UK-based studio to the incredible roster of talent already in place not only increases our in-region studio presence, but will allow Microsoft Studios to explore the many creative and business opportunities that developing new games and entertainment experiences on Windows 8 tablet devices and platforms will afford.”

The office will initially be based at Microsoft Studios’ Great Pulteney Street premises off Shaftesbury Avenue, and is expected to open doors in November. Microsoft has started a related recruitment drive on its website.

Last month, in preparation for the imminent Windows Phone 8 release, Microsoft had launched the Windows Phone Dev Center, the ultimate destination for anyone designing apps for its mobile operating systems.

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