Microsoft to acquire BigPark, working on Xbox 360 exclusive

by Ludwig Kietzmann { May 7th 2009 at 3:41PM }

What you know about BigPark probably isn't enough to fill a small garden -- but you'll likely be hearing a lot about the Vancouver-based company in the coming weeks. Microsoft has announced plans to acquire the group, which bills itself as an "interactive online entertainment company." Its founders, who came together in 2007, claim to share a goal of creating "great games in an inspiring and collaborative environment for highly talented and creative people." Though BigPark itself has yet to do so on its own, its members are said to have produced popular franchises such as Need for Speed and SSX. Update: BigPark's first project was a free-to-play tower defense game, called Wizard Defense.

Microsoft and BigPark -- now reporting to Microsoft Game Studios -- will "continue" collaborating on an Xbox 360-exclusive title, one that is likely to be unveiled at next month's E3. "We're looking forward to being part of the Microsoft Game Studios team, where we believe we can successfully contribute to shaping key Microsoft initiatives through fresh and engaging consumer experiences," said Wil Mozell , studio president and co-founder of BigPark. Mozell's name doesn't ring a bell, but another co-founder does: Don Mattrick, Microsoft's current VP of Interactive Entertainment Business.

According to BigPark's rather ambiguous website, its goal is to "expand gaming audiences around the world and bring them together through accessible and highly entertaining interactive experiences." Expanding audiences through accessible experiences? That definitely sounds like a part of Microsoft's ongoing attempts to put the Xbox 360 in the same space as Nintendo's Wii.

[Thanks, DanteSparda504]

Tags: Acquisition, BigPark, e3-2009, Microsoft

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Bowser Rogozhin: Princess Nyah Defence Force @ May 7th 2009 3:53PM

Why does BigPark's 'rather ambiguous' website link back to a Joystiq tag? How am I supposed to point out that Microsoft have possibly acquired another dud company, ala Rare? How am I supposed that Hanno Lemke, for example, has a CV primarily based on the atrocious Need For Speed/NHL series? How am I too cause agitation if you don't link to the company site, Kietzmann? How?

Bowser Rogozhin: Princess Nyah Defence Force @ May 7th 2009 3:54PM

"How am I too"

Oh dear. It's late.

Dante Sparda @ May 7th 2009 3:55PM

Rare = Best developers ever.

Tony @ May 7th 2009 4:06PM

The linking on Joystiq drives me nuts... It's a normal expectation for names of sites to link to the site in question. It rarely happens here.

tmacairjordan87 @ May 7th 2009 4:15PM

"Rare = Best developers ever."

10 years ago.

iluvmyzune @ May 7th 2009 4:38PM

sweet, new talent is awsome. maybe they can be the Tom Brady of devs.

Snowblind @ May 7th 2009 4:48PM

Kameo and Viva Pinata are easily amongst the best games Rare have ever done. Nuts & Bolts was great too, assuming you don't mind the massive change in gameplay direction.

Ludwig Kietzmann @ May 7th 2009 5:17PM

Honest mistake -- the link should be correct now.

Tony, I just looked over the front page and there's a link to every relevant source page in the body of the post (in addition to the image and the "source" text at the bottom). I'm not sure what you mean.

Marty @ May 7th 2009 5:24PM

@tmacairjordan87 - Wrong.

Try Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts. I just got around to finishing that game the other day, and it is easily one of the best games on the Xbox. Rare is a really great developer, and almost all of their recent works have been great (barring PDZ of course).

THE WICKER MAN (BWF) (GT: Dalek Prime) @ May 7th 2009 5:35PM

I really want to play nuts and bolts. Seems pretty fun. I did think Kameo and PDZ stunk. Viva was fun with the family.

iluvmyzune @ May 7th 2009 5:46PM

where are my super awsome zune exclusive games??

tmacairjordan87 @ May 7th 2009 6:34PM

I disagree. Nuts and bolts was probably the worst 360 exclusive I can remember playing. The only thing that kind of takes the pain of wasting $40 on it was the free code for the original...but I coulda spent $15 on that instead of $40 on an awful game.

Ashkental @ May 8th 2009 10:50PM

Sounds like what some would describe Media Molecule joining sony before LBP was announced...

Jack Tretton @ May 7th 2009 3:59PM

"'...expand gaming audiences around the world and bring them together...'"

Expand then compact?

joeybeast @ May 7th 2009 3:59PM

super! now if we can get some MS E3 rumors going. I'll be a happy camper.

matt247 @ May 7th 2009 4:10PM

Here's a game they've made: http://wizarddefense.com/

THE WICKER MAN (BWF) (GT: Dalek Prime) @ May 7th 2009 4:11PM

I am sorry if I am wrong, but hasn't Microsoft just been laying off staff and closing studios left and right? Now they are buying one? WTF? They don't have money in their budget to pay staff but can spend it on a new studio? God I love companies!

NaeemTHM @ May 7th 2009 4:13PM

Hey when you've got 8 bajillion dollars, you tend to do crazy things.

THE WICKER MAN (BWF) (GT: Dalek Prime) @ May 7th 2009 4:16PM

lolz, guess so.

iluvmyzune @ May 7th 2009 4:40PM

unlike sony microsoft made money. Even tho the xbox division lost 31 million, that was all the zunes(ironic much??) and WinMO fault, not 360.

shibathedog @ May 7th 2009 6:18PM

^Has no idea what he is talking about

Nick8708 @ May 7th 2009 8:35PM

That's the nature of business. You try to make cuts in some places and investments in others in order to net an overall increase in profits.

tenor77 @ May 7th 2009 4:15PM

I see the future.

June 2013:
"BigPark leaves Microsoft Game Studios"

THE WICKER MAN (BWF) (GT: Dalek Prime) @ May 7th 2009 4:18PM

Much like the alternate 1985 Hillvalley ruled by Biff Tannen, I see this ending in disaster. I think this works better: "Dateline Aug 20 2010 Microsoft closes doors on Big Park studios.

whazam1337 @ May 7th 2009 4:38PM

They need all the exclusives they can get. Let em have it it gives people something to play other then halo and gears. Now now .... dont go h8t'n on your old friend Whaz kuz i used to be a halo 2 freak but eh... im not 14 years old anymore.

THE WICKER MAN (BWF) (GT: Dalek Prime) @ May 7th 2009 5:16PM

Happy 15th Birthday!!!

Tuxy79 @ May 7th 2009 4:44PM

Yay, I guess.

kaploowee @ May 7th 2009 5:08PM

Funny thing ... the person who funded BigPark is Don Mattrick who happens to work for MS ... conflict of interest anyone?

Marty @ May 7th 2009 5:28PM

If the developer is making games exclusively for the Xbox, it's not a conflict of interest at all.

THE WICKER MAN (BWF) (GT: Dalek Prime) @ May 7th 2009 5:32PM

He is saying thats its funny how a company that matrick had a stake in has been picked up my MS.

343 Guilty Fart @ May 7th 2009 6:10PM

It's not conflict of interest, more the opposite, like the old boys club.

Jinsenken @ May 7th 2009 5:10PM

How is this "Breaking News"?

Maverick Saturn @ May 7th 2009 5:57PM

Because its breaking the silence

Premature ejaculation man @ May 7th 2009 6:51PM

I guess because all Microsoft does is have their first party devs sold out from under them or liquidated

Zingerhill @ May 7th 2009 5:58PM

I hope there is another SSX-like game for 360/PS3. I really loved SSX Tricky. Pure is pretty good.

thesins @ May 7th 2009 6:48PM

Wizard defense game is horrible! Why would microsoft acquire the studio?

MariusElijah (Only on PlayStation 3) @ May 7th 2009 7:00PM

Didnt MS just fire a lot of people. Contradicting much

Inect @ May 7th 2009 8:02PM

The recession is an excuse for them to lower expenses. Microsoft still has huge cash flow. IBM did the same thing a few months ago.

Hey look we're profiting more then last year, to bad we have to let people go.

Rollo Tomasi @ May 7th 2009 8:18PM

Is Microsoft shifting their attention to Nintendo? Is Sony now an afterthought in the war?

Dv8thwonder @ May 8th 2009 4:09AM

Judging by recent rumors of motion controls and "broadening horizons" I'd say yes.I think they aquired Big Park to make a game similiar to Wii Sports but that's for another topic altogether.