Microsoft Acquires 'Splosion Man Developer

Microsoft ensures that 'Splosion Man and his wife stay in the Xbox family by purchasing now former independent developer Twisted Pixel.

Microsoft isn’t known for having the best and most productive group of first party developers, but it looks like they are trying to change that with today’s announcement that they have acquired indie game developer Twisted Pixel, developers of XBLA hit Splosion Man.

Founded in 2006, Twisted Pixel released their first game, The Maw, on both the Xbox Live Arcade and Windows in 2009. Since then they’ve worked closely with Microsoft on a string of entertaining titles including the aforementioned 'Splosion Man, Comic Jumper: The Adventures of Captain Smiley and Ms. 'Splosion Man. Their most recent effort, The Gunstringer, saw them diversify their development by releasing as a Kinect game on the 360.

At this time there are no details as to how much Microsoft paid to bring Twisted Pixel into their stable of exclusive developers that includes Lionhead Studios and Rare Ltd.

#Twisted pixel #'splosion man #Acquisition #Indie

Anonymous

10/12/2011 at 12:27 PM

We can only hope that the same fate that befell Rare doesn't also happen to Twisted Pixel.

Nick DiMola Director

10/12/2011 at 01:29 PM

I know I'm in the minority, but I've enjoyed Rare's output on the 360. That aside, this is pretty big news. I can't say I've been a big fan of really anything Twisted Pixel has done, but Microsoft made a good acquisition.

Esteban Cuevas Staff Alumnus

10/12/2011 at 02:14 PM

Twisted Pixel is a great company. Microsoft was smart in acquiring them. Like said above, I hope they don't wind up like Rare.

Jason Ross Senior Editor

10/12/2011 at 06:09 PM

I wouldn't call Twisted Pixel a "great" company. At least, not from the Ms. 'Splosion Man I've played. I'd call them a company that's gotten by, at least in one case, on quick gimmicks that don't make for very enjoyable gameplay maybe.

I don't know what people see in their 'Splosion games...

10/13/2011 at 12:32 AM

Well, I love them. I haven't played Ms. 'Splosion Man yet but there isn't a doubt in my mind that I would love that game. 'Splosion Man! *sung to the tune in the Trojan commercials*

10/13/2011 at 01:46 AM

This, this, and this represent how I feel about the game. From what I understand 'Splosion Man isn't quite as well designed as Ms. 'Splosion Man. And I believe most would say Comic Jumper is the worst of the three most recent titles, though I've never played it.

My point is that there's dozens of better-built, more enjoyable games out there that don't rely on the gimmick of blind-siding you with precision surprise timings, yet Twisted Pixel gets praise for it. That, and the inane wacky humor they use which borders much more on the side of annoying than funny.