FASA Studio explained

FASA Studio
Former Name:FASA Interactive Technologies Inc.
(1994–2002)
Type:Subsidiary
Industry:Video games
Foundation: in Chicago, Illinois
Founder:Jordan Weisman
Location:Redmond, Washington, U.S.

FASA Studio (formerly FASA Interactive Technologies Inc.) was an American video game developer that was founded in 1994 in Chicago, Illinois by the tabletop game company FASA Corporation.[1] FASA is an acronym for "Freedonian Aeronautics and Space Administration".[2]

In 1996, FASA Interactive and Virtual World Entertainment, another company created by FASA Corp. founders Jordan Weisman and L. Ross Babcock, became wholly owned subsidiaries of Virtual World Entertainment Group (VWEG). In 1999, Microsoft Corporation purchased VWEG to acquire the talent at FIT and the intellectual properties of FASA Corp. The VWE component of VWEG was sold to a group headed by VWEG's former CFO, James Garbarini. FASA Interactive then became a FASA Studio, a component of Microsoft Game Studios.[3] As such, the company developed games exclusive to the Windows and Xbox platforms Its headquarters were located in Redmond, Washington, only a few miles from Microsoft Corporation's main campus.

FASA was officially shut down on September 12, 2007, with only the Community Manager and Technical Support Manager positions remaining active to support their games.[4] Microsoft subsequently licensed the rights to produce electronic adaptations of FASA games back to Weisman, who directed a venture called Smith & Tinker.[5] Smith & Tinker closed down November 8, 2012.

Games developed

!Year!Title!Platform!Note(s)
1998MechCommanderWindowsPublished by MicroProse and Hasbro Interactive
2000
2001Co-developed with Cyberlore Studios
MechCommander 2
2002Co-developed with Cyberlore Studios
MechAssaultXboxCo-developed with Day 1 Studios
2003
2004Co-developed with Day 1 Studios
2007ShadowrunWindows, Xbox 360

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Keefer . John . March 31, 2006 . GameSpy Retro: Developer Origins . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070609133145/http://www.gamespy.com/articles/697/697083p18.html . June 9, 2007 . . 18.
  2. Web site: About FASA . https://web.archive.org/web/20041213194300/http://fasastudio.com/about_fasa/default.htm?c00=0 . 2004-12-13 . FASA Studio.
  3. Book: Loguidice . Bill . Vintage Game Consoles: An Inside Look at Apple, Atari, Commodore, Nintendo, and the Greatest Gaming Platforms of All Time . Barton . Matt . February 24, 2014 . CRC Press . 9781135006501 . 513 . 1064676510 . To bolster its lineup, Microsoft acquired FASA Studio and made them part of Microsoft Game Studios. . Matt Barton (motorcyclist).
  4. News: McWhertor . Michael . 2007-09-12 . Shadowrun Developer Shuts Down . . dead . 2007-09-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071016053720/http://kotaku.com/gaming/breaking/shadowrun-developer-shuts-down-299338.php . 2007-10-16.
  5. Web site: Ransom-Wiley . James . December 6, 2007 . Weisman licenses MechWarrior, Shadowrun, Crimson Skies rights back from MS (internet finally notices) . https://web.archive.org/web/20071212235446/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/06/weisman-licenses-mechwarrior-shadowrun-crimson-skies-rights-ba/ . 2007-12-12 . Joystiq.