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FASA Studio

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FASA Studio
FormerlyFASA Interactive Technologies Inc.
(1994–2002)
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
Founded1994; 32 years ago (1994) in Chicago, Illinois
FounderJordan Weisman
DefunctSeptember 12, 2007; 18 years ago (2007-09-12)
HeadquartersRedmond, Washington, U.S.
Parent

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".[1][2]

History

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FASA Interactive Technologies was formed in 1994 by FASA Corp. founders Jordan Weisman and L. Ross Babcock to create video games based on its BattleTech, MechWarrior, and Shadowrun intellectual properties.[3] After its formation, it took over development of the MechWarrior series.[4]

Microsoft acquired FASA Interactive in 1999, changing its name to FASA Studio.[3] Now under the Microsoft Game Studios banner, it developed games exclusively for Windows and Xbox.[5][6][7] Weisman was named creative director of Microsoft's entertainment division[4] and the company's 60 developers were relocated to Microsoft's main campus in Redmond, Washington.[3][8][9]

Following the acquisition, FASA released MechWarrior 4 in 2000[10] and MechCommander 2 in 2001.[3][11] It also produced two MechAssault titles.[12] Weisman left Microsoft in 2002.[13]

FASA's final release was the online multiplayer shooter Shadowrun, based on the popular role-playing game. It ultimately sold poorly on Xbox 360 and PC after its May 2007 release.[14][15] On September 12, the company announced it was officially being shut down. Only a Community Manager and Technical Support Manager retained their positions in order to support its games.[16][17] Many of the studio's employees were transferred to other companies under Microsoft Game Studios. Microsoft retained the video game licenses for Crimson Skies, MechAssault, and Shadowrun.[6]

Microsoft subsequently licensed the rights to produce electronic adaptations of FASA games back to Weisman, who directed a venture called Smith & Tinker.[14][18][19] Smith & Tinker closed down November 8, 2012.[citation needed]

Games developed

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Year Title Platform Note(s)
1998 MechCommander Windows Published by MicroProse and Hasbro Interactive
2000 MechWarrior 4: Vengeance
2001 MechWarrior 4: Black Knight Co-developed with Cyberlore Studios
MechCommander 2
2002 MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries Co-developed with Cyberlore Studios
MechAssault Xbox Co-developed with Day 1 Studios
2003 Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge
2004 MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf Co-developed with Day 1 Studios
2007 Shadowrun Windows, Xbox 360
Cancelled Untitled Shadowrun game[20]
Cancelles MechWarrior Prime[12]
Cancelled Mechwarrior 5[21] PC, Xbox
Cancelled Crimson Skies 3[22] PC, Xbox 360

References

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  1. 1 2 Keefer, John (March 31, 2006). "GameSpy Retro: Developer Origins". GameSpy. p. 18. Archived from the original on June 9, 2007.
  2. ↑ "About FASA". FASA Studio. Archived from the original on December 13, 2004.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Source, Microsoft (January 7, 1999). "Microsoft Acquires FASA Interactive". Source. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
  4. 1 2 Dahlen, Chris (May 8, 2008). "Interview: Jordan Weisman". Game Developer. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
  5. ↑ Jenkins, David (September 12, 2007). "Microsoft Closes FASA Studio". Game Developer. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
  6. 1 2 Thorsen, Tor (September 13, 2007). "FASA Studio KIA". GameSpot. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
  7. ↑ Loguidice, Bill; Barton, Matt (February 24, 2014). Vintage Game Consoles: An Inside Look at Apple, Atari, Commodore, Nintendo, and the Greatest Gaming Platforms of All Time. CRC Press. p. 513. ISBN 9781135006501. OCLC 1064676510. To bolster its lineup, Microsoft acquired FASA Studio and made them part of Microsoft Game Studios.
  8. ↑ Brice, Kath (August 26, 2009). "Microsoft "destroyed development culture" at FASA - Weisman". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
  9. ↑ Morris, Chris (January 7, 1999). "Microsoft buys MechWarrior developer". money.cnn.com. Archived from the original on March 20, 2019. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Mechwarrior 4 : Vengeance review". Eurogamer.net. February 6, 2001. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
  11. ↑ "CG Online-- MechCommander 2 Review". www.cgonline.com. Archived from the original on November 22, 2001. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
  12. 1 2 Allen, Jay (October 10, 2017). "How anime landed BattleTech and the MechWarrior games in legal trouble". PCGamesN. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
  13. ↑ Lahti, Evan (September 5, 2015). "MechWarrior creator talks Microsoft's relationship with PC gaming, new game". PC Gamer. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
  14. 1 2 Bergfeld, Carlos (December 6, 2007). "FASA Founder Regains Rights to MechWarrior, Shadowrun, Crimson Skies from Microsoft". Shacknews. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
  15. ↑ Ciolek, Todd (June 11, 2018). "E3 2018: Here's What Happened To Every Studio Microsoft Has Bought". IGN. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
  16. ↑ McWhertor, Michael (September 12, 2007). "Shadowrun Developer Shuts Down". Kotaku. Archived from the original on October 16, 2007. Retrieved September 13, 2007.
  17. ↑ Sliwinski, Alexander (September 13, 2007). "FASA Studio is dead". Engadget. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
  18. ↑ Ransom-Wiley, James (December 6, 2007). "Weisman licenses MechWarrior, Shadowrun, Crimson Skies rights back from MS (internet finally notices)". Joystiq. Archived from the original on December 12, 2007.
  19. ↑ Androvich, Mark (December 7, 2007). "Former FASA developer licenses properties back from Microsoft". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved July 12, 2026.
  20. ↑ Ahearn, Nate (June 28, 2007). "Inside the Industry: FASA Studio". IGN. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
  21. ↑ Sulic, Ivan (March 21, 2003). "No More MechWarrior". IGN. Retrieved November 20, 2025.
  22. ↑ Heath, David (January 10, 2020). "15 Canceled Open-World Games You Never Knew Existed". GameRant. Retrieved July 13, 2026.
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