Microsoft Games

Background

This was the original name of Microsoft's gaming division, formed in March 2000; before that, Microsoft published video games under its own name. The company was spun out from an internal games group for the development and publishing of video games for Microsoft Windows; it later expanded to produce games for Xbox platforms and other Microsoft systems. It was renamed Microsoft Game Studios in 2001.

1st Logo (July 7, 1996-Early 1997)

Visuals: On a black background, there is a white laser carve the outline of the then-current Microsoft logo in white. Once the spark reaches the bottom of the "t," the outline suddenly becomes the full Microsoft text in white, then it shines and disappears with a bright flash.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: A loud, phaser-like noise when the laser carves the "Microsoft" outline, followed by two pings, then a computerized dreamy synth note when the Microsoft logo shines and disappears.

Audio Variant: On Deadly Tide, it uses a light synth piano theme.

Availability: Should be on Windows 95 CDs and on other game CDs from the era, such as some Magic School Bus games and Nickelodeon's 3D Movie Maker. It was seen on Monster Truck Madness, Hellbender, and Deadly Tide.

2nd Logo (October 13, 1997-March 31, 2002)

Visuals: On a space background, there is the moon in the up-right corner, and the sun in the up-left corner, with white clouds in the bottom-left corner. Then the camera pans to an unknown white planet (which is Earth), where the clouds come from. The camera pans to the planet, until the screen turns completely white from the clouds, then Microsoft's 1987-2012 "Pac-Man" logo fades in, and zooms to us, then stops.

Variant: A still version also exists.

Technique: CGI of the planets, and the 2D logo.

Audio: A dreamy, sci-fi space-orchestra tune which then grows more dramatic and becomes a fanfare.

Availability: Seen on games from the late 90s like the first two Age of Empires games, Monster Truck Madness 2, the first two Midtown Madness games, and Halo: Combat Evolved. The color-reverted still version appeared on MechCommander, NBA Inside Drive 2002, Amped: Freestyle Snowboarding, Azurik: Rise of Perathia, and NightCaster: Defeat the Darkness.

3rd Logo (AC&S Studio variant) (May 31-December 25, 2001)

Visuals: On a black background, there is a thick white blur, which forms into the Microsoft logo of the time. The logo fades out, and the Action, Combat & Simulations (AC&S) Studio logo fades in, with the music carrying over.

Technique: 2D animation.

Audio: A dramatic string theme with a loud phaser/"switching-on" sound effect as the Microsoft logo blurs in, a bang when it's fully formed, and a loud crashing sound merged with a dramatic note as the AC&S logo appears.

Availability: Only seen on games produced at the (now defunct) AC&S studio. Seen on Microsoft Train Simulator for the PC and Bloodwake for Xbox.

Microsoft Games

Microsoft Game Studios ►