The 'Microsoft Studios' branding has had a long a fruitful life. Carrying Redmond from the original Xbox into its current, somewhat confused nature of the Xbox One, it seems the group is finally ready for an external change. At least when it comes to the logo.
Yesterday saw the group's social media platforms alter their branding with a new, expanded logo and name. Now apparently to be known as Microsoft Studios - Global Publishing, the iconic ink-plot underline now sits between both old new with 'Global Publishing' sitting on the lower tier alongside a rather abstract logo that doesn't quite have the pull of the classic branding.
NeoGAF users jumped straight into their speculation seats hoping to work out what's going on before Microsoft make any formal announcement. With no announcement yet to come through, it's time to see what they've concluded. The general consensus thus far appears to suggest how the company will handle publishing games within IP not currently under their ownership. Keen-eyed forum users have noted how a few games have been re-organised on the official Microsoft Studios website while the page has been updated with the new logo.
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While nobody can say for certain under Microsoft make an official announcement, it would appear to be a way to differentiate between titles developed within in-house studios like The Coalition and Reagent Games to those developed outside the company, but with their publishing supervision - like Remedy Entertainment's Quantum Break. The original thread maker hopes it has something to do with Microsoft's recent efforts in Japan while a similar thought could link back to the renewal of the Scalebound trademark - a game cancelled by the group earlier this year.
Again, we're going to have to wait to learn more. Speculation can only take us so far, and most of us aren't properly qualified to guess what a branding alteration means for a multi-billion dollar corporation. All we can hope, however, is that it's meaningful news and not just change for the sake of change. Surprise us, Microsoft!
