Microsoft’s “Project S”, a secret strategy game that we uncovered earlier today, isn’t a Halo title. It is, however, being worked on by former Age of Empires developers.
https://kotaku.com/microsoft-seeks-testers-for-secret-project-s-strategy-g-5581838
Robot Entertainment, a studio that was formed by ex-Ensemble staffers following the closure of the venerable PC developers, appears to be the team responsible for “Project S”, whose launch screen you can see up top there.
https://kotaku.com/microsoft-confirms-ensemble-closure-announces-new-de-5047485
It’s not Halo. The game’s other codename, Spartan, appears to be its actual name (at least for now), with the splash screen showing a cute little Greek warrior. As for what type of game it is, that we don’t know; the original reports said it was a “ground-breaking strategy game”, though from the load-up sequence terminology – which has quests, units and crafting – we could guess it’s got some RPG elements to it as well.
Robot’s website – which coincidentally relaunched today – also mentions that the studio is working on a game for Microsoft Game Studios
UPDATE – We’ve now heard that despite the cute appearance, this game has a lot in common with – surprise, surprise – Age of Empires, taking the core gameplay of Ensemble’s old series and giving it a visual…well, if not update, then change in direction.
