Graalonline bought by Microsoft

unixmad · #1 04-01-2005, 03:12 PM

REDMOND, Wash. — April 1st, 2005 — Microsoft Corp. today announced it has purchased F.R.-based Cyberjoueurs, one of the world's leading online game developers, further demonstrating Microsoft's commitment to providing the most innovative interactive experiences available on its Xbox™ Live video game system. Cyberjoueurs has been the mastermind behind some of the most popular online games, including Graal Classic, Graal Kingdoms. Under terms of the $135 million cash transaction, Cyberjoueurs will today begin creating exclusive console online games for Xbox.

In a statement made from Paris, France, where the announcement was made, Stephane Portha chairman and Stefan Knorr technical director of Cyberjoueurs, said, "Our mission at Cyberjoueurs has always been to make the industry's best online games for the widest possible audience. Teaming with Microsoft gives us the best opportunity to accomplish this goal. Microsoft's dedication and commitment to game creators, research and development, and to gaming innovation made them the obvious partner to take Cyberjoueurs into the future."

"We've always insisted on pushing the envelope when it comes to creativity," added Stefan Knorrr, Technical Director of Cyberjoueurs. "And now we get the chance to create for Xbox."

"This partnership significantly broadens our already outstanding portfolio of games that will be available for Xbox Live. And it also broadens our reach internationally as gamers around the world have demonstrated their fanaticism for what Cyberjoueurs consistently produces," said Robbie Blach, Chief Xbox Officer at Microsoft.

"The last time I was this excited was the first time I picked up a modem and played a game from Cyberjoueurs," said Ed Flries, vice president of Xbox Game Content at Microsoft. "As a gamer, you could hardly wait until Cyberjoueurs's next graal version was announced. You didn't know what genre it would be, but it didn't matter because you knew you were going to love it."

With today's announcement, Cyberjoueurs becomes the latest member of a star-studded lineup at Microsoft Game Studios, joining such prestigious worldwide developers as Bungie Studios, the masterminds behind the smash hit "Halo™," named Game of the Year by Electronic Gaming Monthly. Cyberjoueurs's first creation for Xbox, "Graal Xbox," is expected to reach store shelves next spring.

Sildae · #2 04-01-2005, 03:19 PM

I, for one, welcome our new Xbox overlords!

Inspiration · #3 04-01-2005, 03:22 PM

Wow this is awesome news, I can not wait!

Edit: I've heard rumors of a Graal-Based first person shootergame being produced for online play, featuring such weapons as bows, boomerangs, and explosive bomy grenades. Confirm/Deny??

Skyld · #4 04-01-2005, 03:26 PM

What's the date today?

protagonist · #5 04-01-2005, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skyld

What's the date today?

2003_emily_2003 · #6 04-01-2005, 03:40 PM

Wow, shame I don't have a Xbox yet :/

Velox Cruentus · #7 04-01-2005, 03:41 PM

How will Graal XBox work? Will it connect directly to the current playerworlds/gold server? Or will they remake them according to what they believe best for the market?

And... Graal has been developed quite arround communications. To what I know, XBox's don't have keyboards.

xXDuMajuXx · #8 04-01-2005, 03:42 PM

If this WAS an april fools joke, I'm guessing Unixmad is the fool, no?

Quote:

Today, 02:12 PM

URBANLEGEND · #9 04-01-2005, 03:45 PM

I will now be buying an X-Box to play graal.

Does this mean the account prices will sky rocket?

Velox Cruentus · #10 04-01-2005, 03:51 PM

Hrm.. Wasn't considering the date, actually... April 1st. Although, corperations shouldn't joke about such. *shrugs* Regardless how the outcomes are, I doubt it would really matter.

URBANLEGEND · #11 04-01-2005, 03:59 PM

haha, its funny, i cant find this news story anywhere but it this thread....hmmm

Xeross · #12 04-01-2005, 04:12 PM

If this isent actually a fake i can only say ROFLMAO

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stefan Knorr

We've always insisted on pushing the envelope when it comes to creativity,"

Yeaaa Creativity just look at the titles of the games and servers (Graal Classic, Graal 2001, Graal 2002 then Graal Kingdoms, Graal 3D and now Graal Xbox) oh hey really creative there partner

unixmad · #13 04-01-2005, 04:20 PM

It was an april fools joke, sorry everyone

Minoc · #14 04-01-2005, 04:22 PM

The original:
http://www.gamepartisan.com/microsof...x.php?view=241

Didn't want to post that earlier. :P

LoadedSwift · #15 04-01-2005, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unixmad

It was an april fools joke, sorry everyone

You sneaky snake, You!

2003_emily_2003 · #16 04-01-2005, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unixmad

It was an april fools joke, sorry everyone

I knew something smelt fishy. I wouldn't buy an Xbox to play graal anyways. o-o

Obvious · #17 04-01-2005, 04:37 PM

Although that would be a cool xbox game.. I would buy it most likely if graal did make a graal xbox.

Inspiration · #18 04-01-2005, 04:38 PM

Since this rumor has upsettingly been proven false, I will begin a brand new bid for Cyberjoueurs!

On behalf of myself, officially bid $5 to purchase the rights to the company.

I understand the risk involved in my investment, however, I see this deal not as $5 spent, but as $5 well invested into the future.

Darlene159 · #19 04-01-2005, 04:39 PM

I know I am on vacation until the 4th, but I had to post to this thread
Unixmad totally fooled me, I was all congratulating him and everything...wasn't fair though, he sent me the link to the forum thread when I just woke up, and hadn't had my coffee yet

He even said he was gonna buy me a truck, lol (I didn't believe that one though...although one can dream

)
I forgot today was April 1st. hehe

URBANLEGEND · #20 04-01-2005, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inspiration

Since this rumor has upsettingly been proven false, I will begin a brand new bid for Cyberjoueurs!

On behalf of myself, officially bid $5 to purchase the rights to the company.

I understand the risk involved in my investment, however, I see this deal not as $5 spent, but as $5 well invested into the future.

I bid $150.00

Velox Cruentus · #21 04-01-2005, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by URBANLEGEND

I bid $150.00

Aww... Man, you shouldn't bid that high! You'll never get that money back, you know?

Inspiration · #22 04-01-2005, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by URBANLEGEND

I bid $150.00

Damn, I wasnt aware any Big-Leaguers were around here.

I just can't roll that high.

maximus_asinus · #23 04-01-2005, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by URBANLEGEND

I bid $150.00

My bid is 250$
No wait... 430$!

Fry · #24 04-01-2005, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maximus_asinus

My bid is 250$
No wait... 430$!

431$

maximus_asinus · #25 04-01-2005, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fry

431$

PFFT. I can find another dollar around here somewhere!

Crono · #26 04-01-2005, 05:35 PM

Ok I -knew- this would be an april fools joke, how obvious. :/

URBANLEGEND · #27 04-01-2005, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fry

431$

$3,463.70

Unpredlctable · #28 04-01-2005, 05:55 PM

Pfft, you should've waited till tomorrow to expose the joke, Unixmad!

Benm00t · #29 04-01-2005, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerami

Ok I -knew- this would be an april fools joke, how obvious. :/

Same, I knew before even opening. Seeing "Microsoft" in the title screamed fake at me. :-P. If you had said a company of lesser fame, then maybe...

--Chris-- · #30 04-01-2005, 05:57 PM

Laugh
Out
Loud

Unpredlctable · #31 04-01-2005, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benm00t

... If you had said a company of lesser fame, then maybe...

Haha yeah, I'm thinking that too. Microsoft, a multi-billion dollar corporation to... eh.

Crono · #32 04-01-2005, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unpredlctable

Pfft, you should've waited till tomorrow to expose the joke, Unixmad!

everyone got it dude, and if they didnt then WOOOOOOAH they must be banged up in the head. (had to use proper terms to make it sound less offensive

!)

maximus_asinus · #33 04-01-2005, 06:22 PM

on a completely unrelated topic, what ever happened to Nintendo and Graal on GBA?

Minoc · #34 04-01-2005, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maximus_asinus

on a completely unrelated topic, what ever happened to Nintendo and Graal on GBA?

Canceled.

Chris · #35 04-01-2005, 06:52 PM

Haha @ the people that thought it was real.

XGoLink · #36 04-01-2005, 06:57 PM

You guys are so old, 1st April only counts until 12 o clock..

GoZelda · #37 04-01-2005, 06:58 PM

Heh, was too good to be true.

Lance · #38 04-01-2005, 07:08 PM

Nicely done.

GoZelda · #39 04-01-2005, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lance

Nicely done.

Yeah. Do you think unixmad made it? Because the English is quite good.

Edit: Saw the source, but I'm not gonna delete this because I want a higher postcount.

PrinceDark · #40 04-01-2005, 07:25 PM

I was believing it until the end of the second sentence of the first paragraph. Then I saw that price and was like wtf.