Microsoft Corp is taking an undisclosed minority stake in a new computer games developer formed in Austin, Texas by one of the luminaries of the business. The man is Chris Roberts, previously a vice-president at the Origin Systems Inc subsidiary of Electronic Arts Inc, where he helped develop hits such as the Wing Commander air combat game; his new company is Digital Anvil Inc. As well as putting up the seed money, Microsoft will fund production of Digital Anvil’s games and market them under a joint brand. According to the Wall Street Journal, which hears Microsoft may be in for as much as $70m to $100m over time, the first titles, due in 1998, will be in the action story and action strategy genres, with an emphasis on three-dimensional multi- player and cinematic presentation. Digital Anvil’s executives include film director Robert Rodriguez, who is expected to develop interactive movies and on-line games for multiple players, and the start-up also plans to seek opportunities in film and other media.
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