Ensemble Studios was a video game development company known for creating the popular real-time strategy game series Age of Empires. Founded in 1995, the studio gained recognition for its innovative gameplay and historical themes, appealing to a wide audience of gamers. The company was acquired by Microsoft in 2001, which allowed it to expand its resources and reach. Ensemble Studios continued to develop successful titles, including Age of Mythology, until it was closed in 2009. Despite its closure, the legacy of its games remains influential in the strategy genre.