The news was exclusively announced by Develop earlier this week.

The MGS European office will be based in Reading and headed up by Phil Spencer, who takes the role of general manager. He will report to Shane Kim, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios. Shane will build a European publishing team alongside Shannon Loftis (director of European production) and Todd Stevens (director of business management).

“Europe is a really important market for us,” Spencer told MCV. “Microsoft-owned companies like Lionhead and Rare have been important partners alongside companies such as Bizarre Creations and Real Time Worlds."

"We want to continue to grow that and to work with the best talent in Europe. The history of European games development is rich. Europe has always boasted some of the best talent – we’re looking forward to working with that talent even more.”