Shacknews is reporting a rumor that Ensemble Studios (Age of Empires) will shut down completely following the release of the upcoming console RTS game Halo Wars (due next year). According to their anonymous sources, described as "multiple independent reports," employees not associated Halo Wars were let go today, while incentives have been offered to those staying on to complete that project. Neither Ensemble nor Microsoft have commented on this story at this point. Thanks nin.