Microsoft has been a publisher in the games industry for decades, with a catalogue of around 176 titles spanning strategy, action, and other genres. Its published releases include the Age of Empires series, with entries such as Age of Empires and Age of Empires II: Gold Edition establishing it as a real-time strategy stalwart. Microsoft has also published titles like Halo: Spartan Strike and Defense Grid: The Awakening through its various publishing arrangements and first-party studios.