Troubled real-time strategy and role-playing developer Big Huge Games lives on, with Curt Schilling's 38 Studios stepping up at the last moment for a late game save.
38 Studios has purchased Big Huge Games from THQ, adding a huge chunk of quality real-time strategy and role-playing talent to their roster and saving the developer from imminent closure. In March of this year, previous owner THQ threatened to close the studio following losses of $191.8 million in the previous financial quarter. Then came the layoffs. With the purchase, 38 Studios acquires all of Big Huge's intellectual property, development tools, and works in progress, including RPG legend Ken Rolston's upcoming role-playing game.
"It's always about team," said 38 Studios Founder and Chairman Curt Schilling. "The highly regarded developers at BHG, including leading role-playing and real-time strategy design teams led by Ken Rolston, are a perfect complement to 38 Studios' staggering array of talent. Big Huge Games is a phenomenal team and, culturally, a natural fit."
Big Huge Games will be integrated into 38 Studios, but will continue to operate out of Timonium, Maryland.
Having been eagerly awaiting Ken Rolston's RPG project since it was first announced in 2007, this is welcome news indeed. A feel-good story in a time of industry turmoil. Besides, how often does a star starting pitcher manage to get the save?