38 Studios makes Big Huge acquisition

By Brendan Sinclair, GameSpotPosted May 27, 2009 12:25 pm PT

Curt Schilling-led MMO outfit buys Big Huge Games from THQ, averting potential closure of Maryland-based developer.

Curt Schilling might have been a starter in his Hall of Fame-worthy career as a major league baseball pitcher, but the ace added a rare save to his resume today. Schilling's 38 Studios today announced the acquisition of Big Huge Games from THQ, which in March put the strategy-role-playing game developer on notice that it would be closed if a buyer didn't surface in short order.

"What a brave corporate logo!"

A representative for 38 Studios told GameSpot that Big Huge Games is continuing work on all the projects it had underway at the time of its acquisition, including an unnamed role-playing game for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. That project was originally revealed in 2007 and tied to high-profile Big Huge Games hire Ken Rolston, lead designer on The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. However, 38 Studios' plans for the developer extend to its own projects, specifically the massively multiplayer online game project code-named Copernicus.

"Big Huge Games' cross-platform [real-time strategy and RPG] engine will accelerate the realization of our 'Online Entertainment Experience' for the Copernicus IP," said 38 CEO and president Brett Close. "The acquisition enables us to develop and deliver top-quality games in multiple genres that are based in a shared world, ultimately maximizing the value of our Copernicus MMOG and the intellectual property as a whole."

Big Huge Games was founded in 2000 by a quartet of PC strategy-game developers whose credits included Alpha Centauri, Civilization, Civilization II, and Gettysburg. The developer is best known for its work on Rise of Nations and the fantasy follow-up Rise of Nations: Rise of Legends. More recently, the studio was responsible for the downloadable board game Catan.

Big Huge Games will continue working out of its Maryland studios. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

35 Comments

  • nurse_tsunami

    Posted May 28, 2009 12:03 pm PT

    I am kind of surprised Microsoft didn't put in a bid for Big Huge, seeing as they seemed to work well together. I am glad to see that the studio will remain open!

  • Humuhumu91

    Posted May 28, 2009 10:39 am PT

    Really good news about a really good developer. Good show Mr. Schilling!

  • Avenger1324

    Posted May 28, 2009 9:35 am PT

    It's good to see this company saved. They had done some good work with Rise of Nations, and to be shutdown by THQ only a year after acquisition didn't give them a chance to release a game.

    Let's hope it was worth it

  • barJerubsheol

    Posted May 28, 2009 7:43 am PT

    Curt and Co. saved a quality group. I'm glad. I look forward to seeing what 38 has going.

  • llakallaka

    Posted May 28, 2009 7:42 am PT

    lets make a list of what u think will be left, personaly:
    Valve
    Ubisoft
    Activision-Blizzard
    Epic
    2K
    ____
    yop...EA will FAIL

  • Quique85

    Posted May 28, 2009 6:24 am PT

    lots of compannys are being bought
    or closing soon will be left with 5 or 6

    stupid economy

  • AnarchyRising

    Posted May 28, 2009 5:43 am PT

    I hope they don't try to release an RTS MMO. I love the RTS genre but the MMO ones usually blow.

    I prefer RPG of any kind whether its first/third person, or a more original idea when it comes to persistant gameplay.

    I know the dude is an ex baseball player so I beg you, PLEASE no sports MMO haha.

  • chrisbeaumont GameSpot staff member

    Posted May 28, 2009 2:27 am PT

    MOAR RISE OF NATIONS!

    I love that game. I still play it!

  • Humorguy_basic

    Posted May 28, 2009 2:00 am PT

    I just hope this doesn't mean after the titles BHG's are working on now, they become an MMO only developer. I hope this RPG they are working on sees the light of day on PC too, as we get so few real RPG's on PC nowadays. You'd think there'd be more given the success of games like Morrowind, Oblivion and Fallout 3!!! Probably the best selling genre on PC of the last 10 years!!!

  • magusat999

    Posted May 28, 2009 12:47 am PT

    It's unfortunate that great studios like BHG cannot survive witout parasites like THQ, who probably just wanted more and more each quarter no matter how well BHG projects were selling. come on, Civ I and II were the best in that series; Rise of Nations is one of the best designed and programmed SRPGs of it's genre. I'm sure we have all heard about Alpha Centauri and Gettysburg as well - what more did THQ want???

  • Killer6b9

    Posted May 28, 2009 12:33 am PT

    This is a great story, at least EA did not acquire them!

  • gatsbythepig

    Posted May 27, 2009 11:34 pm PT

    BHG, at least it's a funny name

  • firehawk998

    Posted May 27, 2009 9:06 pm PT

    It great to hear that 38 Studios saved Big Huge Games from bankrupcy. What a stupid move THQ did.

  • BlackBaldwin

    Posted May 27, 2009 7:35 pm PT

    cool to hear that a studio was saved from closing but I have to admit that the name doesn't ring any bells... I guess they were mostly a pc game developer... but yea I'm glad they get the chance to stick around.

  • Joesocwork

    Posted May 27, 2009 7:09 pm PT

    Wow, a baseball player as a white knight!

  • dewwy

    Posted May 27, 2009 6:48 pm PT

    Really glad to hear this. But as mrklorox points out, this is one hell of a ballsy move on the part of 38. Hell, when you think about it the acquisition has a greater resume and pedigree then the owner.

  • smbius

    Posted May 27, 2009 6:33 pm PT

    Good news!!!

  • mrklorox

    Posted May 27, 2009 6:12 pm PT

    Great for Big Huge, but risky for 38 Studios who haven't shipped or even actually announced any games yet.

  • MarcJL31

    Posted May 27, 2009 6:07 pm PT

    I am glad to hear this. I loved RON and ROL.

  • shawn7324

    Posted May 27, 2009 4:55 pm PT

    Awesome.

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