MUMBAI: 38 Studios, an entertainment and original IP creation company, has acquired Big Huge Games (BHG) from publisher THQ Inc.
The acquisition is a step in 38 Studios’ strategy to deliver a broad range of entertainment products centered on its original fantasy IP, codenamed Copernicus. The purchase of Big Huge Games includes all of the company’s proprietary IP, tools, technology, assets, and works-in-progress. Specific financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Big Huge Games was founded in 2000 by veteran game developers Brian Reynolds, Jason Coleman, Dave Inscore, and Tim Train. Award-winning lead designer Ken Rolston, a 25-year role-playing game designer and co-creator of Oblivion and Morrowind, is another vital and dynamic component in BHG’s success. Big Huge Games has developed top-selling games including Rise of Nations, and was built with the same talent that created Alpha Centauri, and Civilization II. Big Huge Games is currently developing an unnamed RPG title for the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system, and Windows PC.
"The acquisition of Big Huge Games will be tremendously beneficial to the growth, market position, financial stability, and long-term success of 38 Studios. BHG’s cross-platform RTS/RPG engine will accelerate the realization of our Online Entertainment Experience for the Copernicus IP. 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," said 38 Studios CEO and president Brett Close.
"Big Huge Games and 38 Studios share a common vision – to deliver the most engaging, compelling, original experiences possible. Joining the 38 Studios family allows us to continue translating our passions into great games," said Big Huge Games CEO Tim Train.
"It’s always about team. 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," said 38 Studios founder and chairman Curt Schilling.
The Big Huge Games team will be integrated into 38 Studios but will remain based in Timonium, Maryland.
