Reports are coming in that 38 Studios and Big Huge Games (the Baltimore branch of 38 Studios) have been closed.
A ‘a source with knowledge of the situation’ has told Joystiq that all the staff have lost their jobs. 38 Studios have not paid their staff since May 1st.
Big Huge games recently completed Kingdoms Of Amalur: Reckoning and it was hoped that a rescue package from Rhode Island’s government would save the developer.
Gamasutra are reporting the following rather abrupt email was sent to staff at 38 studios:
The Company is experiencing an economic downturn. To avoid further losses and possibility of retrenchment, the Company has decided that a companywide lay off is absolutely necessary.
These layoffs are non-voluntary and non-disciplinary.
This is your official notice of lay off, effective today, Thursday, May 24th, 2012.
As always we hope those involved can find new jobs soon, Bryan Reno from TellTale games has already offered an olive branch to those affected and has tweeted there are positions available at The Walking Dead developer.
Sitorimon
I thought KoA did quite well? Studios seem to be dropping like flies regardless of success.
nemesisND1derboy
It did ok, but apparently the game needed to sell 3 million to break even. It didn’t do nearly well enough.
jediryan123
They can’t expect a new IP to just sell 3 million copies. Maybe a really big dev like valve or blizzard could but not big huge games.
MadBoJangles
I wonder how many it sold then?
I bought it day one and thought it was fantastic personally.
KeRaSh
What a shame. I hope they all landon their feet. Best of luck to everyone!
Kennykazey
Didn’t Big Huge Games make AOE3? That’s one of my favourite PC games… I wish all of them the best of luck.
Topgearsam
Big huge games made rise of nations which is still to this day one of my favorite games of all time and the game that got me into strategy games.
Will be sad to see them go.
Fade into Dream
Sad I wish for the best
2ofclubs
No more content for Amalur then? That is a shame, only just got it last week and thoroughly enjoying it. Sort of makes it a collector’s piece now.
bigbaldwolf
Good luck to all thos affected and if Naughty Dogs tweets are anything to go by some of you will be back in work before you know it
Forrest_01
Wow, that e-mail is a touch on the abrupt side!
Almost like “You did some good work, you got paid for that. Now sod off! We have already sold your desk.”
yogdog
Gutted by this, Big Huge made Rise of Nations which to this day remains one of my fave strategy games. Still play it now and again…
Best of luck guys!