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Overheard@PAX: 'Don't drink your own Kool-Aid'
On Saturday, we attended Big Huge Games prez Tim Train's panel on the near death of his studio (saved at the eleventh hour by Curt Schilling's 38 Studios). And while we'll have a full writeup on the very candid panel for you very soon, we felt it necessary to share Train's word of warning to studios with long-term employees who are working on a single, long-term game: "Don't drink your own Kool-Aid." Train issued the warning while explaining the business missteps (from the top down) at Big Huge that lead to his studio's near downfall. He explained the tale of his studio's unsuccessful attempts at pitching a "AAA" real-time strategy game to publishers unwilling to invest in his company, and the eventual "worst day of my life" when he was mere days from sending out layoff letters to the entire staff. Like Tim, we're rather glad the day never came.
GDC10: Copernicus' Project Mercury being published by EA
If you have been eagerly awaiting news on the top-secret Copernicus over at 38 Studios, you'll be pleased to hear that 38 Studios broke the silence today. "Project Mercury," a single-player title set in the Copernicus universe, will be coming to the PC, XBox 360 and PS3. 38 Studios signed a publishing deal with EA to bring the game to market. "Project Mercury" is described as "an epic single-player role-playing game," and is being developed by 38 Studios-owned Big Huge Games under the guiding hand of Ken Rolston (Morrowind and Oblivion). This will be the first Copernicus project launched by Curt Schilling's team after years of anticipation and heavy speculation. As NASA's Project Mercury set out to test the boundaries of space by putting a man into orbit, "Project Mercury" looks to be testing the waters of single-player RPGs before diving into the realm of MMOs, similar to the approach of fan-favorite Torchlight. Stay tuned to Massively, as we meet with Copernicus' R. A. Salvatore later this week at GDC to pick his brain.
EA to publish 38 Studios' first project, developed by Big Huge Games
Electronic Arts will publish 38 Studios' first game -- which will not be the studio's interminably tardy MMO Copernicus -- the company announced today. The game has been codenamed "Project Mercury" and is being developed by Big Huge Games, acquired by 38 last year. The mysterious, "epic single-player" RPG is under the stewardship of Ken Rolston, former lead of the last two Elder Scrolls titles. "Project Mercury" is set in the Copernicus universe, created by fantasy author R.A. Salvatore, with artistic direction by Spawn creator Todd McFarlane. Salvatore is expected to speak later this week at GDC. The game is scheduled for release on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC when it's done.
Age of Empires 3 collection advancing Sept. 15
Microsoft has announced that it's bringing Age of Empires III: Complete Collection to Games For Windows on September 15. By "complete," it means the original game plus its two expansions: The Asian Dynasties and War Chiefs for a grand total of $49.99. It's a reasonable price to pay for the handiwork of Halo Wars creator Ensemble Studios, although no matter how many copies you buy, the disbanded developer won't be coming back. (But hopefully one of the two studios that rose from its ashes will create something on par with the historic RTS series, someday.)
38 Studios estimates it will take 50 to 100 million to finish Copernicus, Schilling looking for investors
Curt Schilling is out on the field again -- the investing field, that is. The former baseball star turned game developer is looking for more investors to back 38 Studios and their first game, the title codenamed Copernicus. The company's estimates for their game requires 50 to 100 million more in funding for the staff, all with their tentative December 2010 launch in mind.Keep in mind, of course, that 38 Studios has acquired Maryland developer Big Huge Games, the company known for Rise of Nations, Rise of Legends, and Xbox Arcade's version of Catan. That acquisition doubled the company's headcount and has possibly driven operating costs into the 15 to 20 million a year range, according to the Boston Globe.So far Schilling hasn't had any luck with potential investors. However, as he said to the Boston Globe, "I'm not going to complain about the economy. It's like pitching on a rainy day. The other guy has to pitch in it, too."[Via Cuppycake]
Big Huge Games boss Brian Reynolds leaves, joins Zynga East
When 38 Studios CEO Brett Close told Joystiq that his company's acquisition of Big Huge Games from THQ was due in no small part to the "incredible veteran talent" at the developer – even singling out Oblivion and Morrowind designer Ken Rolston – we had assumed that he was also referring to the studio's CEO and Creative Director, Brian Reynolds. Yeah, you see where we're going with this ...Social gaming developer Zynga (think: Mafia Wars) announced today that it has hired Reynolds to fill the newly created position of "chief designer" (a reaction to social gaming competitor Playdom's appointment of legendary game designer Steve Meretzky to the position of VP of game design last year?). Reynolds will "head up operations at Zynga East" in Baltimore, and "production efforts will be focused on creating new social network games ... with a strategic emphasis."When asked for comment on Reynolds' departure, Close told Joystiq, "38 Studios highly values the vision and contributions of BHG founder Brian Reynolds to the portfolio of BHG products and the video game industry in general. We wish him great success in his new endeavor." But with Reynolds out, who's left to run things at BHG (they've still got titles in development after all)? Close said, "With regards to his position at BHG/38S, we are still evaluating roles and responsibilities between the two studios; the other founders and top talent at BHG are stepping up in the meantime."Chief amongst those "stepping up" would be co-founder Tim Train, President and Chief Operations Officer of Big Huge Games, as well as the studio's General Manager. Train told us, "Having worked with Brian for seventeen years, I'm very excited to see what fresh ideas he'll bring to the social gaming space. I'm also happy to have a new studio in the Baltimore area that can attract new talent and investment to the region. We wish Zynga East the best!"So: is Maryland joining Massachusetts as a mecca for East Coast game development? With just 12 to 15 employees at Zynga East, we're not quite ready to say that, but consider our curiosity officially piqued.
38 Studios CEO Brett Close on the Big Huge Games acquisition and the Copernicus IP
Joystiq's fearless leader Chris Grant recently caught up with 38 Studios CEO Brett Close to discuss their recent acquisition of Big Huge Games, and what this might mean for the "Copernicus" MMO. Massively has mentioned Copernicus at a few points in the past, but unfortunately in terms more vague than we'd like. We know it's a fantasy MMO project that draws upon notables like R.A. Salvatore and Todd McFarlane, but Joystiq turned up some more info about Copernicus. Close stresses that Copernicus is an IP that will exist in several channels; there will be books, graphic novels, and of course an MMO that draws upon these elements. "Rather than drilling into details about why this is going to give people something they have never experienced before... what I will tell you is that it's simply based on that talent [R.A. Salvatore and Todd McFarlane] and based on our approach and our experience in building these products. There's nothing like it out there right now. And I don't believe there's anybody working on anything like this right now."
Interview: 38 Studios CEO on Big Huge Games acquisition
Is something in the air? While this week saw ZeniMax's acquisition of industry legend id Software, last month saw newcomer 38 Studios' acquisition of Big Huge Games, THQ's troubled developer that, like id, has rockstar status of its own. We had a chance to talk with 38 Studios' CEO Brett Close shortly after the announcement last month. On the plate: What will Big Huge be working on now? What's happening to the two titles BHG was working on for THQ? And when could we see something Copernicus-themed from Big Huge Games?Joystiq: Why Big Huge games? And were you looking or considering any other developers to bring into the 38 Studios family?Brett Close: Well, we've got 36 studios to go, of course.
Curt Schilling's 38 Studios acquires THQ's Big Huge Games
Looks like THQ's short-lived ownership of Rise of Nations-developer Big Huge Games has finally come to a close, with upstart MMO dev 38 Studios announcing an acquisition today. According to this here press release, the "acquisition is a critical step in 38 Studios' strategy to deliver a broad range of entertainment products centered on its original fantasy IP, codenamed Copernicus."So, Copernicus-themed projects only from here on out? 38 Studios' CEO and President, Brett Close, says, "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." However, the presser also mentions that BHG is actively developing an unnamed RPG for 360, PS3, and PC (ostensibly the rumored Ascendant), but makes no mention of God: The Game, in development for Wii. Will Ascendant be relocated into the world of Copernicus? We have no idea, but we do know that while BHG will be integrated into [Massachusetts-based] 38 Studios," the Maryland-based developer will stay put.More as we learn it.
In limbo: Big Huge Games ... games
Big Huge Games could be saved from the swinging axe, according to a report from Kotaku, which also details two games the company was in the middle of developing: God: The Game and Ascendant. God: The Game was planned for Wii, with obvious inspiration from games such as Animal Crossing and The Legend of Zelda, and seems to have been early in development based on the game art available.The other title, Ascendant, was destined for Xbox 360, PS3, and PC, and is (was?) an action RPG set in a fantasy world. A brief trailer for the game confirms that Ken Rolston, lead designer for Oblivion, was involved. Based on that trailer and some in-game shots, we'd say Big Huge Games was on the verge of living up to its name.There could still be hope for these games, though. Unnamed sources claim that several buyers are checking out the developer, including Curt Schilling's 38 Studios. Hopefully, Big Huge Games can be big huge saved.
Big huge layoffs at Big Huge Games
THQ-owned Big Huge Games has reportedly laid off a "huge number" of employees, an unnamed source told Develop this morning. Reports less than two weeks ago had THQ selling Big Huge Games unless it found a buyer quickly. According to THQ spokesperson Julie MacMedan, THQ was looking for a buyer (at the time) to pick up Big Huge in the "near future." Considering the predicted 50 percent chance of survival of THQ, selling the Catan and Rise of Nations developer may be a last ditch endurance effort on the part of THQ that hasn't gone through, thus resulting in the job cuts.We asked THQ for a statement regarding the alleged layoffs and Ms. MacMedan responded this evening, saying, "We continue to pursue a sale of Big Huge Games. Yesterday, some of the staff were notified that they were not going to be part of the future direction of the studio. We are not providing exact headcounts at this time." Little else is known at this time, though we've put in word to Big Huge Games for further comment and we'll update as news comes in.
Report: THQ selling Rise of Nations dev Big Huge Games
With the new developer smell (which is really more of a musk) still hanging in the air, Maryland-based Big Huge Games has found itself in the path of THQ's unyielding axe. This according to Crispy Gamer, which reports that the embattled publisher plans to close the studio if it can't sell off the Rise of Nations and Rise of Legends developer in, to use THQ mouthpiece Julie MacMedan's timeline, the "near future."The company was only just acquired by THQ early last year, but 2008 was a simpler time -- well before the publisher's plans to cut nearly a quarter of its workforce and its shortfall last quarter of nearly $200 million. As analysts continue to circle overhead, THQ's financial future may very well be pinned on Big Huge Games' sale. Well, unless Fiddy can be persuaded to part with a certain crystal skull.
THQ acquires Rise of Nations developer Big Huge Games
Despite the unbridled enormity implied by its name, Rise of Nations and Catan developer Big Huge Games will fit snugly within the confines of publisher THQ, right next to the cupboard where all the film licenses are kept. Gamasutra reports that while the studio will maintain its autonomy and current management, it is to become a wholly-owned subsidiary of THQ for an undisclosed, possibly large massive amount.THQ's executive VP of worldwide studios, Jack Sorenson, used a run-on sentence to describe the acquisition as "a poster child for the way we like to approach things, which is that clearly we have a strategy of being in big genres on big, original IP, but we also have a very carefully constructed philosophy in how we look at internal developments, so working with a developer for an amount of time so we can get to know each other is a big prerequisite on internal versus external, so Big Huge Games hits all our strategy points." In other words, he thought it was a pretty good idea, as did Big Huge Games COO, Tim Train. "It's rare to find a publisher who understands games on the level and depth that [THQ] do, and they share our position for quality in a great environment," said Train.The quality expected to escape from said great environment includes a mysterious new IP from Big Huge Games (it's what "sealed the deal," said Sorenson) and the previously announced, Ken Rolston-led RPG slated for release in 2009.
New Catan content settles on Xbox Live
While it may not be as exciting as, say, a downloadable expansion, there is new Catan content available on Xbox Live Arcade. It's not particularly exciting though, as it won't significantly alter your game at all. First, there is a picture pack available that will set you back 100 MS Points. Somewhat more interesting, you can download the Mayfair skin, which will give your gameboard the appearance of the original Mayfair Games version. The Mayfair skin will set you back 100 points as well.Anyone planning on downloading this content, or will you save your money for an expansion?
Age of Empires III goes far east, or short west, this fall
While Ensemble Studios finishes Halo Wars, the development of Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties falls on Brian Reynold's Big Huge Games, best known for Rise of Nations and Rise of Legends (and developers of XBLA's Catan). Reynolds says, "We feel that the in-depth experience of Big Huge Games in the real-time strategy genre, combined with the solid reputation of the Age of Empires franchise, will result in something fresh and unique for gamers." Considering Age of Empires and Rise of Nations are two sides of the same coin, it's certainly interesting to see how chummy Ensemble and Big Huge Games are here, considering they should be competitors. This would also be another recent instance of Big Huge Games working closely with Microsoft. Strangely, the press release really doesn't drop many details. Asian civilizations will be playable, 15 new Asian "wonders" and "new ways of winning and trading." The screenshot you see above is also the only one that was released. The press release feels like Microsoft is just letting consumers know that Big Huge Games is taking the Age of Empires franchise out for a spin. We'll see how they enjoy the ride when the game ships on ... yeah, doesn't say that either.
Big Huge Games to make RPG with THQ
Remember how back in February we told you about Ken Rolston, lead designer for both Morrowind and Oblivion, joining the ranks of Big Huge Games (of recent Catan fame) to work on an RPG project? Well, last week there was an official announcement from THQ that they are working on that very same RPG project alongside BHG (with Ken in tow) and it will be hitting Xbox 360s, Windows Vista PCs and PS3s in 2009. Tim Train, President and COO of BHG displayed his enthusiasm towards the project's direction in the RPG genre. Make the jump to take the dive for more PR fluff to sift through. Still, THQ & BHG RPG FTMFingW?
THQ and Big Huge Games start making Small Tiny Games
The two companies, THQ and Big Huge Games, have entered into an agreement to start working on an RPG for the PC, PS3 and 360. The bad news? We're not going to know squat until near its release in 2009. There's no name for it, no details on what kind of RPG it is... nothing. All we got is "2009".However, Big Huge did score an RPG guru named Ken Rolston. This guy has worked on a number of pen & paper role-playing games as well as the Elder Scrolls titles. Rolston said this about his new job: "[I'm] flabbergasted by the talent, craft and boundless energy of the Big Huge Games team. In such splendid company, I'm privileged to embark on a bold pilgrimage to create a refreshingly original RPG experience." Well, we know a refreshingly original RPG experience is due out in 2009. Hopefully people will know how to port a PS3 title then. We'll give you details as they get penned.
Win Catan from Uncle Gamer
Angry that you can't download the trial version of Catan? Too frightened to pony up 800 Microsoft Points for a game you haven't played? If so, why not get Catan for free? Our friends at Uncle Gamer scored a copy and they're giving it away to one lucky winner. What do you have to do? Simple, just answer one little question: what's your favorite board game? If you'd like your shot at a free copy of Catan, head over to Uncle Gamer and give it a go.Keep in mind, leaving a comment here will win you absolutely nothing (except love and affection from us, of course).
Catan trial issues surface, fix inbound
As many of our commenters pointed out, the trial version of Catan has disappeared from Xbox Live Arcade. Major Nelson informs us that the trial version was pulled because of a "technical" issue. The Live team is currently working on a fix for the trial version and will put it back on Live as soon as possible. If you've already managed to download the trial version it should work fine (in other words, you don't have to delete it).Of course, if you like taking risks, the full version is still available for 800 points.
XBLA hosts Catan, infested by Centipedes
We're at a loss for words. Xbox Live Arcade has set an unprecedented streak. For weeks upon weeks, we have had no gaps in our gaming goodness. Furthermore, we have even received multiple games during the same week. Now this week we'll be getting both Catan and the Centipede/Millipede combo. We only have one question: what the hell are we supposed to complain about? Xbox Live Arcade was our go-to source for dissatisfaction and now it seems to be humming along ... smoothly. Catan can be had for 800 points, while Centipede and Millipede will set you back a mere 400.Sigh ... it's just not fair.
