Published in Gaming

Big Huge Games could close

by on19 March 2009

Image

THQ also spins off another two devs

Big Huge Games, best known for being the Maryland-based developer responsible for the Rise of Nations franchise, was notified by THQ that it is likely that the studio will be closed if a buyer is not found. The employees were notified of the situation yesterday.

In addition to Big Huge Games, THQ has also announced that it is spinning off Heavy Iron and Incinerator Studios, which are both located in California. Heavy Iron is best known for working on THQ licensed IP and is most often associated with the Pixar titles that it has done. Incinerator is the studio that has worked on the SpongeBob SquarePants and NickToons titles for THQ.

Big Huge Games features designer Chris Reynolds, who was the lead designer of Civilization II and was also responsible for taking the lead on Rise of Nations. The studio opened in 2000 and has a track record for working primarily on RTS titles. The last project that the company did was a conversion of the Catan board game for the Xbox 360 that was released on Xbox Live Arcade. Whispers suggest that the company is hard at work on a new RPG title that is being designed by Ken Rolston, one of the co-creators of Oblivion.

These moves come as little surprise as THQ is undergoing a serious belt tightening. As we reported previously, the company is targeting a cost reduction in the neighborhood of $220 million and a headcount reduction of at least 600. While the staff at Big Huge Games was notified, no exact date was put on the potential closure if a buyer does not emerge, but an inside source suggests that he expects something to be decided within the next 30 days.

Last modified on 19 March 2009
Rate this item
(0 votes)