THQ Closing Rise of Nations Developer?

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— gross.tim on March 18, 2009 - 16:30.

Last updated on March 20, 2009 - 19:31.

Germany —

Publisher THQ has now announced that they will have to close their developing studio Big Huge Games (Rise of Nations), if a sale can not be completed "in the near future." Also, THQ is intending to turn their studios Heavy Iron and Incinerator into independent developers.

The publisher has sent an official warning to the developers - "a mandatory notification of imminent layoffs of more than 50 employees in any company of more than 100."

This is part of restructuring measures of THQ to save money. An official statement read as follows:

As part of THQ’s previously announced business realignment and related headcount reduction plans that targeted cost reductions of $220 million, including a reduction in workforce of 600 people worldwide, THQ today notified the staff at two of its development studios that they will be spun out as independent companies: Heavy Iron in Los Angeles, CA, and Incinerator in Carlsbad, CA.

In addition, THQ informed the staff at its Big Huge Games studio in Timonium, MD, that it plans to close the studio if a sale is not completed in the near future. These actions were unfortunate but were necessitated by the difficult economic environment.

The Big Huge Games were founded in 2000 and were working on PC RTS games like Rise of Nations. Though the games received very good critics, the series could never sell too well. THQ purchased Big Huge Games in early 2008.

It remains to be seen what will happen to current projects of the studio, which includes an RPG game by Ken Rolston, who was the co-creator of the highly successful Oblivion.

—

gross.tim

on March 18, 2009 - 16:30

—

Last updated on March 20, 2009 - 19:31

551 points

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THQ Closing Rise of Nations Developer? View Edit Revisions Votes THQ Closing Rise of Nations Developer? — gross.tim on March 18, 2009 - 16:30. Last updated on March 20, 2009 - 19:31. Germany — Publisher THQ has now announced that they will have to close their developing studio Big Huge Games (Rise of Nations), if a sale can not be completed "in the near future." Also, THQ is intending to turn their studios Heavy Iron and Incinerator into independent developers. The publisher has sent an official warning to the developers - "a mandatory notification of imminent layoffs of more than 50 employees in any company of more than 100." This is part of restructuring measures of THQ to save money. An official statement read as follows: As part of THQ’s previously announced business realignment and related headcount reduction plans that targeted cost reductions of $220 million, including a reduction in workforce of 600 people worldwide, THQ today notified the staff at two of its development studios that they will be spun out as independent companies: Heavy Iron in Los Angeles, CA, and Incinerator in Carlsbad, CA. In addition, THQ informed the staff at its Big Huge Games studio in Timonium, MD, that it plans to close the studio if a sale is not completed in the near future. These actions were unfortunate but were necessitated by the difficult economic environment. The Big Huge Games were founded in 2000 and were working on PC RTS games like Rise of Nations. Though the games received very good critics, the series could never sell too well. THQ purchased Big Huge Games in early 2008. It remains to be seen what will happen to current projects of the studio, which includes an RPG game by Ken Rolston, who was the co-creator of the highly successful Oblivion. — gross.tim on March 18, 2009 - 16:30 — Last updated on March 20, 2009 - 19:31 551 points Related Coverage Big Huge Games Saved? THQ acquires "RPG company" Big Huge Games Fantasy Wars (PC) - updated Journey to the Center of the Earth to Reach the DS Battle of the Bands Ships for the Wii	Advertisment_Rightbar_Standard Story Tags Big Huge Games Rise of Nations THQ Kennst du schon die stark verbesserte deutsche Version? Please note: After the launch of our improved German website GamersGlobal.de, and for the time being, GamersGlobal.com is no longer actively supported. Share Delicious Digg Reddit Newsvine Facebook Technorati
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