By: Stephen Crane
38 Studios, the developers behind Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning have layed off their entire staff and ar shutting down both their Rhode Island office, and subsidiary Big Huge Games, according to inside sources.
Things haven't been looking good for the developer for a while now. According to Joystiq, the employees haven't been paid since May 1st. That may in part be because of the large amount of money the studio owes the state of Rhode Island. In order to develop the game, the studio borrowed $75 million from Rhode Island and used the Amalur IP as collateral.
With money tight, and the game not selling as well as had hoped, 38 Studios is pretty much forced to close its doors. According to Rhode Island governor, Lincoln Chafee the game had to sell 3 million copies. According to Curt Schilling, one of the creators of the game, it only sold about 1.2 million in the first 90 days.
Unfortunately for Rhode Island, the IP is only worth an estimated $20 million and the transfer of the property over to them leaves behind a fair amount of unpaid debt.
On the heels of this news, the greater video game industry opened up. Developers took to Twitter seeking jobs, and offering help to those who lost their jobs. Hopefully all 379 employees without jobs will be able to find something new and continue creating.
That's horrible!
I really liked KoA: Reckoning too, I thought it was a great game.
Posted by: Dillon Feldman | 05/25/2012 at 08:39 AM
I love the game! Can't believe that more people didn't pick it up and try it out. It's got a great story and the game play and graphics were great. Really sad to hear that this has happened, I was going to play follow up games from 38 Studios & BHG.
Posted by: Eric Rausch | 05/25/2012 at 09:01 AM
i guess that means the future plans of an mmo and book line are out that's horrible i own the game and i love it... its a game i can keep playing over and over....i think it is on the level of the fable franchise....but to many people obscenes over skyrim and now a great game is going to be lost
Posted by: Joe Lund | 05/25/2012 at 09:06 AM
Personally didn't like the game, and it had horrible timing on its release, what with ME3 and Skyrim so close. So really not surprised. I thought it was too much of a throwback, and too much like alot of other games. I am sorry to see the company go under though, because it was well done, and hope the employees find a place.
Posted by: Migi | 05/25/2012 at 09:23 AM
That's a shame. I actually hadn't heard about this one, but it looks like it's worth a try if you like the genre. I'm always up for more custom-oriented character progress. Might grab it on Steam.
Posted by: Lia Fitzgerald | 05/25/2012 at 10:09 AM
Yeah this was a great game. I preordered it, I don't know why more people didn't buy it
Posted by: Clayton Kilmer | 06/11/2012 at 11:06 AM
I follow Alex and Ani on Facebook and I own the Path Of Life Expandable Wire Bangle Set which I wear EVERYDAY! I love the blgane sets and have purchased some for close friends, who equally love them as well! I don’t Tweet, but I do Facebook and have posted your blog to the News Feed.
Posted by: Maurice | 08/13/2012 at 11:59 PM