Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Rhode Island prepared to sell 38 Studios' Amalur intellectual property]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/rhode-island-prepared-to-sell-38-studios-amalur-intellectual-pr/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/rhode-island-prepared-to-sell-38-studios-amalur-intellectual-pr/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/20/rhode-island-prepared-to-sell-38-studios-amalur-intellectual-pr/#comments
The state of Rhode Island's last keepsake of 38 Studios - beyond a $100-million-plus loan debt - is the company's Amalur intellectual property, which it's planning to sell off shortly. The Providence Journal reports there is interest in the asset, but the lawyer in charge of the sale hasn't revealed a value.

Meanwhile, a hearing in the state's lawsuit against the architects of the 38 Studios loan is scheduled for this Wednesday, after studio founder and former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling was unable to get the suit dismissed in March.

The sale of the studio's physical assets net the state approximately $830,000. Following the sale of the IP, Rhode Island tax payers will have to pay off the rest of the debt.

JoystiqRhode Island prepared to sell 38 Studios' Amalur intellectual property originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 20 May 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioscurt-schillingpcrhode-islandrhode-island-economic-development-corporationMon, 20 May 2013 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Revisiting Reckoning: How Kingdoms of Amalur got the single-player MMORPG right]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/revisiting-reckoning-how-kingdoms-of-amalur-got-the-single-play/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/revisiting-reckoning-how-kingdoms-of-amalur-got-the-single-play/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/08/revisiting-reckoning-how-kingdoms-of-amalur-got-the-single-play/#commentsThis is a weekly column from freelancer Rowan Kaiser, which focuses on "Western" role-playing games: their stories, their histories, their mechanics, their insanity, and their inanity.

Revisiting Reckoning How Kingdoms of Amalur gets the singleplayer MMORPG right
Recently, I decided to play Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning in remembrance of its one-year anniversary this past February, knowing I'd have to contend with two things that dominated discussion about the game: the politics and failures behind the 38 Studios disaster and dealing with a game I had been warned was filled with fantasy nonsense names and detailed lore - a model of storytelling I find quite annoying. But when I finally played Reckoning, I was surprised to learn how much I enjoyed it. I had an instant gut reaction to the game's beauty. It reminded me of the best times I'd spent in massively multiplayer role-playing games, and that was totally unexpected.

My first character in World of Warcraft, the MMORPG that consumed most of my time with the genre, was a Night Elf starting on the island of Teldrassil. What I remember of that first character's journey wasn't tied to game mechanics, player interaction or even narrative, it was the feel of that starting zone. I remember the lush setting, trees with a slightly exotic, magical tinge, luxurious purples and greens, the seemingly perpetual twilight, the hints of corruption and danger, and the music hinting at all of those things and the history of the Night Elves. Indeed, most of my best experiences while playing WoW solo took place in those verdant, corrupted provinces, with Feralas probably my favorite of the old world.

I didn't expect to ever have the same feeling again, but Reckoning delivered.

Gallery: Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning (7/28/11)

Continue reading Revisiting Reckoning: How Kingdoms of Amalur got the single-player MMORPG right

JoystiqRevisiting Reckoning: How Kingdoms of Amalur got the single-player MMORPG right originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-StudiosBig-Huge-GamesEAElectronic-Artskingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningmicrosoftOpinionpcplaystationps3Western-RPGsxboxFri, 08 Mar 2013 16:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Schilling asks judge to throw out lawsuit over $75 million loan]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/04/schilling-asks-judge-to-throw-out-lawsuit-over-75-million-loan/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/04/schilling-asks-judge-to-throw-out-lawsuit-over-75-million-loan/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/03/04/schilling-asks-judge-to-throw-out-lawsuit-over-75-million-loan/#comments Curt Schilling, founder of defunct 38 Studios, asked a judge to throw out The Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation's lawsuit that alleges Schilling and studio executives misled the agency in securing a $75 million taxpayer-guaranteed loan. The lawsuit accuses Schilling and his crew of fraud, racketeering and conspiracy.

Schilling's lawyers filed documents on Friday to Superior Court Judge Michael Silverstein, asking him to throw out the lawsuit. The documents claim Schilling and other board members repeatedly disclosed 38 Studios' financial situation to the EDC, and that the EDC knew $75 million wouldn't be enough to finish its MMO, Project Copernicus.

"Given the EDC's admissions concerning 38 Studios' disclosures to the EDC's executives, attorneys and financial advisor, it is impossible for the EDC simultaneously to claim that the 38 Studios defendants supposedly defrauded the EDC," the filing reads.

JoystiqSchilling asks judge to throw out lawsuit over $75 million loan originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 04 Mar 2013 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioscurt-schillingedclawsuitrhode-islandrhode-island-economic-development-corporationMon, 04 Mar 2013 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Events 2012: 38 Studios]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/31/events-2012-38-studios/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/31/events-2012-38-studios/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/12/31/events-2012-38-studios/#comments Architects of 38 Studios' $75M loan sued by Rhode Island EDC38 Studios was the video game story of the year with mainstream appeal. Much of that mainstream appeal had to do with Curt Schilling, the former baseball player for the Boston Red Sox who went on to found his own video game studio. But the story was way more than Schilling.

The state of Rhode Island and its taxpayers were on the hook for a $75 million loan given to the studio as part of an economic development deal. As the video game industry in the US works toward tax incentives to stop the slow brain drain to the north, the very public collapse of 38 Studios and its relationship to the government is exactly what those working on industry tax breaks - especially in neighboring Massachusetts - did not need.

38 Studio is a saga, but we've selected a couple pieces to highlight here that took place in the middle of the studio's collapse and its aftermath.

JoystiqEvents 2012: 38 Studios originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Dec 2012 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioscurt-schillingevents-2012rhode-islandrhode-island-economic-development-corporationriedcMon, 31 Dec 2012 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Darksiders 2, Kingdoms of Amalur, EndWar all coming to PSN Nov. 20]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/16/darksiders-2-kingdoms-of-amalur-endwar-all-coming-to-psn-nov/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/16/darksiders-2-kingdoms-of-amalur-endwar-all-coming-to-psn-nov/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/16/darksiders-2-kingdoms-of-amalur-endwar-all-coming-to-psn-nov/#comments Darksiders 2, Kingdoms of Amalur, EndWar all coming to PSN Nov 20Prepare to get your brutality, fantasy, and strategy on, as Darksiders 2, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, and Tom Clancy's EndWar are all arriving on PlayStation Network November 20. This week's PlayStation Blogcast confirmed the trio of PS3 digital releases.

Darksiders 2 recently got its second downloadable content pack, Abyssal Forge. Developer Vigil Games claims the DLC has some of the toughest enemies in the game. But, as the saying goes, Death laughs in the faces of a game's toughest enemies, or something. According to the podcast, the PSN version of Darksiders 2 includes a pass to the game's Crucible arena, and the official soundtrack.

Eccentric shoot-em-up Sine Mora lands on PSN next week too, for PS3 and Vita. Grinding onto Vita via PSN is Jet Set Radio, free for PS Plus users until the end of the year. Clan of Champions and the fifth episode of The Walking Dead will be available online for PS3.

JoystiqDarksiders 2, Kingdoms of Amalur, EndWar all coming to PSN Nov. 20 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Nov 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosbig-huge-gamesdarksiders-2EAkingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningplaystationplaystation-vitaps3PSNthqtom-clancys-endwarubisoftvigil-gamesvitaFri, 16 Nov 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Architects of 38 Studios' $75M loan sued by Rhode Island EDC]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/01/Rhode-Island-38-studios-lawsuit/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/01/Rhode-Island-38-studios-lawsuit/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/01/Rhode-Island-38-studios-lawsuit/#comments Architects of 38 Studios' $75M loan sued by Rhode Island EDCThe Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (EDC), the quasi-public group that granted the $75 million taxpayer-guaranteed loan to 38 Studios, has filed a lawsuit against the architects of the 2010 deal. WPRI reports the defendants include 38 Studios founder Curt Schilling and CEO Jennifer MacLean, former EDC executive director Keith Stokes, Wells Fargo Securities, Barclays Capital and many, many more.

"I know you work hard for your paychecks, and for your tax dollars to be squandered is unacceptable. The board's legal action was taken to rectify a grave injustice put upon the people of Rhode Island," said Governor Lincoln Chafee in a prepared two-and-a-half-minute statement posted on YouTube (found after the break, with text transcript).

The full complaint [PDF] alleges the former EDC board never ordered an independent assessment of 38 Studios' capabilities to finish Project Copernicus before the loan was approved, even though it was to do so. It also claims Wells Fargo received nearly $500,000 "in hidden commission from 38 Studios" that weren't disclosed to the EDC board.

The recent public auction at 38 Studios' former Providence HQ grossed approximately $650,000. The auction at 38 Studios' Big Huge Games division in Maryland brought in $180,000. It's estimated 38 Studios owed $150.7 million when it declared bankruptcy, so far the state of Rhode Island has recovered about $830,000.

Update: We got in touch with Law of the Game attorney Mark Methenitis to boil down exactly what Rhode Island is seeking in the suit. We've placed his analysis after the break.

Continue reading Architects of 38 Studios' $75M loan sued by Rhode Island EDC

JoystiqArchitects of 38 Studios' $75M loan sued by Rhode Island EDC originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Nov 2012 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioscurt-schillingjennifer-macleankingdoms-of-amalur-reckoninglawsuitmicrosoftpcplaystationps3rhode-islandrhode-island-economic-development-corporationRIEDCxboxThu, 01 Nov 2012 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[38 Studios auction in Rhode Island earned around $650,000]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/26/38-studios-auction-rhode-island/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/26/38-studios-auction-rhode-island/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/26/38-studios-auction-rhode-island/#comments 38 Studios auction grossed $650,000The public auction held Tuesday at 38 Studios' former headquarters in Providence, Rhode Island, grossed approximately $650,000. The official number comes from the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, which held an auction last week at the former site of 38 Studios' Big Huge Games division in Maryland. That auction brought in $180,000.

The court-appointed receiver who organized the auctions told us earlier this week that the Kingdoms of Amalur intellectual property, which is Rhode Island's best hope for recouping money from its bad investment, will be sold in a negotiated transaction over the next three to six months.

It is estimated that 38 Studios owed $150.7 million when it filed for bankruptcy. The state of Rhode Island has recovered about $830,000 so far, and the remainder of the bill following the IP sale will be swallowed by state tax-payers.

Joystiq38 Studios auction in Rhode Island earned around $650,000 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Oct 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioskingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningmicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxFri, 26 Oct 2012 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[38 Studios auction had 1,000 registered bidders, sold 95% of items]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/24/38-studios-auction/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/24/38-studios-auction/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/24/38-studios-auction/#comments 38 Studios auction had 1,000 registered bidders, sold 95% of itemsThe public auction held yesterday at 38 Studios' former headquarters in Providence, Rhode Island, sold approximately 95 percent of the items available. A gross sales figure for the auction is expected later today.

According to a representative for the Rhode Island Economic Development Committee, the quasi-public agency that loaned 38 Studios the $75 million at the heart of the auction, there were over 1,000 registered participants for the auction. The auction had about 600 online participants and over 400 in-person, who had to front a $100 refundable deposit to enter the building.

The auction activities ran until 10PM last night, after starting an hour after the planned 10:30AM opening to accommodate the number of people who wanted to get in. There is the chance of another live auction to handle unsold items, which could include "more computers, servers, office furniture, etc."

Not up for auction yesterday was the Kingdoms of Amalur intellectual properly, which is the item Rhode Island is hoping to recoup the most return from its failed investment.

"I anticipate that the IP will be marketed and sold over the next three to six months," attorney Richard Land, the court-appointed receiver who organized the auction, told Joystiq. "Although the process is not yet set in stone, it is unlikely that it will be a traditional auction as you saw yesterday; more likely to be a negotiated transaction."

Last week's auction at 38 Studios' Big Huge Games division brought in $180,000. According to the 38 Studios bankruptcy filings, as reported by the AP, the company owes $150.7 million and has assets estimated at $21.7 million.

Joystiq38 Studios auction had 1,000 registered bidders, sold 95% of items originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 11:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioscurt-schillingkingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningWed, 24 Oct 2012 11:36:00 EST<![CDATA[Rhode Island can't auction off 38 Studios' Xbox dev kits, says Microsoft]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/27/rhode-island-cant-auction-38-studios-xbox-dev-kits/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/27/rhode-island-cant-auction-38-studios-xbox-dev-kits/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/09/27/rhode-island-cant-auction-38-studios-xbox-dev-kits/#comments Microsoft is requesting Rhode Island return the Xbox developer kits the state is attempting to sell at auction to recoup losses from the defaulted multi-million dollar loan to shuttered 38 Studios. In the listing of items up for bid October 23, the firm hired to facilitate the auction lists "Gaming consoles: Xbox 360 XDK consoles." Only problem is those belong to Microsoft.

"Xbox 360 Development Kits (XDK) are the property of Microsoft and are only licensed to authorized studios and may not be assigned or sold to any third party without the written consent of Microsoft," the company told Joystiq in a prepared statement. "We will be contacting the appropriate parties involved in the auction of 38 Studios' assets to remove the XDK units from the auction listing and to secure the return of the consoles to Microsoft."

SJ Corio Company, a commercial-industrial auction and liquidation company, will hold auctions in Maryland and Rhode Island on October 16 and 23, respectively. Lot listings and photo galleries of items will be posted soon, according to a company representative. Part of the long list of items up for auction are computers, audio and video equipment, consoles and peripherals, pool table, ping pong table, GE side by side stainless steel refrigerators and a video game library.

JoystiqRhode Island can't auction off 38 Studios' Xbox dev kits, says Microsoft originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 14:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosauctioncurt-schillingkingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningmicrosoftrhode-islandxboxThu, 27 Sep 2012 14:53:00 EST<![CDATA[38 Studios' Amalur MMO 'Project Copernicus' would have been free-to-play]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/18/38-studios-amalur-mmo-project-copernicus-would-have-been-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/18/38-studios-amalur-mmo-project-copernicus-would-have-been-free/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/08/18/38-studios-amalur-mmo-project-copernicus-would-have-been-free/#comments Details continue to surface regarding "Project Copernicus," the Kingdoms of Amalur MMO that once dominated development at Curt Schilling's now-defunct 38 Studios. We've seen an early trailer of the game and learned that it wasn't any fun to play, but Copernicus' more tangible bullet points, such as its pricing structure, have remained a mystery.

"We were going to be the first triple-A, hundred-million-dollar-plus, free-to-play, micro-transaction-based MMO," Schilling told Boston Magazine. "That was one of our big secrets."

Schilling went on to say that Copernicus' status as a free-to-play MMO would have been the "atom bomb" that "shocked the world," once the game eventually debuted. Copernicus' non-subscription architecture was also one of 38 Studios' strongest selling points during late-stage negotiations with potential investors, according to Schilling, and that talks could have been kept alive were it not for Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee's disparaging public tone.

Joystiq38 Studios' Amalur MMO 'Project Copernicus' would have been free-to-play originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 18 Aug 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioscurt-schillingf2pfree-to-playLincoln-Chafeepcproject-copernicusrhode-islandSat, 18 Aug 2012 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Kingdoms of Amalur MMO 'wasn't fun,' Take-Two was mystery Reckoning 2 publisher]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/23/kingdoms-of-amalur-mmo-wasnt-fun-take-two-was-mystery-reckon/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/23/kingdoms-of-amalur-mmo-wasnt-fun-take-two-was-mystery-reckon/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/23/kingdoms-of-amalur-mmo-wasnt-fun-take-two-was-mystery-reckon/#comments Despite being "in love" with the Kingdoms of Amalur MMO before its developer filed for bankruptcy, 38 Studios head Curt Schilling worried "the game wasn't fun." Schilling opens up on a variety of subjects in a recent Boston Magazine feature story, saying, "It was my biggest gripe for probably the past eight to 12 months." Even 38's own employees weren't playing it in their free time, apparently.

Additionally, Take-Two Interactive - publisher of everything from BioShock to Grand Theft Auto - is fingered as the mysterious publisher vying for rights to a Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning sequel. For its part, Take-Two calls Schilling's claim "rumor and speculation." Schilling contends the sequel deal was close to "final sign-off" when Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee's mid-May public statements gave Take-Two cold feet.

Finally, in a last minute effort to save his company, Schilling and other executives spoke with an unnamed Chinese investor about potentially working together, as well as South Korean MMO company Nexon. Neither deal panned out, and the company declared bankruptcy this past June.

The Boston Magazine piece is quite a thorough examination of the history of 38 Studios, and contextualizes much of the sordid tale we've seen play out over the past eight months. Get a delicious beverage and a comfy seat - it's gonna be a while.

JoystiqKingdoms of Amalur MMO 'wasn't fun,' Take-Two was mystery Reckoning 2 publisher originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 23 Jul 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioschinakingdoms-of-amalurkingdoms-of-amalur-mmokingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningnexonproject-copernicustake-twotake-two-interactiveMon, 23 Jul 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Former 38 Studios Creative Director provides context for leaked trailer]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/09/former-38-studios-creative-director-provides-context-for-leaked/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/09/former-38-studios-creative-director-provides-context-for-leaked/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/09/former-38-studios-creative-director-provides-context-for-leaked/#comments 0Steve Danuser is the ex-Creative Director at the shuttered 38 Studios, and in light of that leaked trailer seen earlier today he's posted a few bits of context for the video. As you might have guessed, the posted trailer was entirely a work in progress, with most assets and even the script likely set to be replaced before it appeared before the public.

The trailer itself would have been a launch trailer, likely also released with some in-game or hands-on footage, and the illustrated look seen in the trailer was planned to be a characteristic of the game itself, used to introduce the game's various races and factions.

As for the tri-circle logo, which seems very similar to the recently revealed Elder Scrolls Online logo: Danuser says the design is coincidental, and that the two MMOs were using the same themes. 38 Studios' logo was put together before anyone from the team saw what Zenimax Online was working on. "That's what you get," says Danuser, who fondly remembers working on putting the trailer together, "for basing your IP on classic themes."

JoystiqFormer 38 Studios Creative Director provides context for leaked trailer originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jul 2012 19:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioscancelledkingdoms-of-amalurkingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningleakleakedsteve-danuserteasertrailerMon, 09 Jul 2012 19:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Trailer leaked for 38 Studios' Amalur MMO]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/09/trailer-leaked-for-38-studios-amalur-mmo/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/09/trailer-leaked-for-38-studios-amalur-mmo/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/09/trailer-leaked-for-38-studios-amalur-mmo/#comments An anonymous source has released a work-in-progress version of a trailer for Project Copernicus, the Amalur MMO that 38 Studios worked on right up until declared bankruptcy. Kotaku reports that the source wanted the work from 38 Studios to be "appreciated."

Shortly before the collapse, we saw an environment flyover video, followed by set of screens from the abortive MMO. Those two releases, and the above trailer, represent the totality of released media for the game to date.

Update: the video is currently not embeddable, but you can see it on Kotaku.

JoystiqTrailer leaked for 38 Studios' Amalur MMO originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Jul 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioskingdoms-of-amalurleakproject-copernicusMon, 09 Jul 2012 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Schilling says he's 'tapped out' in first interview since 38 Studios collapse]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/22/schilling-says-hes-tapped-out-in-first-interview-since-38-stu/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/22/schilling-says-hes-tapped-out-in-first-interview-since-38-stu/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/22/schilling-says-hes-tapped-out-in-first-interview-since-38-stu/#comments
38 Studios founder and former Red Sox star Curt Schilling said he was "tapped out" of cash in his first interview since the studio's demise. In a sympathetic radio interview on WEEI (via Boston Globe) this morning, Schilling said he told his family last month, "The money I saved and earned playing baseball was probably all gone ... Life is going to be different."

Documents released after the company filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy (liquidation) show that the studio owed $150 million to more than 1,000 entities, most of that debt to the Rhode Island Economic Development Corp., and that the developer had less than $22 million in assets. Rhode Island taxpayers will now have to spend approximately $12 million annually until 2020 to repay the 38 Studios debt to bondholders.

"The employees got blindsided," Schilling said. "They have every right to be upset. I always told everybody if something were going to happen, you're going to have a month or two of lead time, and I bombed on that one in epic fashion."

Schilling also confirmed they were on the verge of signing a $35 million deal for a sequel to Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, the company's RPG project by Big Huge Games, but talks collapsed once RI Gov. Lincoln Chafee made statements about the studio's precarious financial situation. He also said Reckoning didn't bring in revenue to the studio because it still had to repay an advance to publisher Electronic Arts.

JoystiqSchilling says he's 'tapped out' in first interview since 38 Studios collapse originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 Jun 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioscurt-schillingmicrosoftpcplaystationproject-copernicusps3xboxFri, 22 Jun 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA['38 Spouse' explains decision to speak now, never heard of 'EA Spouse']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/14/38-studios-spouse-38-spouse/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/14/38-studios-spouse-38-spouse/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/14/38-studios-spouse-38-spouse/#comments Late Tuesday night an email blast went to several media outlets from '38 Spouse,' offering up an inside look into the collapsed 38 Studios "through the eyes of a spouse of one of the employees." The allusions to the EA Spouse (Erin Hoffman) incident of 2004, a watershed moment in the industry regarding working conditions, gave us pause in printing the full letter. Turns out "38 Spouse" had never even heard of her predecessor.

"No, I was not aware at the time, but have now been enlightened," she told Joystiq. Although 38 Spouse has verified her identity to us, she wishes to remain anonymous to not "cause any problems" with her husband getting a new job. He remains unemployed, she said, "But there's lots of interest and we are hoping to have something soon."

"It took me some time to get over the shock to be honest. Also, I have been looking for a temporary job, since I am not sure if we are moving or not," she told us when asked why she sent the open letter. "It's been a month and I really felt that now was the time to hear a different side of this story. I wanted to explain and make people aware in any industry, not just gaming, that this kind of thing happened. These employees were not a statistic, but real people with families and they believe in what they do."

Asked who her husband blames for the situation she said, "He really doesn't blame anyone specifically as there were a lot of different reasons things weren't working."

The full 38 Spouse letter can be found after the break.

Continue reading '38 Spouse' explains decision to speak now, never heard of 'EA Spouse'

Joystiq'38 Spouse' explains decision to speak now, never heard of 'EA Spouse' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Jun 2012 08:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-spouse38-Studiosea-spouseproject-copernicusrhode-islandrhode-island-economic-development-corporationThu, 14 Jun 2012 08:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Epic's Rein on Epic Baltimore and saving 'awesome guys' from 38 Studios' Big Huge Games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/07/epic-baltimore-big-huge-games-38-studios-mark-rein/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/07/epic-baltimore-big-huge-games-38-studios-mark-rein/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/07/epic-baltimore-big-huge-games-38-studios-mark-rein/#comments Big Huge Games members picked up for Epic Baltmore
Epic Baltimore, the new studio formed by Epic Games from the senior staff of 38 Studios' Big Huge Games, was a surprise announcement this past Sunday. Well, it's not like there was much warning for anyone, really, as Epic's VP and co-founder Mark Rein explained to us today at E3, giving much of the credit regarding the studio's creation to Epic president Mike Capps.

"Mike is the total hero there. They called him on Wednesday, interested in using one of our IPs. He flew them up the next day and they met with a whole bunch of people, and the board of directors of Epic. We made the call right there: 'These guys are awesome, we need to work with them.'"

"We don't have a final headcount yet. It's a decent number," Rein replied when asked about how many of the approximately 100 employees of Big Huge Games were going to be employed by Epic Baltimore. He told us they already had 40 resumes from BHG employees before the deal even went through. "Many of the people there had already gone on to places. This was just the core group of really experience guys who already had savings saved up that they tried to build a team and find a deal."

Rein also emphasized that they "wanted to work with one of Epic's IPs" and "it was a very good, natural fit."

With Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning 2 already in pre-production, we asked if Rein had any interest in buying Amalur from Rhode Island?

"We don't buy IP, we make IP."

JoystiqEpic's Rein on Epic Baltimore and saving 'awesome guys' from 38 Studios' Big Huge Games originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiose3-2012Epic-BaltimoreEpic-Gameskingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningMark-ReinThu, 07 Jun 2012 17:40:00 EST<![CDATA[38 Studios liquidation valued in tens of millions by RI, gov. will get every penny he can for taxpayers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/07/38-studios-liquidation-valued-in-tens-of-millions/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/07/38-studios-liquidation-valued-in-tens-of-millions/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/07/38-studios-liquidation-valued-in-tens-of-millions/#comments
38 Studios declared bankruptcy earlier this afternoon and Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee held a press conference this afternoon to discuss the company's assets, which now belong in part to Rhode Island taxpayers.

"We have had in recent days discussions with investors that were and, to my knowledge, are discussing substational numbers, which indicate that there could be significant value to the assets," said Jonathan Savage, council to the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation. "I can say that discussions we've had have been in the tens of millions of dollars."

"We are going to do everything possible to maximize return on our investment," declared Governor Chafee. "Taxpayers in Rhode Island can have full confidence that if there's a penny that we can get, or a nickle or a dime, we'll get it." Earlier this year, Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter told us that he expected 38 Studios' IP to be worth approximately $20 million.

Joystiq38 Studios liquidation valued in tens of millions by RI, gov. will get every penny he can for taxpayers originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosamalurjohn-savagejonathan-savagekingdoms-of-amalurkingdoms-of-amalur-reckoninglincoln-chafeerhode-islandrhode-island-economic-development-corporationvaluationThu, 07 Jun 2012 17:10:00 EST<![CDATA[38 Studios declares bankruptcy, formal investigation begins regarding finances]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/07/38-studios-declares-bankruptcy-formal-investgation-begins-regar/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/07/38-studios-declares-bankruptcy-formal-investgation-begins-regar/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/07/38-studios-declares-bankruptcy-formal-investgation-begins-regar/#comments
Curt Schilling's embattled 38 Studios declared Chapter 7 bankruptcy (liquidation), as Rhode Island and federal authorities open an investigation into how the company handled its finances.

WPRI reports the state police, attorney general's office, US Attorney's office and the FBI will investigate 38 Studios, "both the money that came from the state as well as the money that came from Bank Rhode Island." The Providence Journal confirmed the bankruptcy this afternoon.

Beyond the controversial taxpayer backed loan of $75 million to 38 Studios, the Bank Rhode Island reportedly loaned the developer $8.5 million earlier this year against tax credits that haven't materialized.

Joystiq38 Studios declares bankruptcy, formal investigation begins regarding finances originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioscurt-schillinglincoln-chafeepcproject-copernicusrhode-islandrhode-island-economic-development-corporationThu, 07 Jun 2012 13:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Big Huge Games members picked up for Epic Baltimore]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/03/big-huge-games-members-picked-up-for-epic-baltmore/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/03/big-huge-games-members-picked-up-for-epic-baltmore/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/03/big-huge-games-members-picked-up-for-epic-baltmore/#comments Big Huge Games members picked up for Epic BaltmoreEpic Games will open up a new studio, Epic Baltimore, made up of members of 38 Studios' Big Huge Games. The new studio is made up of members of the team responsible for Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, the only product the gutted 38 Studios was able to get to market.

"On Wednesday, the ex-BHG leadership team contacted us. They wanted to start a new company and keep together some of the key talent displaced by the layoff, and hoped that they could use an Epic IP as a starting point for a new game," Epic Games President Michael Capps wrote on the company's site. "We loved that they all wanted to keep working together, but it was pretty clear they'd have trouble building a demo and securing funding before their personal savings ran out."

Capps went on to say that Epic had been coincidentally looking to create more projects, but needed an infusion of top talent to do so. The now unemployed top talent of Big Huge Games presented a good opportunity.

He concludes that some more of the BHG refugees have been picked up by "Zynga East, Zenimax Online and other southeastern studios." The talent acquisition all but kills any chance of a Reckoning 2 - unless Epic buys the IP or has the team work on a similar project.

JoystiqBig Huge Games members picked up for Epic Baltimore originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Jun 2012 19:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosbig-huge-gamesEpicepic-baltimoreEpic-Gamesmicrosoftplaystationps3xboxSun, 03 Jun 2012 19:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Curt Schilling posts Project Copernicus screens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/curt-schilling-posts-project-copernicus-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/curt-schilling-posts-project-copernicus-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/31/curt-schilling-posts-project-copernicus-screens/#comments The 38 Studios saga continues as Curt Schilling, head of the beleaguered company, has posted screenshots of its long-in-development MMO, Project Copernicus. These are "images from the most magical, breathtaking and awe inspiring world ever created," says Schilling, images he was "'allowed' to peek at along the way, when the team wanted us all to see the magical world we were building."

Schilling also wrote regarding his recent statement that Rhode Island governor Lincoln Chafee's comments damaged 38 Studios and "scared off" potential investors. Wrote Schilling:

"Everyone has missed the point with regards to the public comments. Their impact was massive, and destructive. The 'leader' of the LARGEST investor in 38, next to me, and our PARTNER, is publicly condemning their partner. How on earth can ANYONE think for a second that is not incredibly impactful?"

Take a good look at the screens in the gallery below. Barring a miracle or an outside acquisition, it may be our last glimpse of Project Copernicus. It's also worth noting that, along with a brief flyover video, these screens represent one of our only glimpses of Project Copernicus.

Gallery: Project Copernicus (Concept Art)

JoystiqCurt Schilling posts Project Copernicus screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 31 May 2012 13:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioscurt-schillingpcproject-copernicusThu, 31 May 2012 13:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Schilling says he could lose $50 million of his own money in 38 Studios implosion [update: Chafee responds]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/29/schilling-says-he-could-lose-50-million-of-his-own-money-in-38/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/29/schilling-says-he-could-lose-50-million-of-his-own-money-in-38/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/29/schilling-says-he-could-lose-50-million-of-his-own-money-in-38/#comments Embattled 38 Studios co-founder and head Curt Schilling finally broke his weeks of silence on the Rhode Island studio's recent implosion in an interview with The Providence Journal. "Frustration" seems not strong enough a word to describe his feelings toward Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee - Schilling called Chafee's commentary surrounding 38 Studios "devastating," and claimed it "scared off private investors."

Schilling also said that he could lose $50 million due to the studio's failure - money which he earned as a professional baseball player, and which he later invested into 38 Studios. That money, as well as approximately $50 million of a planned $75 million loan co-signed by the state of Rhode Island, was eaten by 38's long-in-development MMO, "Project Copernicus."

38 Studios' Baltimore-based subsidiary, Big Huge Games, was working on a sequel to this year's Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. The project was depending on private investment to go into production - to the tune of $35 million from an unnamed publisher - which Schilling said was pushed away by Chafee's statements.

"Curt was committed to us as a community and as people, he wanted the best possible work environment for the team he cared so much for, and as a result none of us wanted to let him down," one former 38 Studios employee, speaking under condition of anonymity, told us. "He had invested so much into us financially and personally, we were not about to betray that trust. We were not going to take the chance of speaking to the press and accidentally ruining any chances with outside investors. Unfortunately, it didn't matter if the employees spoke and ruined things with the investors as the Governor beat us to it."

Last week, 38 Studios laid off its near-300 person staff in Rhode Island, as well as its approximately 100-person studio in Baltimore, Big Huge Games.

Update: Governor Lincoln Chafee responded this morning to Schilling's comments in a short Q&A session with Rhode Island reporters. "As a business person, he was new at it, and so I always had some reservations," Chafee said. "I have to verify everything, I can't just take it as a leap of faith," he told one reporter asking about the alleged $35 million that 38 Studios was on the brink of acquiring to create a sequel to this year's Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. "Hope springs eternal, but I won't misrepresent to the Rhode Islanders how dire the situation is," Chafee added. "I understand that being involved in this very risky industry that, when things aren't going well, there's gonna be blame. But this isn't accurate to be blaming the state in this case."

JoystiqSchilling says he could lose $50 million of his own money in 38 Studios implosion [update: Chafee responds] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosbig-huge-gamescurt-schillingkingdoms-of-amalur-reckoninglayoffslincoln-chafeeproject-copernicusrhode-islandrhode-island-economic-development-corporationTue, 29 May 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning 2 was in 'pre-production']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/28/kingdoms-of-amalur-reckoning-2-was-in-pre-production/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/28/kingdoms-of-amalur-reckoning-2-was-in-pre-production/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/28/kingdoms-of-amalur-reckoning-2-was-in-pre-production/#comments Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning 2 was in "pre-production" at 38 Studios' Big Huge Games in Maryland before all employees were let go last week. Several sources with knowledge of the situation tell Joystiq that the company was in advanced talks with a publisher before the events that led to the dissolution of the team.

Even if the Big Huge Games team could be salvaged under a different banner, it is unlikely that they could work on Reckoning 2. The intellectual property, tech and code (the latter used as a springboard) required to make a sequel is still owned by 38 Studios for the time being, but will likely soon be owned by the state of Rhode Island. Sources close to discussions with Rhode Island tell us that the state's asking price to release assets is too high.

Elements tested for the sequel were higher graphics quality across the board, no loading screens between zones, expanded and improved combat animations, more branching quests and greater effect on the world by players.

Continue reading Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning 2 was in 'pre-production'

JoystiqKingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning 2 was in 'pre-production' originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 28 May 2012 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosbig-huge-gameskingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningkingdoms-of-amalur-reckoning-2microsoftpcplaystationps3xboxMon, 28 May 2012 09:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Rhode Island: Fired 38 Studios staff are highly skilled, will find new work]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/rhode-island-fired-38-studios-staff-are-highly-skilled-will-fi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/rhode-island-fired-38-studios-staff-are-highly-skilled-will-fi/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/rhode-island-fired-38-studios-staff-are-highly-skilled-will-fi/#comments ImageRhode Island Department of Labor and Training director Charles Fogarty said today that the staff of 38 Studios, all of whom were laid off yesterday, will be able to find new jobs because they are "highly skilled."

"The individuals in question, most of them are pretty highly skilled," Fogarty said. "They've already been contacted by a number of employers. Our department has been contacted by folks looking for people with that type of skill."

Governor Lincoln Chafee and his team today held another press conference to address 38 Studios' financial situation, leading with the information that his office wasn't informed of the layoffs yesterday. Chafee held a press conference one hour after news of the firings broke yesterday; about 300 people in Rhode Island and almost 100 from Big Huge Games in Maryland lost their jobs.

Today, Fogarty said he didn't think it would be difficult for these former employees to find new work.

"I don't expect that they're going to be unemployed for all that length of time," he said. "So far there's only been a small number who've actually applied for unemployment benefits at this point."

Fogarty didn't say how many former 38 Studios employees had applied for unemployment. To allay concerns of the wider economic impact of supporting an influx of people on unemployment, Fogarty said the following: "Don't forget, a number of them are not Rhode Islanders. They worked here but they were not Rhode Islanders."

Of the unspecific number of people who filed for unemployment, about half were Rhode Islander residents, he said, responding to questions about the "jobs for Rhode Islanders" pitch that came with 38 Studios' founding.

Gov. Chafee doesn't think it's futile to attempt to find investors in 38 Studios, saying that when a studio is basically defunct and has no employees, "some might argue that that's the time for an investor to come in, when you can get it for pennies on the dollar, but we're still fairly pessimistic."

Unfortunately, even if an investor did jump in, Rhode Island would be the "pennies" part of that analogy, not the dollar.

JoystiqRhode Island: Fired 38 Studios staff are highly skilled, will find new work originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioscharles-fogartykingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningLincoln-Chafeemicrosoftpcplaystationps3rhode-islandxboxFri, 25 May 2012 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Editorial: 38 Studios and the Dunkin delusions]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/editorial-38-studios-and-the-dunkin-delusions/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/editorial-38-studios-and-the-dunkin-delusions/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/25/editorial-38-studios-and-the-dunkin-delusions/#comments ImageThe Providence Journal sat neatly presented on the counter at the Dunkin Donuts across the street from 38 Studios in Rhode Island, its headline clear as day: "Loan-guarantee fallout costs EDC chief his job." Further down the right column of the page was the other harbinger headline: "Too little cash to cover the check."

This was last Friday, May 18, the day after the head of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, the quasi-government group responsible for co-signing the $75 million loan to 38 Studios, was fired. It was also the day after the state couldn't deposit a $1.12 million check the studio delivered as a payment because the company's chief financial officer called to say there were insufficient funds.

A man walked up to the counter for his morning caffeine fix. I guessed he worked at 38 Studios because he had 'the look.' The lady working the counter confirmed my egregious profiling by asking, "How are things going over there?"

Continue reading Editorial: 38 Studios and the Dunkin delusions

JoystiqEditorial: 38 Studios and the Dunkin delusions originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 May 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiospcproject-copernicusRhode-IslandFri, 25 May 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Industry rallies to get former 38 Studios, Big Huge Games staff new work]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/industry-rallies-to-get-former-38-studios-big-huge-games-staff/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/industry-rallies-to-get-former-38-studios-big-huge-games-staff/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/industry-rallies-to-get-former-38-studios-big-huge-games-staff/#comments ImageThe sudden firing of all 379 employees at 38 Studios and Big Huge Games today was a blow to the industry, even for those of us who expected it. Soon after news broke, many developers, artists, designers, PR people, journalists and fans took to the Internet to express frustration and anger -- and to help.

On Twitter, the hashtag "#38jobs" rose to trending in the US, with people shouting out which studios were hiring and generally sending support to those let go today. A Facebook group titled "38Jobs" popped up around the same time. Freelance games journo Alex Rubens gathered all of these jobs tips into a Google Doc that currently sports 84 studios with openings, including Irrational Games, Bungie, Activision, Klei Entertainment, Rockstar and other major and indie companies.

Access the full list here; it is still in the process of being updated and refined, courtesy of Rubens and The Side Of The Gaming Industry That Proves We're Not All Trolling Douchebags.

JoystiqIndustry rallies to get former 38 Studios, Big Huge Games staff new work originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 May 2012 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosBig-Huge-Gamesjobskingdoms-of-amalur-reckoninglayoffsmicrosoftmobilenintendopcplaystationproject-copernicusps3wiixboxThu, 24 May 2012 21:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Our own Alexander Sliwinski talks 38 Studios with Fox 25 News]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/our-own-alexander-sliwinski-talks-38-studios-with-fox-25-news/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/our-own-alexander-sliwinski-talks-38-studios-with-fox-25-news/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/our-own-alexander-sliwinski-talks-38-studios-with-fox-25-news/#comments
Here at Joystiq, we spend most of our time hunched over laptops pumping out a steady stream of news for you to consume. But every now and again, one of us is ripped out from behind the comfort of our mobile workplace to talk gaming news with a mainstream outlet - today is such a day.

Following the unfortunate events at 38 Studios and Big Huge Games, News Editor Alexander Sliwinski took to Boston-area affiliate Fox 25 News to talk all things 38 and Rhode Island. We're hoping that his dashing suit and suave demeanor will help to convince you that our whole staff is made up of debonair jetsetters, even if we know in our hearts that's a stone-cold lie.

JoystiqOur own Alexander Sliwinski talks 38 Studios with Fox 25 News originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 May 2012 20:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosalexander-sliwinskibig-huge-gamesfox-25-newskingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningmetarhode-islandtelevision-apperanceThu, 24 May 2012 20:15:00 EST<![CDATA[The politics of making games: Disconnect between 38 Studios and Rhode Island in quotes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/the-politics-of-making-games-disconnect-between-38-studios-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/the-politics-of-making-games-disconnect-between-38-studios-and/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/the-politics-of-making-games-disconnect-between-38-studios-and/#comments ImageRhode Island governor Lincoln Chafee gathered his experts on finances and bond laws to discuss the dire situation of Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning publisher 38 Studios today, opening with a clear summation: "It's not a good situation; I'm not here to deliver good news."

Just an hour before the conference, news broke that all 379 staff of 38 Studios and its property Big Huge Games had been laid off. Chafee's adviser John Savage answered the first question regarding the layoffs: "In my conversations today, there were no discussions about layoffs."

Chafee agreed, saying "nothing changed today," and the tone of the conference was effectively set.

Of the layoffs that his administration wouldn't acknowledge, Chafee suggested, "Well, they could be rehired. Some investor might come in."

In a related optimistic response, Chafee said he believes 38 Studios will be able to hit its payment benchmarks, banking on the "emotional attachment" of gamers to the Amalur universe. "I would suspect that they are going to be on time and at the proper amount," he said. "All that investment, all that adherement to benchmarks. I think is going to be accurate in the end."

At the moment, Chafee said he couldn't assign blame in the situation to anyone specifically, but he did say "that's gonna come over time if we're not successful in getting this company financially solvent."

To keep 38 Studios solvent will be "very, very expensive," Chafee said, taking "tens of millions of dollars" in marketing alone. These projections come from "industry experts," who also told Chafee that he was doing the right thing the entire time. "Every indication I got from all this process is that everything is going according to the business plan," Chafee said.

"I asked the experts: What could have we done better? And they were telling me, 'You did everything right. You put your money in, you supported the game, and you're better off not meddling.' If I had meddled there wouldn't be all this violence in these games, all the sexism."

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning sold 1.2 million units in its first 90 days, but for 38 Studios to break even it would have had to sell 3 million, Chafee said. Even though 38 Studios founder Curt Schilling said the game "outperformed EA's projections," Chafee was forced to disagree.

"The game failed," he said.

JoystiqThe politics of making games: Disconnect between 38 Studios and Rhode Island in quotes originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 May 2012 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioskingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningThu, 24 May 2012 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning had to sell 3M 'just to break even,' RI governor says]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/kingdoms-of-amalur-reckoning-had-to-sell-3m-just-to-break-even/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/kingdoms-of-amalur-reckoning-had-to-sell-3m-just-to-break-even/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/kingdoms-of-amalur-reckoning-had-to-sell-3m-just-to-break-even/#comments Despite Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning selling "1.22 million copies in its first 90 days" according to 38 Studios head Curt Schilling, it apparently never crested the 3 million mark it needed to break even. "The game failed, the game failed," Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee told attendees of a press conference this afternoon.

According to "experts" speaking with Chafee's office, Reckoning needed to sell over 3 million copies "just to break even," never mind profit. The action RPG was released this past February to critical praise and modest initial financial success. It was credited with saving Big Huge Games from destruction back in 2009 when 38 Studios picked up the Baltimore studio, primarily for repurposing an already-in-production RPG into what we now know was Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning.

Both 38 Studios and Big Huge Games laid off their staffs this afternoon amidst major financial trouble at 38.

JoystiqKingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning had to sell 3M 'just to break even,' RI governor says originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 May 2012 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosbig-huge-gameskingdoms-of-amalur-reckoninglincoln-chafeemicrosoftpcplaystationps3rhode-islandsalesxboxThu, 24 May 2012 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[38 Studios and Big Huge Games lay off entire staffs [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/38-studios-and-big-huge-games-lay-off-entire-staffs/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/38-studios-and-big-huge-games-lay-off-entire-staffs/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/24/38-studios-and-big-huge-games-lay-off-entire-staffs/#comments 38 Studios and Big Huge Games have both let go of their entire staffs, a source with knowledge of the situation tells Joystiq. Following reports that 38 Studios stopped paying staff on May 1, and just an hour before a scheduled press conference in Rhode Island addressing the recent 38 Studios financial debacle, both the Providence, RI-based 38 Studios and the Baltimore, MD-based Big Huge Games are no more.

"Big Huge Games was home for my wife and me for our adult lives so far. I'll miss it terribly, but so proud. Good night and good luck," former Big Huge Games lead world designer Colin Campbell said on his Twitter account. Big Huge's latest release was the moderately successful Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. The studio was picked up by 38 Studios back in 2009, and it crafted the first entry in 38's ambitious new universe: Amalur.

The recent financial tumult arose following a defaulted payment from 38 Studios to the Rhode Island state government on May 1, indicating much larger financial issues that could ultimately lead to Rhode Island taxpayers owing up to $112.6 million between 2013 and 2020. It's unclear whether today's layoffs mean 38 Studios is unable to pay back the approximately $50 million its owes Rhode Island of a planed $75 million loan. If that's the case, Rhode Island will take over ownership of the Amalur IP, valued at around $20 million.

We expect to hear more at a scheduled press conference this evening held by Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee.

Update: WPRI got ahold of the internal memo to employees at 38 Studios, which reads: "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." Big Huge Games and 38 Studios collectively employed 379 full-timers as of March 15, according to the report.

Joystiq38 Studios and Big Huge Games lay off entire staffs [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 24 May 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosbig-huge-gamesclosurelayoffslincoln-chafeerhode-islandThu, 24 May 2012 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[38 Studios employees unpaid since May 1, health insurance ends on Thursday]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/38-studios-employees-unpaid-since-may-1/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/38-studios-employees-unpaid-since-may-1/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/38-studios-employees-unpaid-since-may-1/#comments Image38 Studios employees have not been paid since May 1 and their health care will end Thursday at midnight, a source with knowledge of the situation tells Joystiq. Employees are normally paid on the first and 15th of each month.

When asked if the studio would be shutting down this week, the source could only say, "Unknown at this time. Outlook is not good."

We're informed that 38 Studios' MMO, "Project Copernicus," announced by Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee as launching in June 2013, did have that date as its internal target. However, "Whether this is realistic or not is up for debate."

Gov. Chafee said in a press conference today that he would do what he could to prevent the studio from shutting down. Will the studio still exist within a month? "I have no idea," our source replied.

Joystiq38 Studios employees unpaid since May 1, health insurance ends on Thursday originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 May 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioscurt-shillingLincoln-Chafeepcproject-copernicusrhode-islandrhode-island-economic-development-corporationWed, 23 May 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[RI Gov. Chafee working to prevent 38 Studios shutdown, unaware of any new cash for company [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/ri-gov-chafee-working-to-prevent-38-studios-shutdown-unaware-o/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/ri-gov-chafee-working-to-prevent-38-studios-shutdown-unaware-o/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/ri-gov-chafee-working-to-prevent-38-studios-shutdown-unaware-o/#comments ImageThe situation faced by troubled MMO developer 38 Studios is not improving. According to Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee, the company has not received any new investment. In a sudden press conference late today, he said the studio had not received any outside investment nor any of the new tax credits it has applied for. NBC10 reports that, when asked if 38 Studios would be closing, Chafee said he would do what he could to prevent it.

WPRI reported today that CEO Jennifer MacLean removed the title of chief executive from her LinkedIn profile and listed her departure as having occurred in March. John Blakely, senior vice president of product development, also revised his LinkedIn profile to show that he left the company this month. Joystiq has also been informed of continuing layoffs at the company, and that health insurance has run out.

The value of 38 Studios' Amalur intellectual property is estimated to be in the range of $20 million, according to Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter. 38 Studios put up the IP as collateral against its $75 million loan, which could end up costing RI taxpayers $112 million if 38 Studios shutters.

Update: 38 Studios employees have not been paid since May 1. WPRI reports 38 Studios may be ineligible for the millions of dollars in state tax credits because it isn't incorporated in Rhode Island.

JoystiqRI Gov. Chafee working to prevent 38 Studios shutdown, unaware of any new cash for company [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioscurt-schillingjennifer-macleanpcproject-copernicusrhode-islandrhode-island-economic-development-corporationWed, 23 May 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Analyst estimates Amalur IP worth $20 million, 38 Studios employees head to job fair]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/analyst-estimates-amalur-ip-worth-20-million-38-studios-employ/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/analyst-estimates-amalur-ip-worth-20-million-38-studios-employ/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/23/analyst-estimates-amalur-ip-worth-20-million-38-studios-employ/#comments ImageThe value of 38 Studios' Amalur intellectual property is estimated to be in the range of $20 million. We asked Wedbush Securities analyst Michael Pachter for his valuation following confirmation of layoffs at the studio and coverage of 38 Studios employees flocking to Turbine's recruitment drive in Providence last night.

"Nobody is buying MMOs after Star Wars fizzled. I think value is low, probably $20 million or so," Pachter said. "There is just no demand for game assets right now, as THQ proved when it tried to sell the Warhammer MMO. I think [Electronic Arts] could step in, since they are the publisher, so you might see some alternative way to get 38 some bridge financing."

Electronic Arts had been the publisher on the Big Huge Games developed Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, but has yet to confirm it would publish 38 Studios' "Project Copernicus."

"Nope - never been an announcement on that," Jeff Brown of EA corporate communications told Joystiq. "We don't have any new announcements to make regarding 38 Studios. We enjoyed working with Curt and his team on their first game, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. Like game fans all over the world, we look forward to what 38 Studios creates next."

With reports out of Providence delivering an uncertain near future for the studio, it wouldn't be surprising if publishers tried to pick up the Amalur IP for pennies on the dollar. However, with documents showing that 38 Studios put up the IP as collateral against the $75 million loan, anybody trying to pick up the IP will be negotiating with the state of Rhode Island for control of Amalur.

JoystiqAnalyst estimates Amalur IP worth $20 million, 38 Studios employees head to job fair originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 23 May 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studiosamalurcurt-schillingmicrosoftpcplaystationproject-copernicusps3rhode-islandrhode-island-economic-development-corporationxboxWed, 23 May 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[RI governor confirms 38 Studios layoffs]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/ri-governor-confirms-38-studios-layoffs/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/ri-governor-confirms-38-studios-layoffs/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/21/ri-governor-confirms-38-studios-layoffs/#comments
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Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee has confirmed layoffs at 38 Studios. The governor made the statement this evening following a scheduled meeting of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC), where about as little happened to resolve 38 Studios' troubled situation as at last Wednesday's "emergency meeting."

On Friday Gov. Chafee held a surprise press conference about 38 Studios, in which he said the government was done providing easy money for the developer, and gave "Project Copernicus" a launch window of June 2013.

WPRI reporter Ted Nesi told Joystiq that Gov. Chafee confirmed the layoffs, but was ambiguous about whether employees at the studio were being paid.

38 Studios continues to remain silent and has not made any official statement about anything since this whole mess started early last week. According to the AP, 38 Studios founder Curt Schilling brushed past reporters on his way out of the meeting this evening, saying there was "misinformation" he couldn't clear up in a sound bite.

Not at all coincidental, Warner Bros. owned Boston-area MMO developer Turbine will hold a recruitment event at the Hotel Providence Tuesday night from 5-9PM. The studio currently has over 50 open positions.

We continue to leave the line open if 38 Studios or any employees wish to share their side of what's going on at the developer.

Update: Avalanche Studios, which opened up a studio in New York last year, will also hold a recruitment drive at the Westin Providence Hotel on Thursday, May 24, from 12-7PM.

JoystiqRI governor confirms 38 Studios layoffs originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 21 May 2012 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioscurt-schillingLincoln-Chafeepcproject-copernicusrhode-islandMon, 21 May 2012 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[First video of 38 Studios' 'Project Copernicus' MMO flies over Amalur]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/first-video-of-38-studios-project-copernicus-mmo-flies-over-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/first-video-of-38-studios-project-copernicus-mmo-flies-over-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/first-video-of-38-studios-project-copernicus-mmo-flies-over-a/#comments

38 Studios released a "Project Copernicus" sizzle reel this afternoon, featuring locales in Amalur's MMO game world. The timing of this video is certainly interesting, since it comes on the same day that 38 Studios handed over an overdue check to the state of Rhode Island and its governor, Lincoln Chafee, announced "Project Copernicus" would launch in June 2013.

JoystiqFirst video of 38 Studios' 'Project Copernicus' MMO flies over Amalur originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 May 2012 17:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioskingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningpcproject-copernicusFri, 18 May 2012 17:11:00 EST<![CDATA[Rhode Island governor gives 38 Studios' Copernicus MMO a June 2013 launch]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/rhode-island-governor-gives-38-studios-copernicus-mmo-a-june-20/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/rhode-island-governor-gives-38-studios-copernicus-mmo-a-june-20/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/rhode-island-governor-gives-38-studios-copernicus-mmo-a-june-20/#comments Rhode Island governor Lincoln Chafee told attendees of a 38 Studios-related press conference that the long awaited 38 Studios MMO - only known currently as "Project Copernicus" - is set to launch in June of 2013. Chafee said, "What I understand is Copernicus is June of '13."

Considering we've literally never heard any information on the Amalur-based MMO (aside from the fact that it's an Amalur-based MMO), it's a bit hard for us to believe that the game will arrive by next year. "I said from the beginning that it was a risky enterprise," Chafee told press of the troubled business deal between 38 and Rhode Island.

38 Studios is supposed to start paying back its $75 million loan - facilitated by the state of Rhode Island and supported by bond investors - by the beginning of 2013. It's unclear how 38 will afford those payments, but Chafee repeatedly pointed out 38's intention to seek private capital (read: more money from private investors - and not from the state). Said private capital has yet to be secured, Chafee said.

JoystiqRhode Island governor gives 38 Studios' Copernicus MMO a June 2013 launch originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 May 2012 13:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioslegallincoln-chafeepcrhode-islandFri, 18 May 2012 13:49:00 EST<![CDATA[38 Studios successfully pays $1.125 million to Rhode Island]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/38-studios-successfully-pays-1-125-million-to-rhode-island/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/38-studios-successfully-pays-1-125-million-to-rhode-island/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/18/38-studios-successfully-pays-1-125-million-to-rhode-island/#comments 38 Studios's $1.125 million check to the state of Rhode Island has cleared, governor Lincoln Chafee announced during a press conference this afternoon, thus fulfilling the first required payment on the studio's loan from the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation.

Rhode Island is changing its legislation on tax breaks, closing loopholes pertaining to state funds being used for motion-picture endeavors, Chafee said. The state's interest lies in protecting the taxpayers, balanced with keeping 38 Studios solvent, since "taxpayers have had a very generous deal for 38 studios," Chafee said.

"It's time for them to go out and get private capital funding," Chafee said. "That's the deal. It's a generous deal, but stick to it."

Rhode Island officials believe that the total of the $49 million loaned to 38 has been spent. Chafee said that until late April, meetings with 38 suggested that they would make their May payment. "I want to make sure we're doing everything possible to make sure 38 doesn't fail," Chafee said. "We're in deep." Everything possible except giving them more money."There's not going to be any money from the state. They're not coming here for easy money."

According to Chafee, "Basically, the access to private capital hasn't materialized."

38 Studios' next payment is a debt service payment due November 1 of $2.6 million, and Rhode Island officials believe the studio will have the capital to cover it.

38 Studios will then owe $12.6 million in full annual debt service in 2013, and "that's on their dime," officials said.

Chafee said he recognized the risk involved in starting a new gaming studio, but the state would have benefited greatly from the studio's "huge success" had it done well.

"I said from the beginning that it was a risky enterprise," Chafee said. Regarding how 38 Studios will function if it doesn't have the funds to pay its employees, Chafee reiterated, "Again, these are the ramifications of being in a risky business."

Chafee doesn't plan on taking a gamble of this nature again: "Never, never ever. Not under my watch," he said.

Joystiq38 Studios successfully pays $1.125 million to Rhode Island originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 May 2012 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioscurt-schillingkingdoms-of-amalur-reckoninglincoln-chafeemicrosoftpcplaystationps3rhode-islandxboxFri, 18 May 2012 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[38 Studios doesn't make payroll, can't pay state either [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/38-studios-doesnt-make-payroll/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/38-studios-doesnt-make-payroll/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/17/38-studios-doesnt-make-payroll/#comments Image38 Studios was unable to make payroll this week, but is in the process of making the $1.125 million payment that set off the company's crisis earlier this week. WPRI reports that a spokesperson for the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) did confirm that former Red Sox player Curt Schilling's video game company was unable to pay its employees.

A source tells Joystiq that beyond not making payroll, all temps and contractors at 38 Studios were let go this week.

At the same time, Governor Lincoln Chafee's office stated 38 Studios is in the process of making the overdue payment to the state. The head of the RIEDC, Keith Stokes, who approved the $75 million loan to 38 Studios in 2010, resigned late last night.

If 38 Studios does close, Rhode Island taxpayers will have to repay the $75 million bond (plus interest) through 2020, but they'll own the intellectual property of the developer, which would likely be sold at auction.

If the company does make the payment to the state, the next round will be owed in 2013. Of course, there won't be a 38 Studios much longer if it isn't paying employees.

Update: The hand-delivered check for the overdue $1.125 million payment has been returned by the EDC to 38 Studios after the company's chief financial officer said there were insufficient funds to cover it.

Continue reading 38 Studios doesn't make payroll, can't pay state either [update]

Joystiq38 Studios doesn't make payroll, can't pay state either [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 17 May 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioscurt-schillingkingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningmicrosoftpcplaystationps3xboxThu, 17 May 2012 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The scene following 38 Studios' 'emergency meeting' with Rhode Island officials]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/the-scene-following-38-studios-emergency-meeting-with-rhode-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/the-scene-following-38-studios-emergency-meeting-with-rhode-i/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/the-scene-following-38-studios-emergency-meeting-with-rhode-i/#comments
To get a real sense of the severity of the situation between 38 Studios and the state of Rhode Island, here's a package by the Providence Journal. The events shown immediately follow today's "emergency meeting," where officials decided they didn't know what to do about the studio.

JoystiqThe scene following 38 Studios' 'emergency meeting' with Rhode Island officials originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioscurt-schillingkingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningmicrosoftpcplaystationProvidence-Journalps3rhode-islandxboxWed, 16 May 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rhode Island owns Amalur, all other 38 Studios intellectual property if studio defaults]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/rhode-island-owns-38-studios-intellectual-property/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/rhode-island-owns-38-studios-intellectual-property/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/rhode-island-owns-38-studios-intellectual-property/#comments If 38 Studios does shutter, beyond Rhode Island taxpayers having to pay off the $75 million bond (plus interest) through 2020, it appears the state will also own the intellectual property of the developer as a parting gift. Reviewing updated documentation released by the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) today, it appears 38 Studios put up all present and future IP by the company as collateral.

According to the documentation, 38 Studios' intellectual property rights and other collateral were pledged to the RIEDC and assigned to a trustee, which we've confirmed by pulling Uniform Commercial Code documentation. Any proceeds made from the sale of the collateral would go back to the bondholders. This covers "all rights, title and interest in any projects, including video game projects," such as Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning and "Project Copernicus" - the title currently in development at 38 Studios.

"Based on what information I've been able to review on the 38 Studios situation, it appears that the funds they received from the RIEDC were secured by collateral that amounts to all of 38 Studios assets, including all of their intellectual property," attorney and Law of the Game editor Mark Methenitis told Joystiq this afternoon. "That would include all the rights to Kingdoms of Amalur and any other games they may have in development, even if no information about those titles has ever reached the light of day."

Continue reading Rhode Island owns Amalur, all other 38 Studios intellectual property if studio defaults

JoystiqRhode Island owns Amalur, all other 38 Studios intellectual property if studio defaults originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioscurt-schillingkingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningmicrosoftpcplaystationps3Rhode-Islandrhode-island-economic-development-corporationxboxWed, 16 May 2012 16:32:00 EST<![CDATA[38 Studios, Schilling ask Rhode Island for more money; state officials freeze]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/38-studios-schilling-ask-rhode-island-for-more-money-state-off/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/38-studios-schilling-ask-rhode-island-for-more-money-state-off/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/05/16/38-studios-schilling-ask-rhode-island-for-more-money-state-off/#comments ImageToday's emergency meeting by Rhode Island officials to determine what they are going to do about Curt Schilling's 38 Studios has concluded with officials freezing like deer in headlights. Nothing happened.

Rhode Island's Economic Development Corporation will take no immediate action to aid the developer, following a closed-door meeting attended by Governor Lincoln Chafee and Schilling, who asked for additional help to save the company. Schilling refused to answer press inquiries and officials wouldn't declare how much money the studio is seeking.

"How do we avoid throwing good money after bad?" Chafee is quoted by the Associated Press as saying after the three-hour emergency meeting finished.

"The company still has the option to cure the existing default by paying the $1,125,000 guaranty fee that is past due," reads an official statement by the EDC board. "In the meantime, we will continue to talk with 38 Studios and develop additional information, and will resume the Board meeting at our regularly scheduled meeting on May 21. The members of the Board may not discuss the confidential information received and discussed today."

If the studio doesn't receive assistance, it appears Rhode Island taxpayers may very well be on the hook for the $75 million 38 Studios loan that, after interest, would require paying back $112.6 million through 2020.

Continue reading 38 Studios, Schilling ask Rhode Island for more money; state officials freeze

Joystiq38 Studios, Schilling ask Rhode Island for more money; state officials freeze originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 May 2012 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>38-studioscurt-schillingkingdoms-of-amalur-reckoningmicrosoftpcplaystationps3Rhode-islandxboxWed, 16 May 2012 14:03:00 EST