Yet another Developer leaves the Microsoft Big Green Bus

by XboxOZ360:

© 2008 Grant Smythe

   MS’s Xbox-Div has already lost several main developers from its portfolio, with Bizarre Creations taking an “Independent” stance and leaving MS’s umbrella, Bungie Studios have done the same as have Bioware/Pandemic Studios . . . now add Big Huge Games to that list.

Below you will find THQ’s Press Release on the acquisition of Big Huge Games, which should be completed very soon.

And before we go any further, please don’t go down the path of “OhMygod, OMG we won’t have any more games coming from them on the 360 blah blah blah . . . . . .” They have simply changed houses, not platforms.

Thanks again to Dean Takahashi for pointing this out in one of his recent blog additions . . . Dean usually has his finger right on the pulse of just about everything MS, as well as gaming and tech in general, but it seems THQ were rather slow in giving him details, in fact, it seems they didn’t even bother sending him anything . .

What does this all mean for MS Games Studios . . .?

One would wonder what MS are thinking as they allow not 1, 2 but 4 “Major Studios” to leave after spending so much time effort and money on acquiring them in the first place.

Ed Fries spent a great deal of time getting as many major developers on board when the 1st-gen Xbox was being touted, and stayed on to help get even more on when the Xbox360 was just a babe in nappies prior to its release, when he departed in 2004. Almost all, if not all, previous 1st-gen Xbox employees and founders have left the scene and it seems that many of the developers that came with them or followed them are doing the same.

More and Press release +

One would wonder just where MS is going with all this, there’s been no news of late of any new developers coming on side with MS’s Gaming Division, yet 4 have left the fold for “greener” pastures.

From what THQ state in their press release, a similar stance is being taken by them to ensure that Big Huge Games can continue on making the games they have done, and in the manner they have done in the past.

Which is a good thing, as EA and other major Publishing houses that have taken up th 4 departed Developers from MS’s umbrella, have been allowed to carry on business as usual, rather than toe the line under the new publishers reigns.

Are MS Planing a move away from having a huge array of development houses, and thus concentrating on just a few, or are there other plans afoot. But be assured, these matters are not taken lightly, and considerable thought would have gone into the choices by the 4 developers that have currently chosen to leave the mother-ship.

If anything, it could mean even greater games ahead for gamers . . . Anyhow, here’s the Press Release.

© 2008 Grant Smythe

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THQ TO ACQUIRE LEADING DEVELOPER BIG HUGE GAMES

- Studio to Drive THQ’s Efforts in Multi-Billion Dollar Role-Playing-Game Category -

AGOURA HILLS, Calif., January 15, 2008 — THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced plans to acquire Big Huge Games, a leading development studio focused on the Role-Playing-Game (RPG) genre, a multi-billion dollar market segment.

Big Huge Games was founded in 2000 by four veteran game developers, Brian Reynolds, Jason Coleman, Dave Inscore and Tim Train, who together have brought strategy gamers such classic hits as Rise of Nations®, Alpha Centauri®, and Civilization II®. Key studio members also include Ken Rolston, a 25-year RPG design veteran whose most recent design accolades include Elder Scrolls IV: OblivionTM and Elder Scrolls III; MorrowindTM.

“The acquisition of Big Huge Games is a big win for THQ as we continue to expand both our internal development capabilities and our portfolio of owned intellectual properties,” said Jack Sorensen, executive vice president of worldwide studios, THQ. “The talent at Big Huge Games has an outstanding history of developing top-selling quality games and we look forward to their creation of many exciting new owned franchises for THQ.”

“We are extremely excited to become a part of THQ,” said Tim Train, president and COO of Big Huge Games. “We believe their passion for games, developer support, and understanding of the creative process is without parallel in the industry. THQ provides an ideal environment to help us develop new, innovative games for both core gamers and mass market.”

The studio is currently in development on a previously announced new RPG title for THQ for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC, as well as additional console projects based on their proprietary technology.

The acquisition is expected to close shortly, subject to certain conditions. Under the terms of the agreement, Big Huge Games will become a wholly owned subsidiary of THQ and the studio’s management and employees will continue with the company. The 100 person studio is located in Timonium, Maryland. Financial terms were not disclosed.

About Big Huge Games
Founded in 2000 by four veteran game developers who together have brought strategy gamers such classic hits as Rise of Nations®, Alpha Centauri®, and Civilization II®, Big Huge Games is a video game studio focused on cutting-edge technology and aimed at mass-market game development. Big Huge Games founders Brian Reynolds, Jason Coleman, David Inscore and Tim Train continue in the tradition of creating inspired and innovative games for PC and next-generation consoles. Creating games that have received numerous “Game of the Year” awards and accolades, Big Huge Games is headquartered in Timonium, Maryland. For more information about Big Huge Games, please visit www.bighugegames.com.

Filed under: 3rd Party Games, Console gaming, Microsoft Games, New Game Information, Press Release, Xbox 360 3rd Party Games Tagged: | "Big Huge Games leaves Microsoft", Big Huge Games, Bioware, Bizarre creations, EA games, MGS, Microsoft Games Studios, Pandemic, Xbox 360 News1