Colony of Gamers - Ugh. 38 Studios Situation Gets Worse

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- - Ugh. 38 Studios Situation Gets Worse (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=26635)

Well, shit. Not everyday that gaming news brings a tear to my eye.

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Big Problems Need Huge Solutions

Our heart goes out to the people affected by the unfortunate events surrounding 38 Studios and its subsidiary in Baltimore, Big Huge Games. Through it all, the team stayed together in a way that’s been really heartwarming to see. The team kept working, hoping that there’d be a way to secure last-minute funding and save the company. People brought extra food into the office to help those unable to pay their bills. And last week, in bittersweet irony, Big Huge Games was named to Game Developer’s Top 30 studios in the world list.

You may be wondering why I’m writing all this – and it’s because Epic is going to do something to help them, and we want people to understand why we think it’s the right thing to do.

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. 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.

In one of life’s coincidences, Epic’s directors had spent the morning discussing how we’d love to build even more successful projects with our growing team, but that we’d need a dramatic infusion of top talent to do so. Which, we all knew, was impossible.

So now we’re planning to start an impossible studio in Baltimore. :)

It’ll take a while to find space, set up desks and PCs, purchase sufficient Nerf weaponry and Dr. Pepper, etc. But some of these folks have been going too long without a paycheck to wait for that. So, as soon as we can, we’re going to try to get people working down here at Epic headquarters in Cary, NC as contractors.

There’s a million things to work out. How many of the team can we hire? What will it be called? What will they be working on? We don’t know all the answers yet. Please give us some time to figure it out; we hope to have more to share soon.

The way we see it, there’s been a big storm in Baltimore, and we’re taking in a few of the refugees — as are the awesome folks at Zynga East, Zenimax Online, and other southeastern studios. Epic’s in a situation where we can do this, and it very clearly fits with our company values, so we’re going to give it a whirl.

Dr. Michael Capps

President, Epic Games

Source: Epic Games

Full blown infinite blade rpg? O_o

Also, "find space"? Wouldn't they already have offices there up for grabs there.

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Originally Posted by parnell (Post 1010540)

Hi guys,
Just thought I'd let you know I'm a veteran east coast game developer with a number of close friends that worked at 38. So far I haven't found any of the claims that the mortgage payment thing is true. I do know 38 helped with mortgage assistance and some of my friends that took it are not on the hook for that mortgage.
Unless I hear otherwise I wouldn't take much truth in that claim for now.
That's all for now:)
Peace!
B

p.s. First post!!

Well, the bankruptcy papers have been filed. Unfortunately, there are employees stuck with outstanding payments from when 38 sold their homes and relocated new employees. I actually worked with one of the guys listed in the mortgage assistance thing(I didn't think to ask him though after my other friend was not stuck with anything). It's tricky to know why some people weren't screwed and some were.

Bankruptcy Filings:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http...2F&h=kAQG1o8Np

Also, today a wife posted her story dealing with the mishaps surrounding the missed payments by 38 and the struggles the family now faces. Pretty sad/depressing stuff.
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/1...speaks_out.php

Anyways, that's all I got.
B

It's really sad. That article was funny in a sense. Her husband being the smartest man in the room and all. Probably not that anonymous to folks in the know.

And the saga continues:

38 Studios founder Curt Schilling sued for $2.4 million

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Citizens Bank, from whom the ill-fated 38 Studios borrowed money, is personally suing 38 founder Curt Schilling after he alleged promised to pay back the borrowed loan.

Subpoenas sent out in 38 Studios downfall aftermath

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The situation surrounding the financial downfall of 38 Studios continued to worsen this week, as state and federal law enforcement agencies sent subpoenas to the various parties involved.

If I was him I'd go hang out with John McAfee.

Probably six feet from a desktop anyway.

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Originally Posted by Pale Ale (Post 1018536)

If I was him I'd go hang out with John McAfee.

Probably six feet from a desktop anyway.

You haven't heard McAfee's latest news

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Anti-virus software pioneer and philanthropist John McAfee was arrested in Belize last week on an unlicensed gun charge he claims was concocted.

Or the more sensational daily mail version

Not sure what to think - maybe he's in the right or maybe he's in the wrong. But its clear until this snafu happened he was happy to live in " military dictatorship" and spending his money buying off cops (I'm sorry donating to).

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Originally Posted by tacitus (Post 1018620)

You haven't heard McAfee's latest news

That was the joke. :p

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Originally Posted by tacitus (Post 1018620)

Actually the last thing I read was that he'd been released was hiding out waiting for the State department to White Knight him.