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NWR Interactive => TalkBack => Topic started by: Flames_of_chaos on March 18, 2009, 08:34:52 PM

Title: THQ Announces More Cutbacks
Post by: Flames_of_chaos on March 18, 2009, 08:34:52 PM

Studios Big Huge Games, Heavy Iron, and Incinerator are all on the chopping block.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=17987

 As a result of a $191 million loss last quarter, THQ recently revealed that in order to cut cost they will be closing developer Big Huge Games within 60 days unless another company purchases the studio. Big Huge Games is known for their work on the Rise of Nations series and Catan for Xbox Live Arcade. The team has been working on an unannounced Wii game, and a role playing game designed by Ken Rolston,  lead designer of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.    

THQ also notified Heavy Iron and Incinerator that their studios would be "spun out as independent companies.". Both Heavy Iron and Incinerator are known for their videogame tie-ins with Pixar movies such as Cars, The Incredibles, and Wall-E.

Title: Re: THQ Announces More Cutbacks
Post by: ReverendNoahWhateley on March 18, 2009, 09:09:28 PM

Between Rise of Nations and the possibility of a Western RPG for the Wii, there's a lot to love about Big Huge.  I hope someone picks them up.

Title: Re: THQ Announces More Cutbacks
Post by: Stratos on March 18, 2009, 11:31:23 PM

Have their games not sold well? I thought Rise of Nations was a pretty good success. And Wall-E sold a good deal as well. I guess they just aren't profitable. I do hope Big Huge makes it, though.

Title: Re: THQ Announces More Cutbacks
Post by: Flames_of_chaos on March 18, 2009, 11:52:39 PM

THQ is "trimming the fat" because companies unfortunately have to cut operations when they are in the red.

Title: Re: THQ Announces More Cutbacks
Post by: KDR_11k on March 19, 2009, 02:56:18 AM

I guess BHG will find a buyer, at least if the IPs are included in the deal.

Title: Re: THQ Announces More Cutbacks
Post by: Stratos on March 19, 2009, 03:00:11 AM

Quote from: KDR_11k on March 19, 2009, 02:56:18 AM

I guess BHG will find a buyer, at least if the IPs are included in the deal.

That's a good question, who owns the rights to the 'Rise of...' series?

Title: Re: THQ Announces More Cutbacks
Post by: Flames_of_chaos on March 19, 2009, 09:09:15 AM

Quote from: Stratos on March 19, 2009, 03:00:11 AM

Quote from: KDR_11k on March 19, 2009, 02:56:18 AM

I guess BHG will find a buyer, at least if the IPs are included in the deal.

That's a good question, who owns the rights to the 'Rise of...' series?

Rise of series is probably owned by Big Huge Games or the publisher, Microsoft Game Studios.

Title: Re: THQ Announces More Cutbacks
Post by: TJ Spyke on March 19, 2009, 02:22:49 PM

Trademarks are a good sign of who owns a IP. The USPTO has Microsoft owning the "Rise of Nations" name.

Unless they own the Wii game they are developing (which is unlikely), what would a company get for buying Big Huge Games? Seems like all they would get is the studio name and whoever works there. They wouldn't get any IP's.

Title: Re: THQ Announces More Cutbacks
Post by: KDR_11k on March 19, 2009, 02:54:59 PM

They'd still get some expertise and possibly anything that was WIP when the company got sold.