Sad to see it all end up this way I wish Rich and all the rest at 38 studios and big huge games all the best.
38 Studios
Company »
38 Studios was a Rhode Island-based developer/publisher, founded by Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling.
Report: 38 Studios Lays Off Entire Staff [UPDATED]
Huge shame to see that many people lose their jobs because people above them were incompetent. The worst part is, I think we all saw this coming loooooooooong before the financial woes came to light. Seriously, who among us didn't harbour some concerns about an unproven developer producing a hugely expensive entry in the riskiest, trickiest genre? Which of us didn't scowl with minor concern when they went like three damn years without showing...Pretty much anything? Who among us didn't look at the glut of MMOs trying (and failing) despite better known, proven developers and IPs and wonder how Project Copernicus was ever going to work? I know I was worrying about these things a long time ago, and there's no way I was alone. I doubt I was even the first.
Man, talk about a fall from grace. I really hope the rumours aren't true, for the sake of all the people caught up in this.
The sad part is, whatever you think of Schilling as a person, or a businessman, he apparently is a gamer's gamer. For the grognards out there, he started a company just to save 'Advanced Squad Leader' from disappearing when Avalon Hill imploded all those years ago.
Wow. Just... wow.
JGH
I like how so many of you are quick to jump on Curt Schilling because he doesn't vote the way you want him to. Do GB a favor and leave the political fanaticism wherever your news site of choice is.
And before anyone continues to propagate the lie, the Boston Globe reported that Schilling actually invested $30 million of his own money into the company.
Sometimes it's investors, sometimes it's post-beta QA focus tests, sometimes it comes right from above >: (This one smells of too many cooks in the kitchen. I wonder how many times they had a launchable product, then tore it apart to incorporate a new 'perspective'. Sigh, I have been working the corporate world for too long.
An indie dev took their MMO from notes on paper during a talk at a cafe to a fully running playable stable beta test in two years time. Then their money ran the heck out. Kinda wish they'd had state backing because they knew how to spend money well..
I hope all independent studios see this and keep it well in mind when a big studio comes calling to buy them out. It almost never ends well for the little guy, ever. They either get screwed over when someone above them fucks up, or they slowly get dissolved into nothingness. They almost never die because they screwed up.
For example, remember Blue Tongue? The guys who made the charming-as-hell De Blob games? You know why they got shittcanned? Because Volition made a shitty Red Faction game and THQ made too many uDraw tablets. Ugh.
Best wishes to an amazingly talented group of friends who are going to land some sick 38jobs. Looking forward to what all of us do next!
There's new excuse for letters that cold and soulless when you just took away people's livelihood. Be a fucking person!
That letter is stone cold. Gross.
On a more positive note, check out the #38jobs tag on Twitter, makes you feel all warm and fuzzy people trying to look after those in need.
@hagridore said:
Sad. But man, do studios need to stop putting energy into new MMOs. Its just not worth it.
It can be worth it if done right, Free to play games are huge business now and is growing especially with MMO's with the cash shops that they use it can make the companies a crap load of cash if the game is good enough.
problem is 38 studios / big huge games spent what 6 - 7 years on this with nothing really to show, most of the top free to play games are out in 2- 3 years some making serious money, last month one of the top free-to play companies Nexon was reported to have made EA an offer to buy them out that's the type of cash that can be made if done right.
God, that letter has so much bullshit in it that it sounds like a George Carlin routine.
"The Company is experiencing an economic downturn."
Translation: We're out of money.
"To avoid further losses and possibility of retrenchment, the Company has decided that a companywide lay off is absolutely necessary."
Translation: We can't pay anyone, so we have to fire all of you.
"These layoffs are non-voluntary and non-disciplinary."
Translation: Seriously, we have to fire all of you. Also, it's us, not you.
"This is your official notice of lay off, effective today, Thursday, May 24th, 2012."
Translation: Even though you've gone a week without pay and it's our all fault, this is the first and last official notice you'll get from us. We're not actually going to address in person, because we're cowards who can't accept the consequences of our own actions. Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out.
@Bizen247 said:
I like how so many of you are quick to jump on Curt Schilling because he doesn't vote the way you want him to. Do GB a favor and leave the political fanaticism wherever your news site of choice is.
And before anyone continues to propagate the lie, the Boston Globe reported that Schilling actually invested $30 million of his own money into the company.
"Fuck Obama and the Government, it falls on us, the individuals, to find a way out of our own personal crisis! ...Oh, but thanks for that loan, Rhode Island, can I please have some more?"
It's not about politics, it's about the delicious hypocrisy.
When you make a game like this, and do not show off anything about it until the very last moment. Its hard to get people excited for it. It sucks that so many people are losing jobs, but its not shocking either. I am sure many of them, if not all of them will land back on their feet swiftly.
Well that absolutely sucks. But I guess that is what happens when you are not an established developer and you spend 6 years in development without releasing so much as a single screenshot.
Nice email "thanks for helping me pursue a shitty idea that never would have made us back the money, youre fired now fuck you"
Too bad about 38 Studios, though unsurprising given that they were making an MMO about 10 years too late with source material that wasn't that interesting. I couldn't even make it through Amalur, I have no idea what they were going to do with that story to create a full MMO.
Really too bad about Big Huge Games. Rise of Nations was my favorite of the non-Blizzard RTS by far. Here's hoping those guys can reform and go back in time to before being bought by a company with no business plan.
ETA: And if that email is indicative of the business leadership of their team, then I can see why they failed. Yeesh.
Outspoken, rich, anti-government Libertarian gets huge government loan to start game company. Pays himself back his initial investment plus profit with loan money. Defaults on loan. Sun rises in east, water wet.
Was really hopping something good to come out of this, and as Ryan said on the podcast that they would bounce back, but now all those people in Road island are on the hook for a lot of money with nothing to gain from it, no new jobs there any more.
It seems alot of people have never been fired.. it's rarely a heartwarming things, it's a, 'Well... you're fired...' kinda thing. Sucks for 38, but as some people have said, they've been working on this MMO forever and had really nothing to show for. KoA was fun but even that had bad timing by releasing near Skyrim.
@DjCmeP said:
@Liquid_Flood said:
Dear Giant Bomb,
HIRE RICH GALLUP YESTERDAY. OR TODAY.
Sincerely,
A paying member
I live in Boston. All media, including sports, are slamming Schilling. That is one sign that lets yo know things are BAD.
Horrible fucking news. No grace period, everyone laid off just like that. Good luck to those affected.
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