New to Shacknews? Signup for a Free Account

Already have an account?

Video Game Release Dates 2024Elden Ring strategy guideShacknews Direct: Introducing Bubbletron!Destiny 2 Complete Strategy Guide
Video Game Release Dates 2024
Elden Ring strategy guide
Shacknews Direct: Introducing Bubbletron!
Destiny 2 Complete Strategy Guide

THQ Acquires Rise of Nations Dev Big Huge Games
Chris Faylor
8
Publisher THQ has announced its plans to acquire Big Huge Games, the developer behind the Xbox Live Arcade board game Catan (X360), the Rise of Nations PC RTS series, and The Asian Dynasties expansion for Ensemble's RTS Age of Empires III (PC).

The acquisition, which THQ hopes to complete soon, will cement Big Huge Games as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company. The studio will remain at its present Timonium, Maryland location, and will also retain its management and employees.

Big Huge was already working closely with THQ for its upcoming RPG, which is being designed by The Elder Scrolls series veteran Ken Rolston and will arrive on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC in 2009. It is also known to be working on a "quirky" Wii title.

"THQ provides an ideal environment to help us develop new, innovative games for both core gamers and mass market," said Big Huge president Tim Train. "We believe their passion for games, developer support, and understanding of the creative process is without parallel in the industry."

Chris Faylor was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

Filed Under
From The Chatty
Refresh Go To Thread
  • Silent Sorrow legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
    reply
    January 15, 2008 8:47 AM

    Wasn't BHG one of those developers that made a big hue and cry a few years ago about going independent? Or am I remembering that incorrectly?

    • sjpeters79 legacy 10 years
      reply
      January 15, 2008 9:01 AM

      money unfortunately changes core values in a harsh manner

      • Sturm08 legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
        reply
        January 15, 2008 9:15 AM

        Or perhaps Big Huge needed the funding to stay afloat. THQ seems to have a pretty good track record with acquiring developers and letting them make their games.

        Relic, Kaos...hell, they put up with the STALKER guys over how many years to finally publish the game.

    • code-e255 legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
      reply
      January 15, 2008 9:29 AM

      As far as I know, their games were published by Microsoft Games. I don't know how the managed to pull away from Microsoft.

      Either way, BHG is a damn good developer. They kinda had bad luck with Rise of Legends - that game was seriously kickass but wasn't popular due to the weird setting and the lack of a marketing campaign.

Hello, Meet Lola