- 38 Studios
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38 Studios 
Type Private Industry Computer and video games Founded 2006 Headquarters Providence, RI U.S. Key people Curt Schilling (Founder and Chairman)
Jennifer MacLean (CEO)
R. A. Salvatore (Director of Creative Content)
Todd McFarlane (Executive Art Director)Website www.38studios.com 38 Studios, formerly Green Monster Games, is an entertainment and IP development company founded by Major League Baseball pitcher Curt Schilling and named for his jersey number.
Contents
Background and history
The company is focused on MMORPGs (which Schilling has a passion for, starting with Everquest and Everquest 2, on through Shadowbane, leading to World of Warcraft and more recently Warhammer Online). At the start of spring training in 2007, the company was renamed from Green Monster Games to 38 Studios to give a "... more accurate reflection of what our company is working to achieve."
Contrary to popular belief, Schilling has stated that the company's original name was not taken from the wall in Fenway Park. He is quoted on the Fires of Heaven Guild message boards, posting under his EQ characters name, Ngruk, saying, "The GMG name was—and I know this is going to be impossible to believe—not named after the left-field wall at Fenway. The name was made up by someone who knew next to nothing about baseball and isn't even from this country."[1]
In 2006, the company leased 30,000 sq ft (3,000 m²) of office space in downtown Maynard, Massachusetts at the historic Clock Tower.[2] CEO of the company is Jennifer MacLean, formerly of Comcast,[3] CTO is Jon Laff formerly of Electronic Arts.
On April 17, 2008, Massively.com announced that Lead Designer Travis McGeathy from Sony Online Entertainment's Everquest was hired by 38 Studios.[4]
On May 27, 2009, 38 Studios acquired Rise of Nations developer Big Huge Games from THQ.[5]
In July 2010, The Rhode Island board of Economic Development approved a $75 million guaranteed loan to 38 Studios. 38 Studios has promised to bring 450 jobs to the state by the end of 2012.[6]
On November 3, 2010, 38 Studios announced the closure of its $75 million financing package in conjunction with the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation and will relocate the Maynard, Massachusetts development studio to its new location in Providence, One Empire Plaza, early next year.[7]
On April 8, 2011, 38 Studios began relocation from the Maynard, Massachusetts location to the new studio home in Providence, Rhode Island. Over 160 employees began working in the new space on April 12th, exceeding agreed upon job creation and relocation milestones.[8]
The company is developing two products. The first is a single-player game called Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning which is scheduled for release in North America on February 7, 2012 and in Europe on February 10, 2012.[9] Reckoning was introduced to the public at the game at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con International convention. The second product is a Massive Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG) currently under development with the working title "Project Copernicus". A release date for Copernicus has not yet been announced.[10] Best-selling author, R. A. Salvatore created over ten thousand years of lore for the Amalur IP and Todd McFarlane is providing art direction for both products.
Projects
- Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning
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- North American Release Date: February 7, 2012
- European Release Date: February 10, 2012
- Project Copernicus (MMO) - TBA
References
- ^ "FOH Post". FOHguild.org. 2007-02-22. http://www.fohguild.org/forums/mmorpg-general-discussion/24711-green-monster-games-curt-schilling-53.html?highlight=Wall#post672013.
- ^ "Schilling's game company rents space in Maynard". Boston.com. 2006-10-30. http://www.boston.com/business/ticker/2006/10/schillings_game_1.html. Retrieved 2006-10-30.
- ^ "38 Studios Appoints Jennifer MacLean as CEO". 38 Studios. 2009-08-21. http://www.38studios.com/news/show/101. Retrieved 2009-09-11.
- ^ "Ex-EverQuest Lead Designer to join 38 Studios" from Massively.com
- ^ "38 Studios Acquires Big Huge Games". gamasutra.com. 2009-05-27. http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=23775. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
- ^ "Curt Schilling’s video-game company gets $75-million loan to come to R.I.". Providence Journal. 2010-07-27. http://www.projo.com/news/content/38_Studios_vote__07-27-10_JIJB71G_v18.3dd3796.html. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
- ^ "38 Studios Completes $75 Million Financing". 2010-11-03. http://38studios.com/news/38-studios-completes-75-million-financing.
- ^ "38 Studios Relocates Ahead of Schedule". 2011-04-09. http://www.golocalprov.com/business/38-studios-relocates-ahead-of-schedule/.
- ^ [http://38studios.com/press-release/ea-and-38-studios-ready-kingdoms-amalur-reckoning-strike-worldwide-february-7th/ "38 EA AND 38 STUDIOS READY KINGDOMS OF AMALUR: RECKONING TO STRIKE WORLDWIDE ON FEBRUARY 7TH"]. 2011-08-16. http://38studios.com/press-release/ea-and-38-studios-ready-kingdoms-amalur-reckoning-strike-worldwide-february-7th/.
- ^ Geddes, Ryan (2011-03-07). "GDC: Rebirth & Risk in Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning". IGN. http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/115/1153816p1.html. Retrieved 2011-03-28.
External links
Categories:- Video game companies of the United States
- Companies established in 2006
- Companies based in Massachusetts
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