Anonymous source: Kingdoms of Amalur studio is finished

An anonymous source formerly employed at 38 Studios has reported that the studio has closed, taking Big Huge Games and Providence with it. “38 Studios just laid off its entire staff, both Providence and BHG studios are being shuttered,” said the source. “We have not received a paycheck since April 30. “On May 15, we found out we were not getting paid when our cheques did not hit our accounts. Our medical insurance runs out tonight at midnight.” “We found this out when an employee's pregnant wife was told by her doctor, this was on Tuesday May 22. “The company has not communicated anything concrete to the team throughout this process, leaving team members to figure out insurance stop-gaps (where people could afford it), etc. on their own.” If this is indeed the case, the shuttering will mean the end of in-development MMO “Project Copernicus”, and could signal the beginning of legal action by the state of Rhode Island, who will be substantially out-of-pocket after backing the studio to the tune of NZD $97.5 million. 38 Studios was founded by former pro baseball player Curt Schilling in 2006. Update: Allegedly this is the email 38 Studios sent to employees: "The Company is experiencing an economic downturn. To avoid further losses and possibility of retrenchment, the Company has decided that a companywide lay off is absolutely necessary. These layoffs are non-voluntary and non-disciplinary. This is your official notice of lay off, effective today, Thursday, May 24th, 2012."