Tag: Rhode Island

John Smedley Defends Curt Schilling


smedley

Those of you who read MMO Fallout know that I have quite a lot of respect for SOE’s John Smedley. The guy isn’t perfect and no one would doubt that there are plenty of mistakes made in Sony’s past, but the guy has a tendency to spell it out as it is and be as transparent as his corporate overlords will allow him to be. The company keeps their games going long after they are commercially viable, and even after they were no longer profitable.

Over the past few days, Smedley has taken to Twitter to defend 38 Studios and Curt Schilling, stating that Schilling’s “only crime was believing in his own ability to will things to be better,” adding that “he busted his ass to get funding.” He then goes on to state that Sony Online Entertainment was approached by 38 Studios for funding, but did not jump on board because the game was deemed too expensive and risky. He went on to say that the fact that no other company was willing to get on board should have been the first warning sign to Rhode Island not to go through with the deal. Public funds, says Smedley, should never go to back something as risky as an online game.

Rhode Island is set to vote today on encouraging out of court settlements against Schilling and those who drafted the loan.

(Source: Gamespot)

NCSoft Holding Interviews in Providence


NCSoft just posted a notice that they will be holding interviews on May 31st from 9am to 7pm at Providence Biltmore. All applicants are welcome, especially 38 Studios (and presumably Big Huge Games) ex-employees.

Turbine Getting Head Start, Recruiting In Rhode Island


Where have I seen this before? Oh yes, before Realtime Worlds went bankrupt. 38 Studios may still be alive, but that isn’t going to stop the vultures from coming in and taking dibs on who gets what cut of meat. Back in 2010, we had the combination flock of Sony, Codemasters, and Blitz to drain whatever remained of Realtime Worlds. Now that 38 Studios is facing layoffs, however, it is Turbine’s turn for first picks.

In a press release today, Turbine announced recruiting in Providence, Rhode Island is set to begin on May 22nd, from 5-9pm at Hotel Providence. You can even check out a list of currently available positions. Rhode Island Governor Chafee announced today that Project Copernicus is set for a June 2013 release date.

When reached for comment as to whether or not the two events were related, Turbine’s career center (pictured above) simply responded “Oh gorgh, nope nope nope nope, I’m not gonna do it ma, you can’t make me, nope nope nope nope.”

(Extra: Time Warner Career Page)

38 Studios Missing Payments, Wants More Taxpayer Money


Ever since 2010, I did not think a developer could rattle my nerves as much as Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment and Gary Whiting, but 38 Studios and Curt Schilling are certainly looking to prove me wrong on all accounts. For the taxpayers of Rhode Island, the investment made by their state government by offering $75 million to 38 Studios to relocate and bring 450 jobs to the state, has turned into a nightmare. At this point in time if 38 Studios goes bankrupt, taxpayers will be on the hook for $112 million over the next eight years. Two days ago I reported that Governor Chafee had met with Curt Schilling to discuss keeping the company solvent.

Now we know that 38 Studios did not make its loan payment on May 1st. The Associated Press is reporting that Curt Schilling is now asking for more money from the state, although the amount has not been disclosed to the public. Governor Chafee, who did not support the loan citing 38 Studios’ lack of a successful release record, has committed to protecting the state’s investment and securing the taxpayer money, but has not responded to the request for additional funding.

While the loan doesn’t come directly from the taxpayer coffers, the agreement set up with 38 Studios means that Rhode Island will pay the lenders in case the studio defaults. So if 38 Studios loses, everyone in Rhode Island is going to pay for it.

We’ll have to wait and see as to what happens.

(Source: Associated Press)

Subsidies and Incentives And Government, What The Hell?


State Funded MMOs?

Today’s news gets stranger and stranger. Earlier today, it was reported that TERA, upcoming MMO by Bluehole Studios, has been subsidized by the Korean Government. As part of the Global Plan, the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism has selected Bluehole to be part of their fund in an effort to expand Korea’s presence in the MMO realm (this is where you point out the hundred thousand Korean MMOs on the market). It is quite an exclusive program, and is one of nine projects selected.

Don’t worry, it gets stranger. Heading back over to the states, our news focuses on 38 Studios, which at this point in times is located in Massachusetts. As it seems, Rhode Island is very interested in having 38 Studios, with their upcoming MMO Copernicus, and they were willing to extend an olive branch. Granted, the olive branch already existed, but Rhode Island is offering 38 Studios a guaranteed $75 million loan in exchange for relocating the company. For a teeny tiny company like 38 Studios, the thought of a guaranteed $75 million must be a godsend (or a nightmare imagining paying that back).

Next time on MMO Fallout? I’m still waiting on the release of Kim Jong Ill’s MMO.