Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning Message Board older than one year ago

#rumor Reports be circulating that Kingdoms a Amalur creators 38 Studios has shut down Big vast Games, the developers who helped build the hit action RPG that came out earlier this year. If this be true, the shuttering a an entire studio would be the biggest bit a fallout yet from the 38 Studios/Rode Island financial imbroglio. More »

Generally, the weekend be life’s pause button. But occasionally, things happen. Strange things. Vile things. Things involving incessant backstabbery 'n good people falling on impossibly hard times. Oh, wait, I’m just describing yesterday’s Game a Thrones (wasn’t it great?). No, no, the real world weekend actually yielded a bloom-lit bounty a good news. In short, Kingdoms a Amalur developer 38 Studios ('n subsidiary Big vast Games) managed t' at least temporarily ward off the Grim Reaper using that $1.125 million it wasn’t able t' previously muster. Even so, this be just the beginning, 'n – somewhat terrifyingly – 38 still plans t' plug the gaping wound in it be bank account with an MMO. I’ve heard those things aren’t exactly cheap.

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38 Studios has released a "Project Copernicus" sizzle reel a landscapes this afternoon for the game that Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee announced this afternoon would launch in June 2013.

38 Studios's $1.125 million check t' the state a Rhode Island has cleared, governor Lincoln Chafee announced during a press conference this afternoon, thus fulfilling the first required payment on the studio's loan from the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation.

Rhode Island be changing it be legislation on tax breaks, closing loopholes pertaining t' state funds being used for motion-picture endeavors, Chafee said. The state's interest lies in protecting the taxpayers, since "taxpayers have had a very generous deal for 38 studios," Chafee said.

"it be time for them t' go out 'n pillage private capital funding," Chafee said. "that be the deal. it be a generous deal, but stick t' it."

Rhode Island officials believe that the total a the $49 million loaned t' 38 has been spent. Chafee said that until late April, meetings with 38 suggested that they would make their May payment.

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When we last glanced in Kingdoms a Amalur: Reckoning developer 38 Studios’ direction, trouble be afoot – but it be tiptoeing, perhaps while disguised as some form a shrubbery. Now, though, things have taken a whiplash-inducing turn for the worst. In short, Joystiq reports that former baseball star Curt Schilling’s unlikely venture has borrowed a total a $75 million from the state a Rhode Island – with a $1.125 million payment due on May 1. 38 – possibly now named after the amount a money in it be bank account – couldn’t pay. Today, however, the company gave it a go anyway. Unsurprisingly, that didn’t end well.

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38 Studios be unable t' make payroll this week, but be in the process a making the $1.125 million payment that set off the company's crisis earlier this week. WPRI reports that a spokesperson for the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) did confirm that former Red Sox player Curt Schilling's video game company be unable t' pay it be employees.

A source tells Joystiq that beyond not making payroll, all temps 'n contractors at 38 Studios be let go this week.

At the same time, Governor Lincoln Chafee's office stated 38 Studios be in the process a making the overdue payment t' the state. The head a the RIEDC, Keith Stokes, who approved the $75 million loan t' 38 Studios in 2010, resigned late last night.

If 38 Studios does close, Rhode Island taxpayers will have t' repay the $75 million bond (plus interest) through 2020, but they'll own the intellectual property a the developer, which would likely be sold at auction.

If the company does make the payment t' the state, the next round will be owed in 2013. a course, there won't be a 38 Studios much longer if it isn't paying employees.

Update: The hand-delivered check for the overdue $1.125 million payment has been returned by the EDC t' 38 Studios after the company's chief financial officer said there be insufficient funds t' cover it.

38 Studios be unable t' make payroll this week, but be in the process a making the $1.125 million payment that set off the company's crisis earlier this week. WPRI reports that a spokesperson for the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation did confirm that former Red Sox player Curt Schilling's video game company be unable t' pay it be employees.

A source tells Joystiq that beyond not making payroll, all temps 'n contractors be fired this week.

At the same time, Governor Lincoln Chafee's office did state that 38 Studios be in the process a making the overdue payment t' the state.

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t' pillage a real sense a the severity a the situation between 38 Studios 'n the state a Rhode Island, here's a package by the Providence Journal. The events shown immediately follow today's "emergency meeting," where officials decided they didn't know what t' do about the studio.

If 38 Studios does shutter, beyond Rhode Island taxpayers having t' pay off the $75 million bond (plus interest) through 2020, it appears the state will also own the intellectual property a the developer as a parting gift. Reviewing updated documentation released by the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) today, it appears 38 Studios put up all present 'n future IP by the company as collateral.

According t' the documentation, 38 Studios' intellectual property rights 'n other collateral be pledged t' the RIEDC 'n assigned t' a trustee, which we've confirmed by pulling Uniform Commercial Code documentation. Any proceeds made from the sale a the collateral would go back t' the bondholders. This covers "all rights, title 'n interest in any projects, including video game projects," such as Kingdoms a Amalur: Reckoning 'n "Project Copernicus" - the title currently in development at 38 Studios.

"Based on what information I've been able t' review on the 38 Studios situation, it appears that the funds they received from the RIEDC be secured by collateral that amounts t' all a 38 Studios assets, including all a their intellectual property," attorney 'n Law a the Game editor Mark Methenitis told Joystiq this afternoon. "That would include all the rights t' Kingdoms a Amalur 'n any other games they may have in development, even if no information about those titles has ever reached the light a day."

Today's emergency meeting by Rhode Island officials t' determine what they be going t' do about Curt Schilling's 38 Studios has concluded with officials freezing like deer in headlights. Nothing happened.

Rhode Island's Economic Development Corporation will take no immediate action t' aid the developer, following a closed-door meeting attended by Governor Lincon Chafee 'n Schilling, who asked for additional help t' save the company. Schilling refused t' answer press inquiries 'n officials wouldn't declare how much money the studio be seeking.

"How do we avoid throwing good money after bad?" Chafee be quoted as saying after the three-hour emergency meeting finished.

If the studio doesn't receive assistance, it appears Rhode Island taxpayers may very be on the hook for the $75 million 38 Studios loan that, after interest, would require paying back $112.6 million through 2020.

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With Rhode Island politicians 'n 38 Studios silent on the precarious financial condition a the developer, the potential cost a the doomsday scenario t' taxpayers has come t' light. WPRI reports that if 38 Studios can't pay the bonds it received from the state, taxpayers will actually be responsible for paying back $112.6 million through 2020.

The math works a little something this this: The Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation borrowed $75 million from private investors for 38 Studios, at interest rates between 6 - 7.75 percent, with the expectation that 38 Studios would pay it back with the sale a games.

For the record, 38 Studios has only launched one product, Kingdoms a Amalur: Reckoning, which it only had due t' it be acquisition a developer Big vast Games. Big vast Games be already working on an RPG prior t' the sale, but altered it t' fit the Amalur world after the purchase.

If 38 Studios can't pay, the governor be required t' ask the General Assembly t' repay bondholders.

Game industry sources tell Joystiq that if 38 Studios does collapse, despite this specific deal having been widely criticized from the start, it could have wider repercussions for the industry trying t' obtain tax breaks in other states. The silence out a Providence right now be deafening.

Reckoning, indeed! A developing story out a Rhode Island has Governor Lincoln Chafee talking in uncertain terms about the financial condition a Curt Schilling's 38 Studios, which the state gave a $75 million loan t' a couple years back t' move down t' Providence.

The Providence Journal reports Gov. Chafee spent a "weekend a work on this subject" 'n wouldn't go into specifics. "we be doing everything possible, like I would for any Rhode Island company," he said this afternoon. The Journal reports he added the work be about "keeping 38 Studios solvent."

38 Studios' "Project Copernicus" MMO has been in development at the Rhode Island studio. The studio has no booth planned for E3 'n has given no indications as yet t' have a product planned for this year.

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Kingdoms a Amalur: Reckoning didn't exactly set the world on fire, but it wasn't bad, either.

38 Studios may be in financial trouble, according t' a report out a NBC 10 in Rhode Island.

"we be always working t' keep Rhode Island companies solvent, 'n that be what we be doing with 38 Studios," said Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee t' the local NBC affiliate.

The state made a $75 million loan guarantee in 2010 t' initially bring 38 Studios t' Rhode Island, a move now under scrutiny.

It’s only been a few months since 38 Studios released it be first game, Kingdoms a Amalur: Reckoning. We’ve seen nothing a the long discussed MMO set in the same universe, codenamed Copernicus.

Chafee has not yet divulged specifics, only saying it be meeting with 38 Studios on “different issues.”

The studio has not yet responded t' me request for comment.

The fateless destiny on any new intellectual property be hard, but Kingdoms a Amalur: Reckoning seems t' be doing okay with 410,000 copies sold in the US since launch a couple months back. WPRI.com reports the RPG from 38 Studios 'n Big vast Games moved another 80,000 units in March, according t' NPD data.

As NPD spokesman David Riley notes, it be "an impressive figure for just two months, no matter how ye slice it."

it be even more impressive when one takes into consideration the data only covers the US 'n doesn't tally PC sales made through digital distribution networks (as EA recently stressed). In that case, the Reckoning portion a the Amalur franchise be doing very well for a new IP.

Ready t' take a bite out a Kingdoms a Amalur: Reckoning's "Teeth a Naros" DLC? The pack be available now on Xbox 360 for 800 MSP 'n PC for $10, 'n available later today on PSN for the same price.

The expansion includes the floating city a Idylla, three new "Twists a Fate," a bunch a "Kollassae" 'n 20 side quests. Don't forget t' pick up the latest armor fashions too 'n show them off around Amalur.

Later this month, Kingdoms a Amalur: Reckoning will add a new city 'n numerous side quests through the Teeth a Naros DLC pack. Well, before ye venture t' the floating isle a Idylla 'n meet it be insanely hospitable people, who be in no way as cold as the stone a which they be partly made, learn the history a one a Amalur's oldest areas by checking out the trailer 'n gallery a screens below.

Kingdoms a Amalur: Reckoning's Teeth a Naros DLC pack be chock full a giants (dubbed the "Kollassae") in a brand new land, 20 side quests 'n new enemies 'n weapons. it be set t' launch on April 17 for $10.

EA has announced the second downloadable expansion for Kingdoms a Amalur: Reckoning...

There's a reason Kingdoms a Amalur: Reckoning isn't called Kingdom a Amalur: Just the One, Thanks. Well, there be probably a few reasons it be not called that, but one that sticks out t' us be the likelihood that Reckoning will have multiple DLC packs, if a group a new achievements listed by Xbox 360 Achievements be t' be trusted.

The listing be labeled "DLC [Untitled DLC2]" 'n includes six achievements, five a which be secret. The known achievement be titled "Murder Most Fowl" 'n gives up 25 points for killing 50 Pteryx. The rest be super secret, but we imagine titles such as "Flipping the birds a prey" 'n "Cock-a-doodle-do yer worst."

Now that Kingdoms a Amalur: Reckoning be out 'n available, 38 Studios may be in a position t' return t' it be storied "Project Copernicus." A few recent hires at Curt Schilling's studio make it seem that way. 38 has picked up both John Blakely, who worked on DCUO 'n Everquest 2, 'n Mark Hanson, who be involved with the now-extinct Lego Universe Online. Blakely will serve as 38's senior VP a development, while Hanson will be senior VP a operations 'n business.

a course, both a those positions be fairly high up on the management chain, so they don't necessarily mean that 38 be right in the midst a Copernicus' main development just yet. But given that Kingdoms be out with solid sales numbers t' back it up, it wouldn't be too surprising t' see 38 Studios itching t' pillage rolling on it be MMO title set in the land we now know as Amalur.

This be a column by Kimberley Wallace where each week she visits an in-game world, acting as a travel agent. Read as she explores the nooks 'n crannies a each (probably war torn) landscape.
t' say that Dalentarth be alive be an understatement; lush hues a green explode across the land, waterfalls magnify the deepest a blue water, intoxicating flowers jump out at ye, 'n sky-scraping trees remind ye how minuscule ye be. Wolves 'n bears have taken t' this world, along with a few new creatures ye've never truly set eyes on, such as Kobolds, rat-like humanoids who mysteriously don't seem t' gather candles.

Many visitors often have troll sightings, but just be sure t' refrain from feeding them, seeing as ye would be the snack! Now, we do have another warning for those who be arachnophobic: the Dalentarth region has a bit a a spider problem. With giant poisonous spiders, though, this be the perfect place t' conquer yer fears. It doesn't pillage any better a a deal than that, so please send yer thank ye letters t' our agency. We love helping ye overcome adversity!

Can we interest ye in visiting a place that ye thought only existed in yer childhood fantasies? Take a moment 'n think back t' when ye be young, 'n in the blink a an eye, yer imagination could turn anything into a mystical, magical place. that be the Dalentarth region a Kingdoms a Amalur: Reckoning - a fantastical forest in bloom with the most vivacious, neon colors around every corner. it be a portal back t' the wide-eyed innocence that let ye see beauty where others saw only darkness. Let that inner child come back 'n dive into a world a non-AVAST! wonderment, vibrant with life.

The Legend a Dead Kel, the first big DLC for swords 'n conversation RPG Kingdoms a Amalur be arriving tomorrow, letting ye loose on the treacherous island a Gallow’s End in search a haunted pirate booty. It’s a chunk a story-driven content with a focus on player housing, featuring “the most expansive player housing option yet,” 'n if there’s one thing I need in me life, it’s a holiday home with options in a location that sounds like where Satan goes for the weekend.

Honestly though, the new trailer below begins with “At the edge a the frostbreak sea lies a sprawling isle a mist 'n stone” 'n crikey! It might be the dragon-obsessed teenager grabbing at me brain stem 'n taking control but stuff like that just does it for me. Flowery descriptions a windswept fantasy lands full a decay 'n adventure, that’s what it’s all about.

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Kingdoms a Amalur: Reckoning's new DLC expansion be coming out next week -- March 20 in North America on Xbox, 'n the next day worldwide on Xbox, PC, 'n PS3. Called "The Legend a Dead Kel," the DLC stars an enraged Kenan Thompson who must pillage revenge on -- all right, we be making that up.

What be true be that players will pillage access t' a "gigantic new landmass" called Gallows End, with new weapons, new enemies, 'n a new "personal estate" t' own -- complete with master-at-arms, a scout, a librarian, 'n other staff. Explore the new surroundings in this trailer.

It be a little surprising t' see Kingdoms a Amalur: Reckoning sitting pretty at number four in the NPD software sales charts for February, an impressive feat for a brand new IP. But what does the number translate t' in actual sales? NPD tells Joystiq that Reckoning sold a total a 330,000 copies in the US across Xbox, PS3 'n PC last month.

it be not a bad number, especially for a new IP, though it isn't quite a blockbuster either. a course, the figure doesn't include sales in other regions (or even all a North America, for that matter), so we'll have t' wait on word from EA t' see how Reckoning fared overall.

It wasn't that long ago that Big vast Games be on the edge a oblivion. THQ put the studio up for sale in 2009, placing it be projects 'n the studio itself in jeopardy. As fate would have it, Curt Schilling's 38 Studios swept in t' acquire the ailing developer. it be major project, once on the chopping block, eventually became Kingdoms a Amalur: Reckoning, which released earlier this month t' largely favorable reviews.

So, how does a studio go from the brink a closure t' critical success? How does Big vast Games prevent another potential disaster, 'n where does it go from here? Big vast Games general manager Sean Dunn told us.

For all it be dense fiction, mountains a loot, 'n vast exploration, the most exciting thing about Kingdoms a Amalur: Reckoning be the promise a power. Consistent, rapid growth be an encouraging reason t' return t' Amalur, whether ye're one hour deep or 100. This be what makes 38 Studios 'n Big H...

For all it be dense fiction, mountains a loot, 'n vast exploration, the most exciting thing about Kingdoms a Amalur: Reckoning be the promise a power. Consistent, rapid growth be an encouraging reason t' return t' Amalur, whether ye're one hour deep or 100. This be what makes 38 Studios 'n Big H...

#gamedifficulty If ye've played games for more than a decade, ye've undoubtedly witnessed the ongoing evolution a the medium. Some see technology as the primary driver, 'n there's no question games look 'n sound better than ever. The rising tide a tech has lifted all boats, making it possible for even a small team a developers t' produce polished, sophisticated games indistinguishable from work produced by the big studios. More »

Former baseball player turned 38 Studios founder Curt Schilling made a visit t' Conan O'Brien's late night talk show this week. After discussing his beautiful with Tom Arnold 'n telling a story about some US soldiers playing Call a Duty while at war, he showed off a special "Irish American" version a Kingdoms a Amalur: Reckoning, featuring a virtual Schilling squaring off against "Gnomon O'Brien." ye can watch the short interview 'n clip below.

it be cute, even if it be not a good representation a what the game be actually like. Then again, it be a late night talk show, so eliciting a chuckle 'n getting the name said a few times be probably worth it.

#watchthis 38 Studios founder Curt Schilling uses tales a baseball triumphs past t' hook Late Night host Jimmy Fallon 'n then brings Kingdoms a Amalur: Reckoning in for the kill. More »