38 Studios, a self-proclaimed entertainment and intellectual property (IP) creation company, founded by former professional baseball player Curt Schilling, has announced its recent acquisition of Big Huge Games (Rise of Nations) from publisher THQ, receiving all of the company’s IP, assets, technology and current in-development projects in the process.

THQ had already threatened to close or sell Big Huge Games less than a year after buying the company, after which a round of staff layoffs were experienced at the RTS developer while continuing to pursue a sale.

Enter 38 Studios (looking to acquire technology to help power the studios’ in-development online fantasy IP, Copernicus) who saw Big Huge Games as a natural fit for their team and decided to buy the company.

The staff still with Big Huge Games will remain in their home of Timonium, Maryland, but will be absorbed into 38 Studios.

38 Studios president and CEO, Brett Close, said of the announcement: “The acquisition of Big Huge Games will be tremendously beneficial to the growth, market position, financial stability, and long-term success of 38 Studios.

“The acquisition enables us to develop and deliver top-quality games in multiple genres that are based in a shared world, ultimately maximizing the value of our Copernicus MMOG and the intellectual property as a whole.”

38 Studios Founder and Chairman, Curt Schilling said: “It’s always about team. The highly regarded developers at BHG, including leading role-playing and real-time strategy design teams led by Ken Rolston, are a perfect complement to 38 Studios’ staggering array of talent. Big Huge Games is a phenomenal team and, culturally, a natural fit.”