Curt Schilling is a former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher who has always been passionate about video games. In 2012, he founded 38 Studios, a video game development company based in Rhode Island. The company's first and only game, titled "Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning," was released in 2012 and received critical acclaim for its gameplay and graphics.
The Creation of 38 Studios
After retiring from MLB in 2008, Schilling became interested in video game development. He partnered with Todd McFarlane, a comic book artist, and R.A. Salvatore, a fantasy author, to create a new video game company. They named the company 38 Studios, after Schilling's jersey number.
The company's headquarters were based in Rhode Island, and they received a $75 million loan from the state's Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to help fund their operations. The loan was controversial at the time, as many people were skeptical about the state's ability to fund a video game company.
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning was released in February 2012 for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. The game was an action role-playing game set in a fantasy world created by R.A. Salvatore. The game received critical acclaim for its deep combat system, engaging storyline, and beautiful graphics.
Despite the positive reviews, the game did not sell as well as expected. 38 Studios had planned to use the profits from the game to fund future projects, but the lack of sales put the company in financial trouble.
Bankruptcy and Fallout
In May 2012, 38 Studios filed for bankruptcy, owing millions of dollars to creditors and employees. The state of Rhode Island was also left on the hook for the $75 million loan they had given to the company.
The fallout from the bankruptcy was far-reaching. Schilling was sued by the state of Rhode Island, which claimed that he had misled them about the company's financial situation. The lawsuit was eventually settled for $16 million.
The employees of 38 Studios were also affected by the bankruptcy. Many of them were not paid for weeks of work and were left without jobs. Some of them even had to sell their homes to make ends meet.
Curt Schilling's Legacy
Curt Schilling's legacy in baseball is secure. He won three World Series championships and was a six-time All-Star. However, his legacy in the video game industry is more complicated.
While Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning was a critical success, it was not enough to save 38 Studios. The company's bankruptcy left many people out of work and cost the state of Rhode Island millions of dollars.
Despite the controversy surrounding 38 Studios, Schilling has continued to be involved in the video game industry. He has worked as a commentator for ESPN's coverage of the Little League World Series and has invested in other video game companies.
Conclusion
The story of Curt Schilling's video game company, 38 Studios, is a cautionary tale about the risks of starting a new business. While Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning was a critical success, it was not enough to save the company from bankruptcy. The fallout from the bankruptcy left many people out of work and cost the state of Rhode Island millions of dollars.
Despite the controversy surrounding 38 Studios, Schilling's passion for video games has not waned. He continues to be involved in the industry and has invested in other companies. It remains to be seen whether he will be able to find success in the video game industry once again.