by Stacy Jones on Jul 13, 2010
Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling founded 38 Studios back in 2006 and caught the attention of many gamers when he announced the development of the studios first title as the MMORPG codenamed Copernicus with the help of best-selling fantasy author R.A. Salvatore and artist Todd McFarlane. The game has managed to keep the attention of many despite its rather short reveal of information. Adding to the intrigue was the announcement of Project Mercury, an RPG set in the Copernicus universe and meant to give players an introduction to the world that the MMORPG Copernicus will be based on.
Schilling founded the studio in Maynard, MA, but according to Gamasutra, Schilling may be considering a move for 38 Studios to Rhode Island to secure up to $75 million in loans under relief provisions available for high-tech companies. Seeking that amount of capital doesn't mean that the company is in trouble as many might speculate, but it could go a long way towards pushing the company's development agenda forward and not put the drain mainly on Schilling's personal funds, which he has already invested a majority of into the studio.
The move is not set in stone as studio officials are meeting with Rhode Island's Economic Development Corporation, which will determine if it will award the company the $75 million loan under its relief program. Massachusetts could offer Schilling enough incentive to keep 38 Studios grounded in Maynard, but time will tell how this will play out.