When 38 Studios closed down last year after Curt Schilling failed to repay a loan to the state of Rhode Island, Epic stepped in to offer the displaced staff a lifeline and formed Impossible Studios in the process. Things didn’t work out for either party, however, and Impossible Studios is being shut down. Staff will get three months severance pay and a chance to try to keep the studio afloat on their own under the new name.
The Rise and Fall of Impossible Studios
Impossible Studios was born out of a crisis when 38 Studios, the company founded by former baseball star Curt Schilling, went bankrupt. The closure left many talented developers from Big Huge Games, a subsidiary of 38 Studios, without jobs. Epic Games saw an opportunity to help these skilled individuals and simultaneously bolster their own development efforts. Thus, Impossible Studios was formed, with the hope that the team could bring their expertise to new projects.
Despite the initial optimism, the collaboration between Epic Games and the former Big Huge Games staff faced numerous challenges. The team was tasked with working on a project that required a cohesive and well-coordinated effort, but integrating a new team into an existing company is never easy. Cultural differences, varying work styles, and the pressure to deliver results quickly may have contributed to the difficulties.
Challenges and Closure
Epic Games’ Tim Sweeney acknowledged the effort made by the Impossible Studios team but ultimately concluded that the partnership was not yielding the desired results. “When former members of Big Huge Games approached Epic last year, we saw the opportunity to help a great group of people while putting them to work on a project that needed a team. It was a bold initiative and the Impossible folks made a gallant effort, but ultimately it wasn’t working out for Epic,” Sweeney said in the announcement.
The closure of Impossible Studios is a reminder of the volatile nature of the video game industry. Even with the backing of a major player like Epic Games, success is not guaranteed. The decision to shut down the studio was undoubtedly difficult, but it reflects the harsh realities of business where results often dictate the future.
The silver lining for the staff of Impossible Studios is that they will receive three months of severance pay. This financial cushion provides them with some time to explore new opportunities, whether that means joining another established studio or venturing out to create their own independent projects. There is also the possibility of keeping the studio afloat under a new name, which could allow the team to retain some of the camaraderie and momentum they had built.
Bioshock studio Irrational Games seems like a likely home for some of the displaced staff. Ken Levine, the creative director of Irrational Games, expressed his admiration for the work done by Big Huge Games. “I’m a huge fan of everything Big Huge ever did,” Levine tweeted, hinting at the potential for collaboration or employment opportunities for the talented developers.
The story of Impossible Studios is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of game developers. Despite the setbacks, the individuals involved have the skills and experience to continue contributing to the industry. Whether they join other studios or start new ventures, their journey is far from over.
The rise and fall of Impossible Studios highlights both the opportunities and challenges within the video game industry. While the closure is a setback, it also opens new doors for the talented developers who were part of the team. The support from Epic Games and the potential interest from other studios like Irrational Games provide a glimmer of hope for the future. As the industry continues to evolve, the experiences and lessons learned from Impossible Studios will undoubtedly shape the paths of those involved.
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