THQ set to close Big Huge Games, spin off two more devs

THQ said overnight that it's to close Rise of Nations developer Big Huge Games if it can't secure a buyer in the "near future."

LA-based Heavy Iron Studios and Carlsbad-based Incinerator have also been notified that they're about to become independent companies.

“As part of THQ’s previously announced business realignment and related headcount reduction plans that targeted cost reductions of $220 million, including a reduction in workforce of 600 people worldwide, THQ today notified the staff at two of its development studios that they will be spun out as independent companies: Heavy Iron in Los Angeles, CA, and Incinerator in Carlsbad, CA," said the publisher in a statement.

"In addition, THQ informed the staff at its Big Huge Games studio in Timonium, MD, that it plans to close the studio if a sale is not completed in the near future. These actions were unfortunate but were necessitated by the difficult economic environment.”

Big Huge Games is a veteran RTS developer, founded in 2000 and bought by THQ in 2008. Heavy Iron and Incinerator worked on casual franchises for THQ, including The Incredibles, WALL-E, SpongeBob SquarePants and NickToons.

Thanks, CrispyGamer and Gama.