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Rhode Island governor Lincoln Chafee has confirmed that Kingdoms of Amalur developer 38 Studios has cut staff, presumably as part of an effort to meet its debts to the state.
The number of people who had lost their jobs was not specified, although it is known that all contractors and temporary staff had been let go.
Chafee also confirmed that not every employee had been paid.
The first cheque 38 Studios has written to the state of Rhode Island cleared yesterday after bouncing on Friday.
Although it covered the studio’s first repayment, the USD $1.125 million (NZD $1.48m) cheque barely made a dent in the USD $49m (NZD $64.7m) loan 38 Studios received from the taxpayer-funded Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation.
Rhode Island governor Lincoln Chafee, who was elected after the loan was made, stated that the state was changing tax break legislation so such a deal could not be made in the future.
The Rhode Island government is hoping to keep struggling Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning developer 38 Studios open.
Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee and the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation met with 38 Studios for discussions, and hoped to protect the taxpayer dollars invested in the company.
The game studio, founded by pro baseball player Curt Schilling, received a USD $75 million (NZD $97.5m) loan guarantee from the Rhode Island Economic Development Committee prior to Chafee taking office.
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is an open-world action role-playing game set in Amalur, a mysterious and magical new fantasy world created by New York Times bestselling author R. A. Salvatore. Brought to life visually through the trademark style of renowned artist and Spawn creator Todd McFarlane, Reckoning brings a new level of visual style and visceral action combat to the RPG genre. The game is being developed under the leadership of Ken Rolston, lead designer of the critically acclaimed RPGs Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
Reckoning combines intense third-person action combat with deep exploration, expansive character development and customization, and immersive storytelling in an extraordinarily detailed fantasy universe. Gamers begin their journey when they miraculously rise from the dead, wielding dangerous new magic capable of changing the very Fate of Amalur. Thrust into a brutal war between multiple races, factions, and alliances, players vie for the secrets of their immortality and the ancient evil that threatens to consume the world.
The lore of Kingdoms of Amalur spans an epic course of 10,000Â years of history created by R. A. Salvatore. Reckoning captures a moment in this history, the tale of a singular hero capable of reshaping the fate of the world of Amalur. Every building, tree, and creature has a clear and defined history within this immersive world filled with extraordinary landscapes, mysterious cities, colorful characters, and fantastic creatures inspired by the legendary art style of Todd McFarlane.
Features:
- Intense Action Combat in an RPG – Create your own unique combat style, choosing from among nine different melee weapon classes and dozens of devastating spells in Reckoning's unique Action Magic combat system. Eradicate your enemies in grand fight sequences featuring brutal Fateshift finishing moves that will redefine visceral RPG combat.
- Open World RPG Design Led by Ken Rolston – Play your way through 60+ hours of riveting storyline, diverse side quests, and open-world exploration created by RPG gurus Ken Rolston (Lead Designer, Morrowind, Oblivion), Creative Director Mark Nelson (Lead Designer, Shivering Isles; Morrowind, Oblivion, Fallout 3), and Lead Designer Ian Frazier (Titan Quest).
- Rich Fiction and Storytelling by R.A. Salvatore – Reckoning is set in the Kingdoms of Amalur universe and its 10,000 years of deep fiction created by 22-time New York Times bestselling author R.A. Salvatore.
- Art and Action Directed by Todd McFarlane – Brought to life through the direction of renowned Spider-Man artist Todd McFarlane, creator of Spawn and Founder of Image Comics, Reckoning brings you intense action combat, hordes of gruesome enemies, and beautifully realized fantasy vistas.
- Choose Your Destiny – Create your character from dozens of unique skills and abilities, and further customize it as Reckoning's reÂvolutionary new Destiny System unlocks powerful new Destinies based on how you choose to play. Millions of combinations of weapons and armor allow you complete the character that looks and plays the way you've always hoped.
