# Big Huge Games

> American company that produces and publishes electronic games

**Wikidata**: [Q600338](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q600338)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Huge_Games)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/big-huge-games

## Summary
Big Huge Games was an American video game developer and publisher founded in February 2000, best known for strategy titles like *Rise of Nations*. It operated as a subsidiary of THQ until its closure in May 2012 following THQ's financial restructuring.

## Key Facts
- Founded: February 2000
- Dissolved: May 24, 2012
- Parent company: THQ (a major video game publisher)
- Headquarters: Timonium, Maryland, U.S.
- Notable products: *Rise of Nations*, *Dominion: Empires of Man*
- Legal form: Privately held company
- Key executive: Brian Reynolds (director/manager)
- Industry: Video game development and publishing

## FAQs
### Q: When was Big Huge Games founded?
A: Big Huge Games was founded in February 2000.

### Q: What happened to Big Huge Games?
A: The company was dissolved on May 24, 2012, as part of parent company THQ's bankruptcy proceedings and restructuring efforts.

### Q: What is Big Huge Games known for?
A: It is best known for developing the critically acclaimed real-time strategy game *Rise of Nations* and its expansions.

## Why It Matters
Big Huge Games played a notable role in the strategy gaming genre during the 2000s, contributing to the evolution of real-time strategy (RTS) games with titles like *Rise of Nations*. As a subsidiary of THQ, a major industry player at the time, the studio's work reflected broader trends in AAA game development. Its closure in 2012 highlighted the financial volatility of the gaming industry and the challenges faced by mid-sized studios during publisher consolidations. The company's legacy is tied to its innovative approach to RTS gameplay and its influence on subsequent strategy titles.

## Notable For
- Developed *Rise of Nations* (2003), a critically acclaimed RTS game that won multiple awards.
- Led by industry veteran Brian Reynolds, known for his work on *Civilization II* and *Alpha Centauri*.
- Closed during THQ's bankruptcy, marking a significant loss of talent and intellectual property in the strategy genre.
- Focused on large-scale, historically inspired strategy games with unique gameplay mechanics.

## Body
### History
Big Huge Games was founded in February 2000 in Timonium, Maryland. It operated as a privately held company until its dissolution in 2012. The studio was acquired by THQ, which served as its parent organization until THQ's bankruptcy led to the closure of several subsidiaries, including Big Huge Games.

### Ownership
- **Parent Company**: THQ (1990–2013), a U.S.-based video game publisher headquartered in Agoura Hills, California.
- **Structure**: Operated as a subsidiary under THQ's broader portfolio of studios, which included other notable developers like Relic Entertainment.

### Notable Games
- *Rise of Nations* (2003): A real-time strategy game praised for its "Conquest" mode and historical scope.
- *Rise of Nations: Thrones and Patriots* (2004): An expansion pack adding new campaigns and civilizations.
- *Dominion: Empires of Man* (unreleased): A canceled massively multiplayer online strategy game.

### Leadership
- **Brian Reynolds**: Served as a director/manager at the studio. Reynolds was a renowned game designer with prior credits on *Civilization II* and *Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri*.

### Dissolution
Big Huge Games closed on May 24, 2012, as part of THQ's efforts to restructure amid financial difficulties. The closure resulted in layoffs and the cancellation of ongoing projects, including *Dominion: Empires of Man*. THQ itself filed for bankruptcy later in 2012, leading to the dissolution of its remaining assets in 2013.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. Quora
5. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Big_Huge_Games-5KYBM8)
6. VideoGameGeek