Big Huge Games purchased by Nexon

Rise of Nations and DomiNations creator Big Huge Games has been acquired by free-to-play publisher Nexon.

The studio was originally founded in 2000 by veteran developers Tim Train, David Inscore, Jason Coleman and Brian Reynolds, best known as the designer of Civilization and Alpha Centauri.

It was picked up by THQ in 2008, being sold to 38 Studios just one year later after THQ threatened to close the outlet unless a buyer could be found.

Big Huge remained with 38 Studios until the latter firm’s explosive collapse in 2012, resulting in the gutting of both studios’ workforces.

Epic Games’ Baltimore offices, opened in 2012, comprised much of the former Big Huge staff. Later renamed Impossible Studios, the developer lasted one year before shutting in 2013.

Train and Reynolds acquired the Big Huge name in 2014 as part of the 38 Studios auction, using the new title to rechristen SecretNewCo later that year before releasing DomiNations in 2015.

Following this extremely bumpy history, Korean giant Nexon has agreed to purchase the studio for an undisclosed price.

Nexon and Big Huge previously worked together to publish DomiNations.

"We are thrilled to be joining forces with Big Huge Games,” said Nexon CEO Owen Mahoney (via Gamespot).

“One of Nexon’s core objectives is to empower the best game developers around the world enable them to succeed.

"DomiNations has achieved great success in both the West and Asia, and we’re excited to work with Big Huge Games to deliver the best quality gameplay to fans for years to come."

Train, who is Big Huge’s CEO, added: “We’ve had such a great relationship with Nexon on DomiNations, and we’re very excited to become part of the family.

“We share Nexon’s vision that games are most successful when passionate, talented designers can create innovative gameplay, and we look forward to many years of working together to create worldwide hits that change the mobile landscape."