Please support Game Informer. Print magazine subscriptions are less than $2 per issue
No Charges In 38 Studios Case, Schilling Calls Investigation ‘Fake A** Witch Hunt’
On February 7, 2012, Curt Schilling stood on stage proudly at an EA press event in New York City. It was the launch day for Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, and his company, 38 Studios had released what would be its only game.
Since then, the studio failed to make loan payments to the state of Rhode Island, the company collapsed into bankruptcy four months to the day after Amalur’s release, the in-development Amalur MMO is no more, and the residents of the state are footing the multi-million bill for star-struck ambition of long-departed economic development officials. Today, another chapter of the sad tale comes to a close.
No charges will be filed against Schilling or members of the state economic development board that authorized the $75 million loan. State attorney general Peter Kilmartin says the investigation is not being closed, however. Charges could some day be filed if more information comes to light.
In an eight-page document explaining the decision not to file charges, the Rhode Island State Police and attorney general state that “the quantity and quality” of the evidence would not be enough to secure a conviction. This decision does not intersect or impact with a civil case or Securities and Exchange Commission fraud charges filed against the state and some of those individuals responsible for pushing the deal through.
On Twitter, Schilling was quick to respond calling the investigation a “fake a** witch hunt.” In a subsequent tweet on an unrelated topic, Schilling also called former Governor Lincoln Chafee, who led the state during 38 Studios’ collapse, an “a**hat". Chafee brought the loan default to the public's attention, essentially dooming 38 Studios.
@PerryRussom could have saved 10s of millions more by telling you that 5 years ago. Disgusted to see officers sent on fake ass witch hunt
— Curt Schilling (@gehrig38) July 29, 2016
For more on 38 Studios’ rapid rise and catastrophic flameout, you can read our past coverage.
Our Take
Schilling’s colorful language aside, the onus here was on the state of Rhode Island to do its due diligence. It’s not entirely surprising there are no charges against the former Red Sox pitcher and his defunct company. Residents of Rhode Island still have some hope for justice as the two civil cases are pending and will be headed to court in the coming months.
I’d like to ask you to support Game Informer’s continued coverage of games with a subscription. For less than two dollars per issue, we mail you a full year of 10 print magazines, each with cover stories and preview features filled with exclusive details about the most exciting upcoming games. We profile and interview game creators. We look back on the rich history of gaming, and we celebrate what’s next.
Here on the website, we offer much of our content for free, including game reviews, daily news, videos, event coverage, and more – all with minimal ads.
We do so with a small editorial team, alongside contributing paid writers from around the world – over 65 individuals from 9 countries around the world, just in the last couple of years.
It’s not possible without support.
In a time when game makers and games coverage have faced hard struggles and layoffs, the future of this 30+ year magazine and community is at risk. Our new standalone magazine subscription is the number one way you can keep us alive – and we believe you’ll get a pretty fantastic gaming magazine in your mailbox every few weeks for your trouble.
Thank you.
