38 Studios has acquired Rise Of Nations developer Big Huge Games from publisher THQ, including all of the company’s proprietary IP, tools, technology, assets and works-in-progress.

While specific financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, 38 Studios labelled the acquisition “a critical step” in its strategy to deliver a broad range of entertainment products centred on its original fantasy IP, codenamed Copernicus.

The Big Huge Games team, which is currently developing an unnamed RPG for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, will be integrated into 38 Studios but will remain based in Timonium, Maryland.

“BHG’s cross-platform RTS/RPG engine will accelerate the realisation of our online entertainment experience for the Copernicus IP,” said 38 Studios CEO Brett Close. “The acquisition enables us to develop and deliver top-quality games in multiple genres that are based in a shared world, ultimately maximising the value of our Copernicus MMOG and the intellectual property as a whole.”

Former parent company THQ said in March that Big Huge Games needed to seek a buyer or suffer a complete shutdown as the publisher moved to cut 24 percent of its workforce.