This was a rumor floating around most of yesterday, but I didn’t want to say anything until it was confirmed. This is yet another in a growing list of signs that THQ could have major viability problems.

Big Huge Games hasn’t done an original AAA game since Rise of Legends, though its Asian Dynasties expansion for Age of Empires III and its XBLA version of Settlers of Catan were both excellent. This is a studio that knows its craft.

But I wonder if anybody is in the market for BHG?

Microsoft already let Ensemble go. Yes, BHG does more than real time strategy games (their current one is an RPG) but I can’t see MS swallowing a developer that mostly replaces a skill set they already deemed unnecessary.

EA is the obvious gobbling monster out there, but after the recent layoffs and closures at that company, Big Huge Games would be a curious acquistion.

And Take Two Software? They own Firaxis, through 2k, and so have a Maryland based developer already – one with Brian Reynolds imprint on its history. But it too is not in the best financial shape to buy BHG from THQ.

There is always the Independent Studio route, something embraced by the Ensemble refugees. This is the riskiest option, but there is way too much talent there for no one to take a chance on them. I’m sure a lot of companies would love to cherry pick Brian Reynolds and a few of the other very, very skilled people there.

Good luck to everyone in Timonium.