It looks like Big Huge Games, the developer behind the Rise of Nations series, has found a new home with 38 studios. In a deal with THQ, 38 Studios has acquired not only the studio but all of its tools, IPs, and projects in development.

No specifics were disclosed about the finical details of the transaction, but 38 Studios stated that this was a “critical step” in furthering production of products around the company’s original fantasy IP, Copernicus. The Big Huge Games team, which had been down-sized under THQ, will be integrated into 38 Studios.

"The acquisition of Big Huge Games will be tremendously beneficial to the growth, market position, financial stability, and long-term success of 38 Studios," says 38 Studios president and CEO Brett Close.

The major focus of the acquisition was on Big Huge Games’s RTS/RPG engine. Close states that the engine will “accelerate” the development process on the online game based around the Copernicus IP. He adds that the engine will also support "multiple genres that are based in a shared world."

Big Huge Games was founded by Brian Reynolds, Jason Coleman, Dave Inscore, and Tim Train in 2000. The company’s last project was the Xbox Live Arcade title Catan, which was a video game version of the popular board gane. The studio currently has an unnamed RPG in development for the 360, PS3 and PC.

In April, THQ had issued major layoffs for the company in an effort to cut costs. The company was in danger of being closed at the time if a buyer could not be found.

"Big Huge Games and 38 Studios share a common vision – to deliver the most engaging, compelling, original experiences possible," says Big Huge CEO Tim Train. "Joining the 38 Studios family allows us to continue translating our passions into great games."