Rhode Island announces first settlement in 38 Studios case

The Rhode Island government has announced a proposed settlement in the 38 Studios case, which should net the state around $4.4 million dollars. The state has reached an agreement with defendants Antonio Afonso, Jr. and Moses Afonso Ryan, a law firm in which he is a partner, and which is a bond holder in the loan the state's development agency -- now called RICC -- extended to 38 Studios to move to the state to develop its MMO Copernicus. The payment would be made by the law firm's insurance company. The $4.4 million sum represents $5 million in insurance, less the cost of Afonso's defense. The state took possession of the company and its assets, including the uncompleted Copernicus in 2012, but failed to sell the franchise or the development assets off late last year at auction. As reported by Rhode Island TV station WPRI, the RICC board of directors has voted to approve the settlement agreement. As is customary in a settlement, Afonso and his firm avoid any admission of guilt by settling; for its part, the state avoids the possibility that the funds will be unavailable by the time a trial could be concluded, WPRI reports. Though the agreement to settle has been approved by both sides, the court still has to approve the deal before it can move forward. The law firm and Afonso are just two of 14 defendants in the state's lawsuit, which was filed in 2012 and includes 38 Studios founder Curt Schilling among its other defendants. If you're interested in what could have been, you can read this report on the world-building for 38's Amalur franchise by bestselling fantasy author R.A. Salvatore, who was attached to the project.