The drama between Rhode Island and 38 Studios just gets better and better with each passing day. Today, Rhode Island's governor, Lincoln Chafee, announced at a press conference that 38 Studios' MMO will launch in June 2013.
The MMO—code-named "Project Copernicus"—is based on Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, but that's all that has been announced. The MMO is not even supposed to be at E3 this year, so a June 2013 release date seems rather optimistic. I can smell day-one patches and game-breaking bugs from here.
38 Studios is supposed to start paying back the $75 million loan from the state by January 2013. In response to how the company will be able to afford the payments, Chafee explained that 38 Studios' is currently seeking help from private investors a/k/a not Rhode Island taxpayers.
"I said from the beginning that it was a risky enterprise," Chafee said to the press in regards to the situation.
No lie, Governor Chafee. No lie.
[Source]
