Curt Schilling pitching videogames
These days when Curt Schilling isn't pitching for the Boston Red Sox, he's most likely pitching videogames in boardrooms.
The two-time World Series champion spends most off-days clocked in as founder and chairman of videogame start-up 38 Studios LLC. Schilling, who wears number 38, started the company in September and has been actively talking with venture-capital firms and potential strategic partners around the world about his vision for an entertainment company that revolves around a massively multiplayer online, or MMO, game.
"This was a really cool idea back in May [2006] when it was a bunch of gamers talking about making a game," Schilling said from his company's office in Maynard, Mass. "Now, we're talking about 401(k)s and leasing office space."
Schilling, a self-described "hardcore gamer," said he started thinking several years ago about how he wanted to spend life after baseball. His passion for gaming won out, and he has spent the past few years assembling an accomplished team for his new venture.
The first products from 38 Studios will feature the artistic vision of world-renowned comic book and toy creator Todd McFarlane, who is most wellknown for creating the Emmy Award-winning HBO series "Spawn." The storyline for the game will be drafted by best-selling author R.A. Salvatore, who has written more than 40 novels in the fantasy genre, selling more than 15 million copies worldwide.
The executive roster at 38 Studios is made up of decades of experience in the gaming industry. President and Chief Executive Brett Close previously worked at Midway Games and Electronic Arts. Chief Marketing Officer Mary Kirchoff worked at Hasbro as vice president of marketing, publishing and tabletop games. Vice President of Creative Development Scott Cuthbertson oversaw development of Disney-branded games at Walt Disney Internet Group, a unit of Walt Disney Co. Chief Operating Officer Bill Thomas has served as consultant for companies all over the world, including Boeing, Samsung and Texas Instruments.
"I started out just wanting to make a game, but when I started doing my research on the industry I realized that outside of baseball, in the business world, there are companies run by people who know what it's like to put together a team," Schilling said. "I recognized those similarities to baseball and built a championship team.
"I made sure I had the people in place so that I could do my day job without worrying about it."
The "day job," of course, is pitching for the Red Sox, and company executives know that throwing strikes takes precedent over business matters.
"On a game day he thinks of nothing but pitching," Thomas said. "I know we can't talk about business. It's his routine and I know that's his main job."
Schilling said the new company has yet to interfere with baseball. A spokesman for the Red Sox said the team had no comment on the issue.
The vision for 38 Studios is much more than a new game title. Schilling wants to build an entertainment company around the game that consists of comic books, novels, toys and other products based on characters featured in the game.
"I don't show up to spring training and plan to come in second place," Schilling said. "I show up to win a World Series. I'm not just here to build a videogame. This is no different than baseball."
While his determination in the gaming industry may match his tenacity on the mound, Schilling's schedule certainly has changed with his new venture.
"You would be hard-pressed to find me up before noon most baseball seasons," Schilling said. "This has taken some adjusting."
Thomas said if Schilling is in town and not scheduled to pitch he's the first person in the office. Most days he's in before 8 a.m. and leaves about 1 p.m. to head to the ballpark for his workout.
"He's a pure visionary and he inspires people to do things they don't think they can do," Thomas said. "I'm 62 years old and I've worked in a corporate world for many years. There are probably a handful of people who can inspire me and Curt is one of those people. Curt is passionate about this industry like no other."
Schilling said he has his hands in all areas of the business, from hiring engineers to paying the rent. Among those tasks are wrangling funds from investors and strategic partners. Thomas has helped lead that charge and expects the company will close a funding round this year worth up to $20 million. He said the company is being picky, taking its time to find the perfect investor that will bring more to the company than cash. The company has been funded internally up to this point.
The company is talking to U.S. venture-capital firms on both coasts and strategic partners like International Business Machines Corp. and Comcast Corp., Thomas said. He declined to say how much the company expects to raise to get to profitability. "It's more than what I want it to be, but less than what people are guessing," he said.
The company is also looking for financial backers in other countries, specifically Japan, South Korea and China, where the gaming industry thrives.
With the buzz surrounding the company's celebrity backing and the pedigreed team creating the game, many in the industry have high expectations about what will be developed at 38 Studios. But the company is not leaking any details about future products, other than a game should be released in late 2010.
Schilling, an outspoken team leader who is known to deliver a good pitch, said gamers won't be disappointed.
"I've been a die-hard MMO and computer gamer my whole life," he said, "and what we have now is exciting as hell." (Dow Jones)
