Agoura Hills, Calif. - Video game publisher THQ (NASD: THQI) announced on Tuesday it will acquire roleplaying game developer Big Huge Games for an undisclosed sum.

Maryland-based Big Huge Games was founded in 2000 by a team of developers whose projects include "Rise of Nations," "Alpha Centauri" and "Civilization II."

The studio is currently at work on a new roleplaying title for THQ for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC.

THQ said the studio's management team and 100 staff will remain at its headquarters in Timonium, Md.

"The acquisition of Big Huge Games is a big win for THQ as we continue to expand both our internal development capabilities and our portfolio of owned intellectual properties," said Jack Sorensen, executive vice president of worldwide studios at THQ.

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