New massively multiplayer online game from embattled 38 Studios landing in 12 months; first trailer revealed.

38 Studios' massively multiplayer online game currently codenamed Project Copernicus is scheduled to arrive in June 2013. The news comes from Rhode Island governor Lincoln Chafee, who revealed the date today during a press conference attended by Joystiq discussing the future of embattled Providence-based 38 Studios.

How often does a state official announce a release date?!

Further details on the game were not revealed, as Chafee simply stated, "What I understand is Copernicus is June '13." Requests to 38 Studios for confirmation of the date were not returned as of press time.

Also during the briefing today, Chafee announced that 38 Studios' $1.125 million check to the state of Rhode Island has cleared. This fulfills the company's first obligated payment on the game studio's controversial 2010 $75 million loan from the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC).

38 Studios founder Curt Schilling offered his first public comments on the issues surrounding the company last night through Facebook.

"To all the prayers and well wishes to the team and families at 38, God Bless and thank you! We will find a way, and the strength, to endure," he wrote.

The RIEDC board Wednesday held an emergency meeting to discuss whether to provide additional assistance to 38 Studios to keep the company in business. While the board made no ruling on the matter, it is expected to consider the topic again on Monday.

[UPDATE]: Shortly after the publication of this article, 38 Studios uploaded a teaser trailer for Copernicus to YouTube. The trailer is a brief tour of the gameworld's environments and can be seen below.

[ Watch Video ]

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