- Studio to Drive THQ’s Efforts in $1.3 Billion
Role-Playing-Game Category - AGOURA HILLS,
Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI -
News) today announced plans to acquire Big Huge Games,
a leading development studio focused on the Role-Playing-Game
(RPG) genre, a multi-billion dollar market segment.
Big Huge Games was founded in 2000 by four veteran game
developers, Brian Reynolds, Jason Coleman, Dave Inscore
and Tim Train, who together have brought strategy gamers
such classic hits as Rise of Nations®, Alpha Centauri®,
and Civilization II®. Key studio members also include
Ken Rolston, a 25-year RPG design veteran whose most
recent design accolades include Elder Scrolls IV: OblivionTM
and Elder Scrolls III; MorrowindTM.
“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, THQ. “The talent
at Big Huge Games has an outstanding history of developing
top-selling quality games and we look forward to their
creation of many exciting new owned franchises for THQ.”
“We are extremely excited to become a part of
THQ,” said Tim Train, president and COO of Big
Huge Games. “We believe their passion for games,
developer support, and understanding of the creative
process is without parallel in the industry. THQ provides
an ideal environment to help us develop new, innovative
games for both core gamers and mass market.”
The studio is currently in development on a previously
announced new RPG title for THQ for the Xbox 360®
video game and entertainment system, PLAYSTATION®3
computer entertainment system and Windows PC, as well
as additional console projects based on their proprietary
technology.
The acquisition is expected to close shortly, subject
to certain conditions. Under the terms of the agreement,
Big Huge Games will become a wholly owned subsidiary
of THQ and the studio’s management and employees
will continue with the company. The 100 person studio
is located in Timonium, Maryland. Financial terms were
not disclosed.
 About
Big Huge Games
Founded in 2000 by four veteran game developers who
together have brought strategy gamers such classic hits
as Rise of Nations®, Alpha Centauri®, and Civilization
II®, Big Huge Games is a video game studio focused
on cutting-edge technology and aimed at mass-market
game development. Big Huge Games founders Brian Reynolds,
Jason Coleman, David Inscore and Tim Train continue
in the tradition of creating inspired and innovative
games for PC and next-generation consoles. Creating
games that have received numerous "Game of the
Year" awards and accolades, Big Huge Games is headquartered
in Timonium, Maryland. For more information about Big
Huge Games, please visit www.bighugegames.com.
 About
THQ
TTHQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI - News) is a leading worldwide
developer and publisher of interactive entertainment
software. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California,
THQ sells product through its global network of offices
located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.
More information about THQ and its products may be found
at www.thq.com
and www.thqwireless.com.
THQ, THQ Wireless and their respective logos are trademarks
and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.
All other trademarks are trademarks or registered trademarks
of their respective owners.
The statements contained in this press release that
are not historical facts may be “forward-looking
statements” within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking
statements are based on current expectations, estimates
and projections about the business of THQ Inc. and its
subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “THQ”),
including, but not limited to, expectations and projections
related to the acquisition of Big Huge Games and the
studio’s ability to create successful franchises
for THQ, and are based upon management’s current
beliefs and certain assumptions made by management.
Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks
and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those expressed or implied by
such forward-looking statements, including, but not
limited to, business, competitive, economic, legal,
political and technological factors affecting our industry,
operations, markets, products or pricing as well as
THQ’s ability to successfully integrate the acquired
business. Readers should carefully review the risk factors
and the information that could materially affect THQ’s
financial results, described in other documents that
THQ files from time to time with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly Reports
on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal period ended March 31, 2007, and particularly
the discussion of risk factors set forth therein. Unless
otherwise required by law, THQ disclaims any obligation
to update its view on any such risks or uncertainties
or to revise or publicly release the results of any
revision to these forward-looking statements. Readers
are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date of this
press release.
|
|
