Weather Becomes the Third Player with Innovative ColdTech™ System
AGOURA HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 24, 2012--
THQ
Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced that its award-winning upcoming
strategy game Company of Heroes® 2 will feature innovative
weather condition simulating technology never seen before in the
Strategy game genre.
Troops suffering from the effects of Hypothermia in Company of Heroes 2 (Photo: Business Wire)
Any historian will attest to the huge role the brutal Soviet winter
played in the Eastern Front theatre of World War II and this is now
realistically simulated in-game thanks to Relic Entertainment’s new
Essence™ Engine 3.0 and its ColdTech system.
ColdTech includes an ‘extreme cold’ mechanic which accurately
encapsulates the Soviet winter which reached extremes of -40 degrees F
in 1941. At those temperatures human skin will freeze in a matter of
minutes, something that is portrayed in the game. On winter maps,
Infantry units exposed to the bitter cold will gradually freeze to death
unless the player keeps them warm by building fires and garrisoning them
in buildings. Dynamic blizzards will increase the effects of extreme
cold making it even more hazardous to leave infantry in the open.
The new ColdTech system also allows the Essence Engine to dynamically
paint on and remove snow, meaning that not only does it accumulate on
buildings and vehicles, but it can also be melted or removed from
objects by the player. Snow also has realistic depth which actually
impacts troop movement and will retain persistent infantry and vehicle
tracks throughout the match unless covered by fresh snow fall.
On top of the innovations in snow technology the engine allows ice to
become a weapon in a smart commander’s arsenal. Not only does it have a
unique texture, affecting vehicle and troop movement, but it can
collapse or be destroyed from underneath troops and vehicles, plunging
them into the hypothermic Russian waters. Over time destroyed ice will
re-form due to the winter conditions in the game.
All of these new innovations feature alongside Company of Heroes 2’s
other technological advancements like the TrueSight™ dynamic
line-of-sight mechanic to make this a worthy successor to Company of
Heroes.
Quinn Duffy, Game Director at Relic Entertainment, commented, “Company
of Heroes 2 is all about authenticity and no game based on the Eastern
Front would be complete without extreme weather conditions. Thanks to
the enhanced technology offered by the new Essence Engine we are able to
accurately portray the bitter Soviet winter which crippled the German
army.”
The original Company of Heroes was released in 2006 to critical acclaim
and is currently the highest rated strategy title on Gamerankings.com
(with more than five reviews) with an average of 93.82% based on 56
reviews. The game features similar acclaim on Metacritic.com with a
Metascore of 93% based on 55 reviews.
Company of Heroes 2 is scheduled to be available for PC in early 2013.
For more information check www.companyofheroes.com.
About Company of Heroes 2
It is 1941 and the beginning of what will become the most brutal
conflict of World War II, as Germany launches a full-scale invasion of
the frozen tundra of the Soviet Union which would result in over 14
million military casualties. Take command of the iconic Soviet Red Army
in brutal frontline warfare to free Mother Russia from the invading
Nazis. Your strategic skills and tactical expertise hold the power to
tip the very balance of this conflict in the sequel to the critically
acclaimed and multi award-winning Company of Heroes. Engage in visceral
tactical combat that will define you as a military leader and challenge
you to wield the might of the Soviet Empire as you smash your way to
Berlin.
About THQ
THQ
Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher
of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products
for all popular game systems, personal computers, wireless devices and
the Internet. 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.
THQ, Company of Heroes 2, Essence, ColdTech, Relic, Relic Entertainment
and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks
of THQ Inc. All other trademarks are the property 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 Company of Heroes 2 video
game 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.
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 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal period ended March 31, 2012, and particularly the discussion of
trends and 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.
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Source: THQ Inc.
THQ/Media Relations
Neal Pabon, 818-871-8588
Neal.Pabon@thq.com
or
THQ/Corporate
Communications
Angela Emery, 818-871-8650
