First-Ever The Naked Brothers Band Video Game Puts Kids on
Nationwide Concert Tour Where They Play Instruments, Control the Stage
Shows and Create Music Videos
AGOURA HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 5, 2008--THQ Inc.
(NASDAQ:THQI) today announced its upcoming portfolio of video games
based on the company's long-standing relationship with Nickelodeon.
THQ's longstanding partnership with Nickelodeon has resulted in sales
of more than $1 billion and accounted for more than 50 million units
worldwide.
This year's feature titles include the video game debut of The
Naked Brothers Band. The Naked Brothers Band: The Video Game (working
title) is based on the highly rated TV show that follows the lives of
a kids' rock band fronted by real-life brothers Nat and Alex Wolff. In
addition, SpongeBob SquarePants will take on a new creative form this
year in Drawn to Life(TM): SpongeBob SquarePants Edition. Based on
last year's top selling Drawn to Life(TM) video game for Nintendo
DS(TM), the game will allow players to draw their own characters and
populate the world of Bikini Bottom with their own creativity. The
2008 portfolio will also include new games based on leading
Nickelodeon TV shows Tak and the Power of Juju, Avatar: The Last
Airbender and Back At The Barnyard. Nickelodeon fans can also look
forward to a new installment of the popular Nicktoons.
"With the enormous popularity of Wii(TM) and DS coupled with our
exceptionally diverse portfolio of Nickelodeon-based games, THQ
continues to lead in family entertainment," said Jim Huntley,
director, global brand management, THQ. "Featuring new forms of
gameplay such as the music-based The Naked Brothers Band and the
drawing-based Drawn to Life: SpongeBob SquarePants Edition, we expect
our upcoming titles to offer completely new ways for families to play
together."
"Gaming is one of the primary activities of our audience, whether
it's online or on the console," said Steve Youngwood, Executive Vice
President, Digital Media for Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family. "THQ's
interactive video games based on our hit shows have continued to help
Nickelodeon maintain its position as a leader in gaming entertainment
for the family, and we look forward to the addition of these new
releases to our library."
The 2008 Nickelodeon portfolio is scheduled for release in Fall
2008 across multiple game systems, including the Wii(TM) video game
console, the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system and
Nintendo DS. For more information on THQ's Nickelodeon titles and the
rest of THQ's family product lineup, please visit www.playthq.com.
The 2008 THQ Nickelodeon videogame lineup includes:
The Naked Brothers Band: The Videogame (working title) - Based
on the highly popular Nickelodeon TV show of the same name,
this music-based video game allows players to live the
superstar life of The Naked Brothers Band. Playing as the
band, players will embark on a nationwide tour where they can
experience all aspects of being in the band: singing, playing
multiple instruments, controlling stage effects like lighting
and pyrotechnics and even creating live concert videos.
Featuring 25 of The Naked Brothers Band's greatest hits, The
Naked Brothers Band is scheduled for release on the
PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Wii and Nintendo
DS.
Drawn to Life: SpongeBob SquarePants Edition - Players will
experience SpongeBob SquarePants like never before by using
the unique drawing mechanic perfected in last year's
innovative Nintendo DS title, Drawn to Life, to draw their own
character and populate the world of Bikini Bottom. Using the
Nintendo DS stylus, players will create their own hero, defeat
DoodleBob's rogue drawings, and rescue SpongeBob and his
friends. Drawn to Life: SpongeBob SquarePants Edition is
scheduled for release on Nintendo DS.
Avatar - The Last Airbender: Into the Inferno - Players will
play as Aang and friends in this action-packed video game
based on the final season of the highly acclaimed TV series.
New gameplay features will allow players to interact with
characters from the TV show while performing thrilling martial
arts moves with enhanced Wii Remote(TM) controls in order to
defeat the Fire Nation. Avatar - The Last Airbender: Into the
Inferno is scheduled for release on the PlayStation 2 computer
entertainment system, Wii and Nintendo DS.
SpongeBob SquarePants featuring Nicktoons: Globs of Doom -
SpongeBob SquarePants featuring Nicktoons: Globs of Doom is an
action-packed adventure featuring 10 playable characters from
some of the most popular Nickelodeon TV shows, as well as
numerous iconic locations such as Retroville, Amity Park and
Bikini Bottom. Players will play cooperatively as both heroes
and villains while utilizing special gadgets in order to
defeat the Morphoids. SpongeBob SquarePants featuring
Nicktoons: Globs of Doom is scheduled for release on the
PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Wii and Nintendo
DS.
Tak and the Guardians of Gross - Tak and the Guardians of
Gross follows the shaman's apprentice as he visits the Spoiled
Shrine and accidentally removes a strange crystal that
explodes and releases the four giant Grosstrosities. Using all
new "parkour" style of gameplay, players will be running on
walls, sliding down poles, and swinging on vines to navigate
action-packed levels. Tak and the Guardians of Gross is
scheduled for release on the PlayStation 2 computer
entertainment system and on Wii. In addition, Tak Mojo Mistake
is scheduled for release on Nintendo DS.
Back at the Barnyard: Slop Bucket Games (working title) - The
popular Nickelodeon series stampedes its way onto Nintendo DS
for the first time. Players will compete in the first annual
Slop Bucket Games - a series of wacky, fun, sporting events
and reinvented classic arcade games with barnyard motifs. Back
at the Barnyard is scheduled for release on Nintendo DS only.
About Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon, now in its 29th year, is the number-one entertainment
brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting
kids first in everything it does. The company includes television
programming and production in the United States and around the world,
plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and
feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more
than 96 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic
cable network for more than 13 consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all
related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc.
(NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B).
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 and
wireless devices. 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, Drawn to Life and their
respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ
Inc.
Wii and Nintendo DS are trademarks of Nintendo.
"PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks
of Sony Computer Entertainment 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 Nickelodeon
2008 video game portfolio, 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 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.
CONTACT:
THQ/Media Relations
Kristina Kirk, 818-871-5119
or
THQ/Investor Relations
Julie MacMedan, 818-871-5125
SOURCE: THQ Inc.
