Best-Selling Fighting Videogame Franchise Set to Deliver
Unparalleled Creative and Online Freedom, Significant Annual
Improvements and Robust Talent Roster
AGOURA HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 24, 2009--
THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI) and JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ:JAKK) today
announced the first gameplay details surrounding WWE®
SmackDown® vs. Raw® 2010, the 11th edition to the
distinguished fighting videogame franchise. Poised to feature the most
authentic, entertaining and compelling simulation of WWE programming to
date across multiple videogame platforms, WWE
SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 will introduce inspiring creative and
online freedom, significant franchise improvements and a comprehensive
roster of today’s most prominent WWE Superstars and Divas. WWE
SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 is currently in development for
the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft,
PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®2 computer
entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Wii™ and
Nintendo DS™, with a scheduled release date of October 20, 2009.
“WWE
SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 will put the power of created
freedom and shareable, user-generated content directly into the players’
hands, giving them the ability to control the action beyond anything
ever witnessed in WWE programming,” said Brian Coleman, vice president,
global brand management, THQ. “Combined with new Road to WrestleMania
storylines, an impressive roster and other major franchise updates,
including our new gameplay experiences on Wii and Nintendo DS, WWE
SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 will be the must-have game for
players on October 20.”
“WWE
SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 is certain to take the renowned WWE
SmackDown vs. Raw videogame franchise to the next level,” said Nelo
Lucich, senior vice president of interactive, JAKKS Pacific. “The vast
array of creative and online options allow players the ability to create
their own unique Superstars, right down to their tattoos and customized
ring gear, to formulate original finishing moves, to craft their own
storylines and then to share it all through the WWE Community Creations
interface. The possibilities for total distinctive gameplay are endless
for our tremendous fan base around the world.”
About WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 –
Creative and Online Freedom
WWE
SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 will introduce a new
Create-a-Superstar Mode, including a fresh look, all-new 3-D parts and
improved graphical quality, allowing players to create Superstars and
Divas who are comparable in quality with their in-game WWE counterparts.
Adding to the creative mix, a new Paint Tool will enable detailed
creation of tattoos, logos and other unique designs, while a
franchise-first Superstar Threads feature will let players create
alternate ring gear for Superstars and Divas by customizing the colors
of shirts, pants, face paint, elbow pads, boots and more. The game’s
Create-a-Finisher Mode will now let players create acrobatic and
gravity-defying diving attacks from the top turnbuckle, as well as move
their creations to new heights by adjusting the trajectory. In addition,
the mode will deliver an extensive assortment of new moves from the
front grapple position.
Taking creativity even further, WWE
SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 will also mark the debut of the
WWE Story Designer. In this new mode, players will embrace a directorial
role to create and customize their own storylines and cut scenes,
including the ability to select talent and scene locations, write their
own dialogue, adjust camera angles, select from over 100 scene
animations, determine talent emotions and much more. Players will also
be able to construct each night’s show card with matches, unique match
stipulations, interference events and other story twists and turns.
WWE
SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 is set to empower players with not
only extensive creative freedom but the ability to share their gameplay
experiences as well. For the first time in franchise history, the WWE
Community Creations interface will enable players to upload their
creations online, including created Superstars and Divas, story designs,
finishing moves, entrance movies and highlight reels, and share them
with others around the world. Players may also download created content
via keyword search engine from other users for use both online and
offline. In addition, players will be able to tag their creations with
search terms, as well as leave ratings, allowing for ease of use in
searching the robust database for the most popular – or even the most
obscure – created items.
About WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 –
Additional Gameplay Features
In addition to its extensive creative and online offerings, WWE
SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 will include a number of key
franchise updates. The WWE Training Facility will provide players with a
franchise-first in-game tutorial, making it simple for both long-time
fans and newcomers to get helpful gameplay tips and practice moves with
their favorite Superstars and Divas. The game’s Road to WrestleMania
story-based mode, introduced last year to high acclaim by consumers and
press alike, returns with interactive cut scenes showcased within six
brand new storylines, including a Create-a-Superstar storyline and a
Divas storyline. In addition, a robust talent roster will include more
than 60 playable Superstars and Divas, many of whom will make their
videogame debut, as they represent the Raw, SmackDown and ECW® brands. A
high-profile soundtrack rounds out the gameplay experience, including
“Still Unbroken,” the new single from Lynyrd Skynyrd’s upcoming album, God
& Guns, as well as songs from artists such as Skillet, Sick
Puppies, Adelita’s Way and Trivium.
About WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 –
Wii and Nintendo DS
Delivering a button-based, simulation-style experience for the first
time on the platform, WWE
SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 for Wii will support the Wii
Remote™ and Nunchuk™, Classic Controller™ and the Nintendo GameCube™
controller, allowing players to get to the heart of the WWE videogame
experience in a number of ways. In addition, the game will offer a
broader features list to the Wii gaming audience, including a more
robust move set, more match types, Create-a-Superstar,
Create-a-Finisher, WWE Story Designer, Road to WrestleMania and more.
WWE
SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 for Nintendo DS will also offer a
more simulation-based experience, introducing streamlined controls that
take advantage of the DS directional pad and eliminate use of the
stylus. Throughout gameplay, players will earn a variety of collectible
cards to gain power-ups and unlock content, including arenas, backstage
areas and Superstar profiles. In Story Mode, players will take their
created Superstars on an action-packed journey through all WWE brands,
participating in training mini-games and interactive cut scenes while
earning new moves and customization parts along the way. Rounding out
the Nintendo DS experience, a franchise-first Ambulance Match will see
players attempt to lock their opponents inside an ambulance to attain
victory.
More information about WWE SmackDown
vs. Raw 2010 can be found at www.smackdownvsraw.com
and www.thq.com.
About World Wrestling Entertainment,
Inc.
Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (NYSE:WWE),
can be found at wwe.com
and corporate.wwe.com.
For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.
About THQ Inc.
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 and the THQ logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ
Inc.
About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
JAKKS
Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ:JAKK) is a leading designer and marketer of
toys and consumer products, with a wide range of products that feature
some of the most popular children's toy licenses in the world. JAKKS’
diverse portfolio includes Action Figures, Art Activity Kits,
Stationery, Writing Instruments, Performance Kites, Water Toys, Sports
Activity Toys, Vehicles, Infant/Pre-School, Plush, Construction Toys,
Electronics, Dolls, Dress-Up, Role Play, and Pet Toys and Accessories,
sold under various proprietary brands including JAKKS Pacific®, Play
Along®, Flying Colors®, Creative Designs International™, Road Champs®,
Child Guidance®, Pentech®, Funnoodle®, Go Fly a Kite®, Color Workshop®,
JAKKS Pets®, EyeClops®, Plug It In & Play TV Games™, Girl Gourmet®, Kids
Only®, Tollytots® and Disguise. JAKKS is an award-winning licensee of
several hundred nationally and internationally known trademarks
including Disney®, Nickelodeon®, Warner Bros.®, World Wrestling
Entertainment®, Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Graco® and Cabbage
Patch Kids. JAKKS and THQ Inc. participate in a joint venture that has
worldwide rights to publish and market World Wrestling Entertainment
video games. For further information, visit www.jakks.com.
Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses,
slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, copyrights and logos are the
exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. and its
subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the
property of their respective owners.
Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox Live, the Xbox logos, and the Xbox Live
logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.
“PlayStation,” “PLAYSTATION,” “PS” Family logo and “PSP” are registered
trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. PSP® system – Memory
Stick Duo™ may be required (sold separately).
Wii and Nintendo DS are trademarks of Nintendo.
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 release of the WWE SmackDown
vs. Raw 2010 videogame, 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, 2009, 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.
This press release may contain forward–looking statements (within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that
are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about JAKKS
Pacific's business based partly on assumptions made by its management.
These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve
risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore,
actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed
or forecasted in such statements due to numerous factors, including, but
not limited to, those described above, changes in demand for JAKKS'
products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the
impact of competitive products and pricing, and difficulties with
integrating acquired businesses. The forward-looking statements
contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and
JAKKS undertakes no obligation to update any of them to reflect events
or circumstances after the date of this release.
Source: THQ Inc.
THQ/Media Relations
Jaime Jensen, 818-871-5111
jaime.jensen@thq.com
or
THQ/Investor
Relations
Julie MacMedan, 818-871-5125
investor@thq.com
or
JAKKS
Pacific/Media Relations
Genna Rosenberg, 310-455-6235
gennar@jakks.net
or
World
Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Kevin Hennessy, 203-352-8657
kevin.hennessy@wwecorp.com
