Lineup to Include Distinguished Simulation Experience in WWE(R)
SmackDown(R) vs. Raw(R)
2011, Over-the-Top Action and Impactful Style with Latest Brand
Extension, WWE(R) All Stars(TM)
and Engaging Virtual Environment for PC Players in
Korea with WWE(R) SmackDown(R)
vs. Raw(R) Online
AGOURA HILLS, Calif., Jun 14, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --THQ
Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced the company's comprehensive
lineup of World
Wrestling Entertainment(R) videogame products expected on
display at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), booth #2001 in the
South Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center, from June 15-17, 2010.
Playable on the E3 show floor, WWE(R)
SmackDown(R) vs. Raw(R)
2011, the simulation-based cornerstone of the company's WWE
videogame portfolio, will return to action with destiny-defining
moments, best-in-class creation tools and the ability for players to
have ultimate control of the WWE experience. Making its worldwide debut
at E3 and also playable on the show floor, WWE(R)
All Stars(TM)will enter the virtual ring
with an incomparable roster of WWE Legends and WWE Superstars,
over-the-top action and its own unique, impactful style. Rounding out
the portfolio, WWE(R)
SmackDown(R) vs. Raw(R)
Onlinewill showcase the action-packed online game
currently in development for the Korean market, which features a Windows
PC-based, free-to-play environment with micro-transaction capabilities.
"Through our new direct eight-year agreement and invaluable partnership
with WWE, the opportunities to bring the brand's ever-changing content
and vibrant WWE Superstar personalities to life in the videogame world
are more promising than ever," said Danny Bilson, Executive Vice
President, Core Game Brands, THQ. "Our E3 lineup of WWE products has
exceptional potential, reaching core and casual audiences with a
definitive simulation-based experience, fun, fast-paced and larger than
life action through our newest brand extension, as well as an innovative
new way to embrace WWE through our free-to-play online initiatives for
the Korean market."
Several WWE Superstars and WWE Legends are slated to attend E3 in
support of the WWE videogame portfolio. Currently scheduled appearances
include The Miz and Eve Torres on Tuesday, June 15 from 12:30 p.m. PT to
1:30 p.m. PT, Dusty Rhodes and his son, Cody Rhodes, on Wednesday, June
16 from 1:30 p.m. PT to 2:30 p.m. PT and "The Million Dollar Man" Ted
DiBiase and his son, Ted DiBiase, on Thursday, June 17 from 12:00 p.m.
to 2:00 p.m.
About WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011
Having shipped more than 50 million units worldwide, the renowned WWE
simulation experience and annual centerpiece in THQ's expanding WWE
videogame portfolio returns to define the ultimate WWE moments and give
players even greater creative and decision-making freedom throughout
their storied journeys within WWE.
WWE
SmackDown vs. Raw 2011will empower players more than
ever to define their gameplay experiences in a dynamic and ever-changing
WWE. Along the way, gameplay scenarios will change based on player
decisions, allowing for more spontaneous WWE action in and out of the
ring. Players will also enjoy a greater level of interactivity and have
increased control of their destinies in the game's popular Road to
WrestleMania story-driven mode.
A hallmark of the franchise, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 will
deliver its largest offering to date of best-in-class creation and
customization features. Players will have more creative tools than ever
to customize their WWE Superstars, finishing moves and story designs. In
addition, searching and sharing content will be greatly simplified with
improvements to the highly regarded WWE Community Creations feature,
which generated nearly 10 million downloads, including more than 7.5
million Created WWE Superstars, 500,000 story designs and 500,000
finishing moves in its franchise debut.
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 will also boast one of the largest
rosters in franchise history with more than 70 of today's prominent WWE
Superstars and Divas. Each in-game model will feature new skin textures
and movement technology, delivering the most authentic looking and
moving WWE Superstars and WWE Divas ever seen in a videogame. In
addition, a new physics system will ensure all matches and object
interactions look and feel unique, dynamic and unpredictable to capture
the full essence of the WWE experience.
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 is currently in development for the
Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft,
PlayStation(R)3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation(R)2
computer entertainment system, PSP(R) (PlayStation(R)Portable)
system and Wii(TM) video game system, with a scheduled release
date of October 26, 2010. For more information, please visit wwe.thq.com,
facebook.com/svrgame
and twitter.com/svrgame.
About WWE All Stars
The revolutionary new addition to THQ's distinguished WWE videogame
portfolio and debut release from the company's San Diego-based studio, WWE
All Starswill bridge generations of WWE enthusiasts and
casual followers alike with a fun, fresh and fast-paced experience
inside the virtual ring. Poised to deliver one of the greatest rosters
ever assembled in a wrestling-centric videogame, renowned WWE Legends
will align with today's most prominent WWE Superstars, inviting players
to generate fantasy matches and ultimately determine the greatest
competitors of all time. In addition, each WWE Legend and WWE Superstar
will boast a distinctive and highly stylized appearance, adding to the
overall atmosphere and intrepid attitude exuding from the on-screen
action.
WWE All Stars will encompass a fluid, intuitive and original
gameplay style, creating a highly competitive environment and an
engaging spectacle. Packed with high-flying, hard-hitting and
over-the-top action, players will explore a variety of responsive quick
grapples, strong grapples, standing and running attacks, as well as
combination sequences. Every WWE Legend and WWE Superstar on the
power-packed roster will be equipped with individual abilities,
signature moves and renowned finishers to create the ultimate in-ring
experience.
WWE All Stars is currently in development for the Xbox 360,
PlayStation 3 system, PlayStation 2 system, PSP system and Wii, with a
scheduled release timeframe of early 2011. For more information, please
visit wwe.thq.com.
About WWE SmackDown vs. Raw Online
Developed in partnership by THQ's Product Development Fighting Team and
Vertigo Games in Seoul, South Korea, WWE
SmackDown vs. Raw Onlineis an action-packed online game
for the Korean market on the PC platform. With significant appeal to a
more casual audience, including a free-to-play environment with
micro-transaction offerings, the game will enable players to virtually
enter and experience WWE in their own unique ways as they improve their
in-ring skills, develop charisma and compete for WWE Championships.
Players will be able to create their own WWE Superstars or select from
the in-game roster of current WWE Superstars, including John Cena, Randy
Orton, Chris Jericho and Rey Mysterio. They can also improve the
attributes of their created WWE Superstars through winning matches,
collecting rewards, unlocking items and purchasing items.
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw Online will feature a number of match
types, including Exhibition, Tag Team and Royal Rumble. In addition, a
Championship Path campaign-based mode will challenge players with a
variety of quests to achieve WWE Championships. All matches will
implement a Spectator Mode for players to observe the matches of others.
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw Online is currently scheduled for release
in Korea in early 2011. For more information, please visit www.thq.com.
About World Wrestling Entertainment,
Inc.
World
Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., a publicly traded company (NYSE:
WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in
global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses
that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global
audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly, PG
content across all of its platforms including television
programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing. WWE programming
is broadcast in more than 145 countries and 30 languages and reaches
more than 500 million homes worldwide. The company is headquartered in
Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, London,
Shanghai, Tokyo and Toronto.
Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:
WWE) can be found at corporate.wwe.com.
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.
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" is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment
Inc.
Wii is a registered trademark 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 2011, WWE All Stars and WWE SmackDown vs. Raw Online videogames,
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, 2010, 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.
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.
Forward-Looking Statements:
This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the
safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,
which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and
uncertainties include risks relating to maintaining and renewing key
agreements, including television distribution agreements; the need for
continually developing creative and entertaining programming; the
continued importance of key performers and the services of Vincent
McMahon; the conditions of the markets in which we compete; acceptance
of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets;
uncertainties relating to regulatory and litigation matters; risks
resulting from the highly competitive nature of our markets; the
importance of protecting our intellectual property and complying with
the intellectual property rights of others; risks associated with
producing live events both domestically and internationally;
uncertainties associated with international markets; risks relating to
our film business and any new business initiative which we may
undertake; risks relating to the large number of shares of common stock
controlled by members of the McMahon family; and other risks and factors
set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those
currently expected or anticipated. In addition, our dividend is
significant and is dependent on a number of factors, including, among
other things, our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow,
strategic plan (including alternative uses of capital), our financial
results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment
of dividends, general economic and competitive conditions and such other
factors as our Board of Directors may consider relevant, including a
waiver by the McMahon family of a portion of the dividends.

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
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Kevin Hennessy, 203-352-8657
kevin.hennessy@wwecorp.com