FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wayne Teats
THQ/Media Relations
818/ 871-5156
Mary Nelson Garrett
THQ/Investor Relations
818/ 871-5090
THQ SHIPS MX 2002 FEATURING RICKY
CARMICHAEL FOR PLAYSTATION(r)2
Freestyle Insanity Meets Racing
Excitement
CALABASAS HILLS, Calif., — June 28,
2001 – THQ Inc. (NASDAQ NMS: THQI) today announced the release of MX 2002
featuring Ricky Carmichael for the PlayStation(r)2 computer entertainment
system. Developed by THQ subsidiary Pacific Coast Power & Light, the
adrenaline-pumping title features the sport”s number one rider, Ricky
Carmichael, a highly detailed freestyle mode for tricks and exploration, and an
ultra-realistic racing mode. MX 2002 featuring Ricky Carmichael is scheduled to
be on store shelves nationwide in time for the July 4th holiday.
"Ricky Carmichael is the
premiere rider in a sport that has really taken off," stated Alison Locke,
executive vice president of North American publishing, THQ. "In addition to
national race coverage regularly airing on major networks, the popularity of
motocross is due, in no small part, to the emergence of freestyle as a
spectacular visual event. This is exactly what we have captured with MX 2002
featuring Ricky Carmichael."
"It”s awesome, totally fun and
innovative. This is by far the most advanced motocross video game, with
realistic graphics and bike control. I”m proud to be involved with it,"
said five-time national champion, Ricky Carmichael. "THQ has really
captured the essence of motocross."
"We are very excited about the
new physics engine we created for MX 2002 featuring Ricky Carmichael," said
Don Traeger, president, Pacific Coast Power & Light. "Not only does
this game have an extensive racing mode, but it has every wicked trick in the
sport. Players will feel every bump on the track, while controlling the clutch
and bike speed to pull off real tricks including stoppies, wheelies, back-flips,
360”s and many more."
MX 2002 featuring Ricky Carmichael,
the latest installment in THQ”s motocross series, is being backed by a
multi-million dollar marketing campaign and has already been receiving high
praise from the video game press, including:
"…the best moto-cross game a
Sony system has seen." – Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine
"…competitors will have their
hands full trying to keep up. Chalk this one up on the must-have list."
-PS2.IGN.com
Marketing highlights for MX 2002
Featuring Ricky Carmichael include:
* Network and cable television
campaign on ESPN, ESPN2, MTV, Fox Sports Net, Fox, E!, UPN, TNN and Speedvision,
targeted toward gamers and motocross enthusiasts.
* THQ sponsorship of high profile
motocross and freestyle events, including the THQ US Open, Outdoor Nationals of
Motocross, Xgames Qualifiers Moto X Freeride Series and Loretta Lynn”s Amateur
National Championships.
* An aggressive five month national
print campaign in consumer, gaming and motocross publications.
* On-location event marketing and
product sampling at high profile venues.
* Extensive direct mail campaign
featuring interactive demos, product information and consumer sweepstakes.
* Cross promotions with mass market
and grassroot companies that include product inserts, hang tags, kiosk sampling
and more.
The robust freestyle mode is one of
the main aspects that separates MX 2002 featuring Ricky Carmichael from every
other racing title. Players are able to explore the open terrain without limits
or restrictions. Secret areas and death-defying tricks play a large role here.
Gamers will also appreciate highly detailed graphics, which include long,
detailed sightlines completely void of pop-up or fogging. MX 2002 featuring
Ricky Carmichael was developed using RenderWare Graphics, the middleware
solution from Criterion Software.
Included in the game”s 30-rider
roster are some of the flashiest freestyle professionals. Gamers can perform
tricks and combos with freestylers like Carey Hart, Trevor Vines and Mike Jones.
The top names in racing are also well represented, with riders like Ricky
Carmichael, Mike LaRocco and Kevin Windham. All of this is showcased on
officially licensed events and tracks, constructed from actual satellite data
for an unprecedented level of realism.
About Ricky Carmichael In 1998,
Ricky Carmichael was the first rider in history to win every race in the 125cc
Supercross Series, winning the Eastern Regional title and the East-West
Shoot-Out in Las Vegas. Since turning professional in 1996, Carmichael has five
National Championships to his credit. He has dominated the 125cc class like no
other rider in the history of the sport and this past season clinched both the
250cc class Outdoor National title and 2001 Supercross Series Championship.
About THQ THQ Inc. develops,
publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software worldwide for a
variety of hardware platforms including PC CD-ROM, wireless devices, and those
manufactured by Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft. The THQ web site is located at
www.thq.com. # # #
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This press release contains
statements that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current
expectations, estimates and projections about the Company”s business based, in
part, on assumptions made by 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 forward-looking
statements due to numerous factors, including, but not limited to, those
described above and the following: changes in demand for the Company”s
products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the impact
of competitive products and pricing and difficulties encountered in the
integration of acquired businesses. In addition, such statements could be
affected by growth rates and market conditions relating to the interactive
software industry and general domestic and international economic conditions.
Specific information concerning these and other such factors is contained in the
Company”s most recent report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities Exchange
Commission on November 13, 2000. A copy of this filing may be obtained by
contacting the Company or the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained
herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company does
not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect
events or circumstances after the date of this release.
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