LEADING GAME PUBLISHER THQ
UNVEILS BLOCKBUSTER LINE UP AT 2002 ELECTRONIC ENTERTAINMENT EXPO
From Original Games to Licensed
Content, From Game Boy Advance to Xbox—Leading Game Publisher Showcases Software
for Every Audience and Every Platform
Los Angeles, Calif. – Electronic
Entertainment Expo – May 20, 2002 THQ Inc. (NASDAQ NMS: THQI) is set to debut
its 2002 product line up, its strongest and most diverse to date, at the
Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles May 22-24, 2002. The company
will unveil games in all genres across multiple platforms for every type of
videogame fan. From original content like Red Faction™II, Alter Echo™, and Tak
and The Power of JuJu™, to the most expansive mass-market kids product portfolio
in the industry, featuring favorite television, music and motion picture
characters like SpongeBob SquarePants, Scooby-Doo!, World Wrestling
Entertainment™ and Britney Spears, THQ has something for everyone. All viable
game platforms will be represented in the THQ booth (Petree Hall #4001),
including the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system, Xbox™, Nintendo
GameCube™ and Game Boy Advance, and PC/Mac. In addition, THQ Wireless will
demonstrate several new games on the latest mobile devices.
“This year marks the beginning of
the broad, mass-market adoption of PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Nintendo’s GameCube
and Game Boy Advance, with more than 35 million of these systems projected to be
in U.S. households by holiday,” said Brian Farrell, president and CEO of THQ.
“THQ has been building its portfolio of brands with broad consumer appeal for
the past five years in order to take best advantage of the explosive growth of
these hardware systems in the marketplace. Our games target every segment of the
market with original titles like Red Faction II, Alter Echo, and Summoner 2, as
well as compelling licensed products such as Britney’s Dance Beat, Tetris and
games based on popular Nickelodeon, Mattel, and Disney properties.”
THQ’s E3 2002 Line-up
Alter Echo™ – Alter Echo
features innovative action gameplay and a groundbreaking visual style based on
pioneering technology. In Alter Echo, players assume the role of Nevin, a
reluctant hero with the ability to alter time and morph his PolySuit between
three unique combat forms. TimeDilation™ technology allows players to manipulate
time, freezing the action in order to cue up a series of moves and attacks to
unleash with an unstoppable flurry. Developed by THQ’s Outrage® Games, Alter
Echo will be available for PlayStation 2 and Xbox early in 2003.
BattleBots – BattleBots is
based on the popular, adrenaline-pumping TV show of the same name, pitting
contestant-designed, radio-controlled robots against each other inside a
high-tech arena equipped with hazardous obstacles such as kill saws and giant
sledgehammers. Available this fall for GameCube and PlayStation 2.
Bob the Builder: Bob Builds a
Park – Bob the Builder’s newest videogame is based on the preschool TV show
hit phenomenon Bob the Builder, airing on Nick Jr. and CBS. In Bob the Builder:
Bob Builds a Park, players are engaged in a brand new set of activities such as
crazy golf, dinosaur discovery, and skateboard spud. The game will be available
for PC this fall.
Britney’s Dance Beat™ –
Britney’s Dance Beat is a true convergence product, broadening the definition of
entertainment on videogame consoles. It allows fans to interact with today’s
hottest pop star and her music, dance through engaging gameplay backed by music
videos, and earn access to DVD content such as interview clips,
behind-the-scenes footage and 360-degree immersive video. Gamers go through a
series of auditions to become a back-up dancer and if they perform well, they
join Britney Spears on stage. Available now for Game Boy Advance and PlayStation
2, and coming for the PC in June.
Disney/Pixar’s Monsters, Inc.
Scream Arena (working title) – Now that the monsters of Monstropolis have
learned the power of laughter, they’re ready to have some fun in Disney/Pixar’s
Monsters, Inc. Players will compete as one of their beloved monsters in a unique
dodge ball-style match set in movie-inspired stadium arenas filled with kids
ready to be entertained. With the use of special “laugh balls,” each with their
own unique attack, players battle it out to be the first to fill their laugh
canisters with kids laughter. Available this fall for GameCube.
Evil Dead: A Fistful of Boomstick
– Developed with the full support of creators Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert, and
Bruce Campbell, Evil Dead: A Fistful of Boomstick allows players to assume the
role of Ash, the chainsaw-armed hero from the Evil Dead movie trilogy. Players
will fend off hordes of Deadites with several weapons including the shovel,
gatling gun, shotgun and chainsaw. Evil Dead: A Fistful of Boomstick mixes the
comedy and fun of a campy horror movie with intense combat missions on the
PlayStation 2 and Xbox early next year.
GT Advance 2: Rally Racing –
GT Advance 2: Rally Racing is the sequel to the GBA launch hit, GT Advance:
Championship Racing. Choose from 15 of the world’s top rally cars, each with
different handling, speed, and acceleration on 42 unique tracks spanning the
globe with varying weather conditions. GT Advance 2: Rally Racing will be
available this June exclusively on Game Boy Advance.
Mattel Licensed Products:
• Hot Wheels Velocity X –
Hot Wheels Velocity X is a high speed, mission-based racing adventure inspired
by the attitude of Hot Wheels. When a criminal gang of street racing villains
overtakes Monument City, players must put their driving skills and mean street
machines to the ultimate test. Hot Wheels Velocity X will be available on
PlayStation 2, GameCube, PC and Game Boy Advance this fall.
• Hot Wheels Bash Arena – Hot
Wheels Bash Arena for PC challenges players to dodge and crash into opponents
with performance-varied Hot Wheels cars in a last-car-standing, interactive
demolition derby-style competition. As players advance through the Bash Arena
championship, they work toward the goal of induction into the Hot Wheels Bash
Arena Hall of Fame. Hot Wheels Bash Arena for PC will be available this fall.
• Matchbox Cross Town Heroes –
Matchbox Cross Town Heroes takes place in a dynamic interactive world in
which players take the wheel and courageously drive Matchbox Search and Rescue
vehicles into the heart of the emergency action. Each world will also have bonus
mini games and puzzles, along with more than 50 different characters, animals
and creatures. Matchbox Cross Town Heroes for Game Boy Advance and PC is
scheduled for release in summer 2002.
MotoGP – MotoGP is the
world’s fastest, most advanced form of motorcycle racing. With races taking
place on all five continents and an average of 329 million television viewers
per event, MotoGP features all of the world’s leading motorcycle manufacturers
including Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha. MotoGP is available now on the Xbox and Game
Boy Advance.
MX Superfly featuring Ricky
Carmichael – The next installment of THQ’s MX series is the most complete
motocross game to date. Along with the return of eight-time National Champion
Ricky Carmichael and other pro riders, this year’s edition boasts an enhanced
freestyle mode, a robust racing mode and wide-open worlds for gamers to explore.
Developed by THQ’s Pacific Coast Power & Light Co. studio, MX Superfly
featuring Ricky Carmichael will be available for GameCube and PlayStation 2 this
summer followed by an Xbox release in winter.
Nickelodeon Licensed Products:
• Fairly OddParents (Working
Title) – Timmy Turner has one thing most other kids don’t — magical, mystical
and totally messed-up Fairy Godparents that offer wacky help to get him out of
tight spots. Gamers can play as Timmy’s secret comic book identity, “Cleft, The
Boy Chin Wonder," in this action adventure side-scrolling game with five huge
environments and 20 different stages. Fairly OddParents for Game Boy Advance
will be available this fall.
• Hey Arnold! The Movie –
Based on Nickelodeon Movies’ and Paramount Pictures’ upcoming animated movie
debuting June 28, and Nickelodeon’s Hey Arnold! animated series, players assume
the role of Arnold, Gerald, Grandma, or Grandpa as they rally friends and
relatives to stop an unsavory businessman from tearing down their neighborhood
to build a Super Beeper Emporium. Hey Arnold! The Movie for Game Boy Advance
will be available this summer.
• Jimmy Neutron vs. Jimmy
Negatron – This adventure is based on the Nickelodeon television series
debuting this fall and introduces players to Jimmy Neutron’s evil alter ego,
Jimmy Negatron. During a trip to the Retroville Museum, Jimmy is kidnapped and
trapped in his alter ego’s dimension and must use his wits to escape. Available
for PC and Game Boy Advance this fall.
• Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius –
Jimmy Neutron Boy Genius is based on the adventures of Jimmy Neutron, star of
Paramount Pictures’ and Nickelodeon Movies’ highly successful, digitally
animated motion picture. Players will help save the world and rescue the parents
of Retroville from the evil Yokians. Available for GameCube this summer.
• Rocket Power™: Beach Bandits –
The Rocket Power team must use their extreme sports skills to battle robot
minions throughout Ocean Shores, the Lakes, the Robot Factory and Mondo Mountain
in order to find out who’s stealing the sand from Ocean Shores beach. Available
for PlayStation 2, GameCube and Game Boy Advance this summer.
• Rugrats™: Munchin Land
(working title) – Gamers join the Rugrats in the “land of odd”. Tommy and
company are featured in their very own graphical board game based on the classic
story, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Characters include Kimi as “the girl from
Kansas”, Chuckie the “Scaredy-Cat Lion,” Tommy as “The Scarecrow” and Phil & Lil
as “The Tin Twins.” The first one to find the “Whizzer of Odd” (Grandpa Lou)
wins the game, but beware…there are many obstacles standing in your way
including “The Munchin’ Tollbooth Keeper” (Dil) and the “Wicked Witch of the
West” (Angelica). Luckily, the “Good Witch” (Susie) will always be around to
provide you with all the help that you may need. Available for PC this summer.
• Rugrats™: I Gotta Go Party
– Get ready for an all-new multi-player party game as Tommy plays hide ‘n seek
with all of his friends. As players help Tommy find the other Rugrats, they
unlock outrageous party games such as Angelica’s Cookies, Phil’s Mud Pies and
Sandbox Blues. The more Rugrats that are found, the more party games become
unlocked. Designed for multiplayer competition, this game is also packed with
hours of compelling single-player gameplay for gamers on the go! Available this
fall for Game Boy Advance.
• Rugrats™: Royal Ransom –
The Rugrats embark on a magical adventure to Stu Pickles’ Play Palace 3000
(PP3K). As Tommy, Chuckie, Kimi, Phil and Lil take turns climbing up to the
PP3K, they find that something’s amiss. Every time they climb higher, the PP3K
moves farther out of their reach. Angelica, the self-appointed Queen of the
PP3K, has dubbed the rest of the Rugrats her loyal subjects and stolen their
most treasured items. As the other Rugrats defiantly refuse her demands, they
must go on an adventure to reclaim their treasures so they too can play in the
PP3K. Available for GameCube and PlayStation 2 this fall.
• SpongeBob SquarePants™:
Employee of the Month – Players will follow SpongeBob and his regular cast
of characters through a puzzling adventure that has them serving up Krabby
Patties, destroying a Weather Controlling Thingamajig, exploring the caves of a
powerful "Marlin," hanging at the local diner and more — just so they can have
a fun packed day at Neptune’s Pacific Paradise. Available for PC this fall.
• SpongeBob SquarePants™: Revenge
of the Flying Dutchman – This title pits SpongeBob against the Flying
Dutchman, whom he accidentally releases from imprisonment. SpongeBob must find
lost treasures hidden throughout Bikini Bottom to stop the Dutchman’s wicked
plans and save his friends from being turned into indentured shipmates.
Available for PlayStation 2, GameCube and Game Boy Advance this fall.
• The Wild Thornberrys™ Movie
– Based on the motion picture debuting holiday 2002, the game stars Eliza
Thornberry and her adventurous family. After an incident in Africa puts Eliza in
grave danger, she is sent off to boarding school in London. Upon hearing about
an evil plot by poachers to capture the wild animals of the Serengeti, she
escapes back to the wild and forces her biggest challenge yet! Available for PC
and Game Boy Advance this fall.
Pride FC™ – Experience the
most brutal, bitterly competitive and intense form of fighting on the planet.
Organized to incorporate all fighting styles including wrestling, karate, judo
and kickboxing, Pride FC pits the top fighters in the world in the most
realistic “mixed Martial Arts” fighting experience ever created. Created by
acclaimed fighting developer Anchor, Pride FC will be available this August
exclusively for PlayStation 2.
Power Rangers Wild Force™ –
Young gamers will play as their favorite Power Ranger, this time armed with the
strength and characteristics of the Power Animals including the Bison, Tiger,
Shark, Eagle and Lion. The top-down, 3D exploration adventure allows players to
take on the Org, an ancient race of villains who are out to destroy the balance
of nature. Power Rangers Wild Force for Game Boy Advance will be available this
fall.
Red Faction™ 2 – Developed by
THQ’s Volition™, Red Faction 2 is the sequel to one of the best-selling and most
critically acclaimed original game franchises of 2001. Featuring an enhanced
Geo-Mod™ engine that allows players to strategically alter and destroy the game
environment in real-time, Red Faction 2 builds upon the experience and
technology of the original game with more blistering action, highly detailed
graphics, new multi-player options and an engaging storyline. Red Faction 2 will
be available this winter exclusively for PlayStation 2.
SEGA Game Boy Advance Titles:
• ALTERED BEAST™: GUARDIAN OF THE
REALMS™ – ALTERED BEAST: GUARDIAN OF THE REALMS is based on the SEGA arcade
classic where players morph into a variety of beasts to battle enemies and
bosses via hand-to-hand combat and magical attacks. This Sega classic will be
available this winter.
• PHANTASY STAR COLLECTION™ –
An RPG gamer’s ultimate dream. This title brings together the original three
Phantasy Star titles in one package for early 2003.
• THE PINBALL OF THE DEAD™ –
Inspired by SEGA’s popular House of the Dead franchise, THE PINBALL OF THE DEAD
challenges you to shoot, tilt, and flip your way across 3 boards in order to
rescue citizens and destroy zombies. Each board features 3-tiers packed with
challenges, hidden horrors, and vile bosses. Scheduled to ship in June.
• SEGA SMASH PACK™ – SEGA
SMASH PACK includes three of the greatest SEGA games together on one cartridge,
Ecco the Dolphin, Golden Axe and Sonic Spinball. Scheduled to ship this summer.
• SUPER MONKEY BALL™(working
title) – SUPER MONKEY BALL for Game Boy Advance is based on the recent GameCube
hit. Players can try their hands at navigating a series of floor-shifting
puzzles or play party games. Up to four players can compete when SUPER MONKEY
BALL ships in early 2003.
• THE REVENGE OF SHINOBI™ –
An action-packed side-scroller based on the SEGA classic, THE REVENGE OF SHINOBI
immerses players in a feudal Japanese world where they must employ their Ninja
skills to recapture five legendary swords. THE REVENGE OF SHINOBI will be
available this fall.
• VIRTUA TENNIS™ – VIRTUA
TENNIS on the Game Boy Advance follows the easy-to-play, addictive style of its
SEGA Dreamcast™ counterpart. The game puts up to four players at the net in
Tournament and Exhibition matches or lets Game Boy Advance owners train their
own player in World Circuit mode. This exciting sports game will be available
this fall.
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron™
– Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron is a mission-based adventure that
transports players to the grandeur, wonder, and romance of the old West. After a
sudden thunderstorm scatters a herd of majestic mustangs, the player must find
and return the horses to their homeland, one by one. Players will experience a
range of action, from the mild nurturing of the horses, to the breathtaking
races against other animals through rugged terrain and over challenging
obstacles. Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron will be available exclusively for
the Game Boy Advance this summer.
Star Wars Episode II Attack of
the Clones – Attack of the Clones for the Game Boy Advance is the first Star
Wars: Episode II game that follows the movie storyline of the latest prequel in
the Star Wars saga. With the power of the Force, players assume the role of
three different Attack of the Clones heroes: Anakin Skywalker, Mace Windu and
Obi-Wan Kenobi this June.
Star Wars: Episode II The New
Droid Army (working title) – Set in the Episode II universe, players take on
the role of Anakin Skywalker as he tries to stop Count Dooku and his new droid
army. With scores of droids on his heels, Anakin must go to battle, cultivating
his power of the Force with each conquest. Players will be able put their Jedi
skills to the test in both single and multi-player battles this winter for Game
Boy Advance.
Summoner 2 – A role-playing
fantasy epic from THQ’s Volition studio, Summoner 2 carries on the unique
universe seen in the original – new fascinating characters, mystifying spells,
and an engaging storyline. Exclusively for PlayStation® 2, Summoner 2 will be
available this fall.
The Ripping Friends™ – The
evil Citrasett is challenging the world’s most manly men to a climatic final
battle to decide the fate of earth! Players can control four different
characters, each with their own special moves, to battle evil bosses and an
array of minions through seven huge levels and additional sub-levels. The
Ripping Friends, based on the hit TV series, will be available for Game Boy
Advance this fall.
Tetris Worlds™ – The latest
rendition of one of the most popular video game franchises ever created, Tetris
Worlds places the player in a universe where Tetris is played in different ways
on seven different planets. Players can test their skills in classic versions of
Tetris, or the latest cutting-edge variations, such as Hot-Line Tetris, Cascade
Tetris and Fusion Tetris. The multiplayer game lets up to four players, see who
can clear levels the fastest. The franchise continues on the GameCube and Xbox
this fall.
Toxic Grind™ – This first
mission-based BMX game with a storyline will enthrall gamers as they attempt to
ride for their life in a game show of death. Traverse through dynamic,
hazard-filled environments while completing objectives such as saving prisoners
and destroying helicopters. Toxic Grind will be available for Xbox in the second
half of 2002 and the GameCube version will be released in early 2003.
Warner Bros. Licensed Products:
• Scooby-Doo! Night of 100
Frights – Scooby-Doo! Night of 100 Frights combines the classic Scooby-Doo!
cartoon characters of Mystery, Inc. (Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, and Scooby)
with captivating gameplay. Only Scooby-Doo can save his friends when a dubious
Mastermind kidnaps the gang with sinister plans for their fate. Scooby-Doo!
Night of 100 Frights is available now for PlayStation 2, and will be available
for GameCube this fall.
• Scooby-Doo& The Motion
Picture – Scooby-Doo! The Movie for Game Boy Advance brings the big screen
adventures of the mystery-solving teenagers to gamers on the go. Players will
explore exotic locations inspired by the movie, searching for clues to complete
missions and ultimately, solve Spooky Island’s big mystery. Scooby-Doo! The
Movie for Game Boy Advance will be available this June.
World Wrestling Entertainment
Licensed Products:
• WWE WrestleMania® X8 – No
other event in the history of wrestling has seen more legendary match-ups and
classic championship battles that have forever changed the face of wrestling.
Now players will relive the rich history surrounding WrestleMania and compete
for championship glory as they choose from more than 35 Superstars in a host of
venues and match types including death-defying TLC matches or legendary Hell in
a Cell match-ups. WWE WrestleMania X8 is scheduled to ship June exclusively for
GameCube.
• WWE Road to WrestleMania® X8
– Amazing graphics and highly detailed characters return to the Game Boy
Advance this holiday season. Players will be able to choose from 16 Superstars
as they compete in various customizable Pay-Per-Views match-ups.
• WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth
– The next installment in the top-selling PlayStation 2 franchise is back this
fall with a blown out career mode featuring an all new draft feature, an updated
roster, better than ever graphics, revamped control system, in-depth
Create-A-Wrestler, and a more robust season mode. Exclusive to the PlayStation
2, WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth will be available this fall.
• WWE Raw 2 – Prepare for
stunning graphics and insane action as WWE Raw returns to Xbox in the first half
of 2003 with an all new season mode, more Superstars, improved gameplay, and
more matches that makes WWE Raw 2 the definitive video gaming experience for
Xbox.
• WWE Raw PC – WWE Raw makes
its debut on the PC with all the bedlam that is World Wrestling Entertainment.
It’s no holds barred wrestling, looking better than ever on the PC for holiday
2002.
• WWE Crush Hour – The
spectacle of World Wrestling Entertainment meets the whole-knuckle action of car
combat! That’s what WWE Crush Hour is all about. Choose from more than 20
personalized Superstar vehicles and compete in multiple match types as players
annihilate opponents with various weapons customized for each vehicle. WWE Crush
Hour will be available the first half of 2003 for PlayStation 2 GameCube and
Xbox.
For more information on the 2002
videogame lineup, or the rest of THQ’s offerings, visit
www.thq.com.
About THQ
THQ Inc. develops and publishes
interactive entertainment software worldwide for a variety of hardware platforms
including PC CD-ROM, wireless devices and those manufactured by Sony Computer
Entertainment America Inc., Microsoft and Nintendo. The THQ web site is located
at www.thq.com.
# # #
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 THQ’s business based, in part, on
assumptions made by its management. These statements are not guarantees of THQ’s
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 THQ’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 THQ’s Registration Statement on
Form S-3 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 22,
2002. A copy of this filing may be obtained by contacting THQ or the SEC. The
forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which
they are made, and THQ does not undertake any obligation to update any
forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of
this release.
