THQ was “smoking!” at San Francisco Gamer’s Day

By

Michael Lafferty

Company shows off titles slated for release early in 2005

The titles that THQ showed off at its Gamer’s
Day in San Francisco weren’t merely hot, they were “smoking” – at least
according to the San Francisco Fire Department.

The fire department responded to alarms at the
Foreign Cinema on Mission Street in San Francisco Wednesday when a smoke machine
that THQ had rigged up for the intro of the Spring lineup triggered the smoke
alarms. But the delay was only momentary, and soon media representatives were
ushered into the theatre, treated to a catered meal while Ed Wood’s Plan 9 From
Outer Space played on the screen, and 50s rock (coupled with 60s pop-rock)
blared from speakers.

Titles on display included
Constantine,
Destroy All Humans! ,
MotoGP: Ultimate Racing Technology 3
, Juiced,
WWE Wrestlemania 21,
MX versus ATV Unleashed and the PlayStation2 build of Full Spectrum Warrior. The
games were all displayed on huge screens, but the sound was basically
negligible, due to the DJ spinning the records at varying volumes, mostly
tending toward too loud.

But hands-on time was available and a few of
the developers had representatives on hand to discuss the titles with the
assembled media.

THQ’s spring
lineup looks to boast a variety of styles and platforms, holding something for
everyone. And from initial appearances, it looks as though THQ’s Spring will
blossom into good times for both the company and game players.