http://nz.biz.yahoo.com//080919/24/83oy.html
THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI) and JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ:JAKK) today
announced an agreement with PC-Online game developer Vertigo Games for
WWE(R) SmackDown(R) vs. Raw(R) Online (working title). Scheduled for
release in Asia in late 2010, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw Online will mark
the debut of the popular SmackDown vs. Raw franchise in the PC-online
space.
"We are pleased to bring the #1 fighting franchise, WWE SmackDown
vs. Raw, to an online format, offering gamers an immersive online
experience based on the world of the WWE," said Brian Farrell,
president and CEO of THQ. "We view the online game market as an
important driver of future growth and this new title further expands
our portfolio of great games for this exciting market."
"Now more than ever, fans can become their favorite Superstar in a
WWE virtual world of their own creation," said Nelo Lucich, senior
vice president of interactive, JAKKS Pacific. "Our entry into the
online arena allows us to reach sophisticated gamers with unique and
compelling content, engrossing fans in their own personalized WWE
world."
"We are very excited about the opportunity to work with THQ, one
of the world's leading videogame publishers, to develop the first
PC-online version of the blockbuster WWE SmackDown vs. Raw franchise,"
said Junk Kim, CEO, Vertigo Games. "We plan to deploy our deep online
technology and development experience to deliver a highly successful
SmackDown vs. Raw game in the online space."
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw Online marks THQ's fourth game in
development exclusively for the growing PC online market, following an
MMO game based on the popular Warhammer 40,000 universe, Company of
Heroes Online, and Dragonica, a casual MMO.
About WWE SmackDown vs. RAW Online
WWE SmackDown vs. RAW Online is a fighting action game that allows
players to enter the world of the WWE and play as their favorite
Superstar. Players can create their own Superstar to compete and seek
virtual wealth and fame in order to achieve the ultimate ranking in
the Hall of Fame. Offering single player and multi-player modes,
players can earn respect and points to unlock special features, items
and level up their rankings. Players can purchase additional items,
abilities and themes to enhance and personalize their Superstar in
this exciting head-to-head online wrestling experience. The game will
offer ongoing content updates and features to enhance the players'
experience as they progress through the ranks, as well as season mode.
Players will also be able to enter the lobby to challenge opponents,
shop or interact with other connected players. WWE SmackDown vs. RAW
Online provides the ultimate wrestling experience appealing to both
beginner and advanced PC-online players.
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 Vertigo
Established by experienced veterans of online game industry in
Korea, Vertigo Games, Inc. has been developing PC-online games from
2006 starting from their first title, Black Shot, a military FPS
massively online game. After merging Radio Games of the world 1st
online martial arts fighting online game, Kwonho, in 2007, Vertigo
Games has been growing with three projects including a co-development
with Chinese Our Games. Vertigo's core technology is called "Magellan
Engine" which is a proven strong platform consists of efficient and
flexible modules that can be easily integrated into an massively
online game. SmackDown vs Raw Online will be their 4th project to
date. You can visit www.vertigogames.co.kr for more detail.
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(R), Play Along(R), Flying Colors(R), Creative Designs
International(TM), Road Champs(R), Child Guidance(R), Pentech(TM),
Trendmasters(R), Toymax(R), Funnoodle(R), Go Fly a Kite(R), Color
Workshop(R), JAKKS Pets(TM), EyeClops(TM) and Plug It In & Play TV
Games(TM). JAKKS is an award-winning licensee of several hundred
nationally and internationally known trademarks including Disney(R),
Nickelodeon(R), Warner Bros.(R), World Wrestling Entertainment(R),
Ultimate Fighting Championship(R) and Cabbage Patch Kids(R). 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.
About THQ
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 and www.thqwireless.com. THQ,
THQ Wireless and their respective logos are trademarks and/or
registered trademarks of THQ Inc.
All World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. programming, talent names,
images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, and logos are the
exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. All other
trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective
owners.
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 WWE SmackDown
vs. RAW Online video game, 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 Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2008, 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. Contact: THQ/Media Relations
Jaime Jensen, 818-871-5111
jaime.jensen@thq.com
or
THQ Asia/Media Relations
Sam Park, 82 2 561 4081
sam.park@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
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