Gamers Get 'Made' With THQ's The Sopranos(R): Road to Respect(TM) for the PlayStation(R)2 Computer Entertainment System
The First Video Game Based on the Award-Winning HBO(R) Series Comes to Life Through Collaboration with Show Creator David Chase and Participation By Key Cast Members
AGOURA HILLS, Calif., Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- THQ Inc. (Nasdaq: THQI) today announced that The Sopranos: Road to Respect for the PlayStation ® 2 computer entertainment system has shipped to retailers throughout North America. The game brings to life the Golden Globe, Peabody and Emmy ® -award winning HBO series as one of television's favorite families makes its video game debut, complete with voiceover work by key cast members and a storyline collaborated with show creator David Chase. The Sopranos: Road to Respect is rated "M" for Mature and is available for the suggested retail price of $39.99. A special limited edition with bonus features is also available for the suggested retail price of $49.99.
"The Sopranos: Road to Respect embodies the strengths and idiosyncrasies of the critically acclaimed television series to faithfully recreate the Sopranos world in an interactive entertainment format," said Kelly Flock, executive vice president of Worldwide Publishing, THQ. "With familiar locations, interactions with key family members and many ways to assert physical and verbal intimidation, players will tap into the true backbone of the show as they earn their stripes working for Tony Soprano's crew."
"The Sopranos has redefined crime genre television and captured the hearts of viewers everywhere," said Carmi Zlotnik, executive vice president of New Media Programming Group, HBO. "We are pleased to break new ground with The Sopranos: Road to Respect in order to give fans of the series and gamers alike the opportunity to experience The Sopranos in a brand new way."
About The Sopranos: Road to Respect Video Game
The Sopranos: Road to Respect delivers a unique storyline collaborated with show creator David Chase and voiced by several key cast members, including James Gandolfini, Michael Imperioli, Steven Van Zandt, Tony Sirico, Vincent Pastore, Joe Gannascoli and Robert Iler. In the game, a mob war is brewing after the murder of the Philadelphia boss' nephew, and the Sopranos crew has been named the culprit. Playing as Joey LaRocca, the illegitimate son of the late Sal "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero, players have an opportunity to demonstrate their loyalty to Tony Soprano and become a "made" man by moving up within the ranks of his organization. They carry out orders in familiar locations like the Bada Bing!, Satriale's and Nuovo Vesuvio's, gamble in high stakes poker and report to Paulie, Silvio, Christopher and Vito as they seek admiration and family respect. A deep visceral combat system adds a variety of brutal attacks, and each environment allows ordinary objects to become weapons. Players can also impact storylines in real time by being confrontational or keeping their cool when verbally intimidating others. The Sopranos: Road to Respect limited edition includes an exclusive "making of the game" DVD that gives viewers a behind the scenes look at game development, actor interviews, voiceover recordings, location shoots and more. The collector's edition also includes a commemorative booklet and limited edition poster.
About The Sopranos Television Series
HBO's critically acclaimed series The Sopranos stars three-time Emmy ® - winners James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano, a modern-day mob boss, and Edie Falco as Tony's wife Carmela, plus Lorraine Bracco as therapist Dr. Jennifer Melfi, Emmy ® -winner Michael Imperioli as Tony's nephew Christopher Moltisanti, and Dominic Chianese as Uncle Junior. Other regulars include Robert Iler as Anthony Soprano, Jr., Jamie-Lynn Sigler as Meadow Soprano, Tony Sirico as Paulie Walnuts and Steven Van Zandt as Silvio Dante. The Sopranos is a production of HBO Original Programming, Brad Grey Television and Chase Films.
About Home Box Office, Inc.
Home Box Office, Inc. is the premium television-programming subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., providing two 24-hour premium television services, HBO and Cinemax. Together, both networks reach approximately 40 million subscribers in the United States via cable and satellite delivery. Home Box Office's international joint ventures bring HBO branded services to more than 50 countries across the globe.
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 and www.thqwireless.com. THQ, THQ Wireless and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.
HBO ® , THE SOPRANOS ® and Road to Respect TM are trademarks of Home Box Office, Inc.
"PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
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 Sopranos: Road to Respect video game for PlayStation 2, 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, 2006, 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.