Move Out! THQ Announces Highly Celebrated Tactical-Action Game Full Spectrum Warrior(TM) for PlayStation 2
CALABASAS HILLS, Calif., Nov 23, 2004 - THQ® Inc. (Nasdaq: THQI) today announced the development of Full Spectrum WarriorTM for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system. Developed through a collaborative effort between Pandemic Studios and Mass Media, the game's innovative design, complex artificial intelligence (A.I.) and advanced graphical prowess has been successfully transitioned to the PlayStation 2, pushing the hardware to its limits. Full Spectrum Warrior is scheduled to ship worldwide in early 2005.
Receiving wide critical acclaim, Full Spectrum Warrior is an original, tactical-action military game that enables players to experience the gritty realism and intensity of urban combat. To accomplish its unique level of authenticity, the game incorporates some of the most sophisticated A.I. ever achieved in a video game.
As a Squad Leader, players command and coordinate the actions of two infantry fire teams maneuvering through an urban warzone. An intuitive control system allows players to lead eight soldiers in a real-time struggle to outthink, outmaneuver and outgun the enemy through 13 levels of intense combat.
"Even though FSW was first developed only for the Xbox and PC, we were eager to see what could be done with this amazing game on the PS2," said Josh Resnick, president of Pandemic Studios. "Mass Media has really stepped up and done an incredible job translating the experience of FSW to another great platform and has offered a remarkable demonstration of what can be accomplished with PlayStation 2 technology."
"Full Spectrum Warrior is a pioneer of today's trend of developing authentic military games based on genuine military doctrine and advanced A.I.," said David Todd, president and CEO of Mass Media. "We're very proud to be associated with the brand and have an opportunity to bring this truly innovative and immersive game play to the PlayStation 2."
Based on a light infantry-training simulator designed by Pandemic Studios for the U.S. Army as a tool to reinforce Army combat doctrine and squad tactics among troops*, Full Spectrum Warrior combines squad-based combat and real-time tactical-action.
Praise for Full Spectrum Warrior for the Xbox ...
"You will literally lock yourself away for hours at a time when sitting down to play this game, it is so in-depth and such a joy to play that it is hard to drag yourself away from it."
Gamers Europe (7/5/04)
"If you want to see the future of strategy games on consoles, look no further than Full Spectrum Warrior."
Game Daily (6/8/04)
"Full Spectrum Warrior is truly a breed apart." (Editor's Choice)
TeamXbox (6/4/04)
For more information on Full Spectrum Warrior PC, please visit www.fullspectrumwarrior.com.
About Pandemic Studios
Pandemic Studios consistently delivers outstanding entertainment for PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, and the PC. Over the last six years, industry veterans Josh Resnick and Andrew Goldman have steadily built the company into one of the largest independent developers in the world, with studios in Los Angeles, California and in Brisbane, Australia. An established reputation for releasing the highest quality entertainment and cutting edge original content has allowed Pandemic to work with major licenses, recruit the world's best development talent, and cultivate strong relationships with the industry's leading publishers. Pandemic's creations have earned numerous awards and accolades for their graphical expression, technological innovation, and compelling gameplay.
About Mass Media
Mass Media, Inc. is a premier Southern California independent developer. With over 10 successful years of developing games for virtually every piece of hardware on the planet, Mass Media is known for getting difficult jobs done in a timely fashion.
About THQ
THQ® Inc. is a leading, worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for a variety of hardware platforms including PC CD-ROM, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., Nintendo and Microsoft. The THQ web site is located at www.thq.com. THQ and the THQ logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.
*The Full Spectrum Warrior game is not sponsored or endorsed by the United States Army.
This press release may contain "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 Full Spectrum Warrior, and are based upon management's 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 economic, competitive and technological factors affecting the operations, markets, products, and pricing of THQ. 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 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 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2004, and particularly the discussion of risk factors that may affect results of operations set forth therein. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward- looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.
For further information please contact: Tom Stratton, Media Relations, +1-818-871-8503, or Julie MacMedan, Investor Relations, +1-818-871-5090, both of THQ Inc.