THQ and Relic Entertainment Announce The Outfit(TM) for Xbox 360(TM)
CALABASAS HILLS, Calif., May 16: THQ Inc. (Nasdaq: THQI) and its award winning development studio Relic Entertainment today announced The OutfitTM, an explosive squad-based action game for the Xbox 360TM video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Combining intense squad-based combat and easy to use strategic gameplay elements with the cinematic intensity of a blockbuster movie, The Outfit is a lethal combination of high action and strategy. Set within war ravaged Europe during World War II, the game takes players behind enemy lines, battling the Nazi War Machine through a variety of larger than life combat missions. Scheduled to release holiday 2005, the game will make its public debut at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) May 18-20 in THQ Booth #1046.
"The Outfit is a perfect example of a title that is only possible with Xbox 360 technology," said Jack Sorensen, executive vice president of worldwide studios, THQ. "Relic's unique brand of large-scale explosive action and field-level strategy easily differentiates The Outfit from any other war title released on any system to date."
"Visceral combat experiences have always been a big part of our games at Relic," said Ron Moravek, general manager, Relic Entertainment. "The team is having a blast creating a squad-based action game that allows us to incorporate some of the strategic elements we're best known for. Delivering this level of gameplay with surround-sound and high-definition capabilities means gamers can look forward to a new level of intensity on the battlegrounds of WWII."
The Outfit allows players the option to choose from three playable squad leader personalities, each with their own specific skills and abilities. With their squad leaders, players will guide two squads of battle-forged soldiers on missions ranging from reconnaissance-and-rescue to search-and-destroy across immensely destructible battlefields. Players can switch between squads at any time and can strategically use squads separately, in tandem or as one super-unit. By engaging in combat with the enemy, players will earn action points that can be used to upgrade their arsenal, order in tanks and many other vehicles, build machinegun nests and anti-tank emplacements or call for air or artillery strikes.
Because of the versatility of Xbox 360, players can experience the cinematic intensity of WWII combat through 12 epic single-player missions or go online with Xbox Live® for a variety of multiplayer modes, including co- op. Taking gaming to the next generation as an Xbox 360 title, The Outfit is high-definition (16:9, 720pHD) with 5.1 Dolby surround-sound.
For more information on The Outfit, please visit www.theoutfitgame.com, which will launch with the game's unveiling at E3 on May 18.
About Relic Entertainment
Founded in 1997 and acquired by THQ in 2004, Relic Entertainment is a leader in the development of innovative real-time strategy games for the PC. Relic's first title, "Homeworld" (1999), was received to widespread acclaim, garnering several "Game of the Year" and "Strategy Game of the Year" awards from major industry publications including PC Gamer and Computer Gaming World. Since then, Relic has released "Homeworld: Cataclysm" (2000, co-developed with Barking Dog Studios), "Impossible Creatures" (2003), and "Homeworld 2" (2003). The studio's most recent release, "Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War" (2004), won numerous accolades including "Strategy Game of the Year" from Computer Gaming World. Today, Relic is building on this legacy by developing multiple groundbreaking PC and next-gen console projects in the RTS and action genres including "Company of Heroes", "Warhammer: 40,000: Dawn of War -- Winter Assault" and "The Outfit".
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 in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Korea and Australia. More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com and www.thqwireless.com. THQ, THQ Wireless, Relic Entertainment, "The Outfit" and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc. Dolby and the double-D symbol are trademarks of Dolby Laboratories.
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 the release and features of The Outfit, 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, services 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.