THQ ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF MOBILE GAME DEVELOPER UNIVERSOMO
AGOURA HILLS, CA, May 9, 2007 - THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI), today announced that it has acquired mobile game development studio Universomo Ltd. Based in Finland, Universomo has been offering a mobile game development solution for leading global game publishers since 2002. The company's proprietary game development environment and automated porting solution supports all major mobile platforms, enabling rapid and cost efficient development and porting on a worldwide basis.
"Bringing cross-platform mobile development capabilities in-house is a key component in our growth strategy," said Kelly Flock, executive vice president of worldwide publishing, THQ. "The combination of Universomo's award-winning creative development skills and their proven porting solution will enable new technology efficiencies for THQ Wireless, giving us the scalability to focus on building both our cornerstone brands and new, owned properties across Europe, Asia and North America."
"THQ's global publishing footprint and leading brand portfolio made them a natural fit for Universomo," said Markku Hakkala, Managing Director, Universomo. "The easy integration of Universomo's development and technology means that we are on track to take full advantage of continued market growth opportunities worldwide."
About Universomo
Based in Finland, the team at Universomo has been working with leading publishers since 2002, creating award-winning, top-selling games based on many of the biggest brands in the wireless space. The company's recent projects include Rollercoaster Rush, 300: The Mobile Game, LEGO Star Wars I & II and Emergency Mayhem. The first THQ Wireless titles scheduled for release following the acquisition are WWE® and Stuntman®: Ignition. Universomo's proprietary game development environment and automated porting solution supports all major wireless platforms including Brew, CDMA, GSM, Java, and others across more than 700 handsets worldwide.
About THQ Wireless
THQ Wireless Inc., a subsidiary of THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI), is a global leader in mobile entertainment, offering a wide range of wireless products, including games, personalization products, information services and messaging based on top brands such as the WWE, Star Wars and popular Nickelodeon properties. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, THQ Wireless has offices worldwide, in addition to distribution agreements through wireless carriers across the globe. Further information can be found at www.thqwireless.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 . THQ, THQ Wireless, Stuntman: Ignition and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.
For more information please contact:
Liz Pieri
THQ/ Media Relations
818/871-5061
Julie MacMedan
THQ/ Investor Relations
818/871-5125
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 integration of acquired businesses such as Universomo, 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/A 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.
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