THQ Announces MotoGP '06 to Race Home This Summer
May 2006 Date Set for Intensely Realistic Xbox 360 Racer to Hit the Streets
AGOURA HILLS, Calif., Feb. 3: THQ Inc. (Nasdaq: THQI) today announced MotoGP '06 for the Xbox 360TM video game and entertainment system from Microsoft® is scheduled to release in May 2006. Presenting an unprecedented level of realism and sense of speed, this latest addition to the critically acclaimed MotoGP franchise also incorporates the very latest 2006 race season information to create the most up-to-date and intensely realistic racing game on the Xbox 360.
"It's exciting for us to present Xbox 360 owners with the most exhilarating racing experience available and one that genuinely raises the bar of photorealistic gaming," said Pete Murphy, Global Brand Manager, THQ Inc. "The developer, Climax, has combined an unprecedented level of detail, sense of speed, and the very latest MotoGP season content to create a game that will appeal to MotoGP fans as well as those gamers craving the most thrilling racing experience on Xbox 360."
"The powerful technology within the Xbox 360 has enabled us to create visual effects that surpass anything that we've seen in the racing genre to-date," stated Jason Avent, Game Director, Climax. "The latest addition to our MotoGP franchise has seen a unique implementation of depth of field within the graphics engine that allows us to simulate different focal lengths. We're extremely proud of the fact that ultimately, the screenshots will speak for themselves!"
Visit www.motogpthegame.com/motogp06 for the latest game media.
Licensed from Dorna Sports, MotoGP '06 is the latest in THQ's highly successful MotoGP franchise which has shipped in excess of 1.5 million units world-wide, including such critically-acclaimed titles as MotoGP URT 3.
In addition, THQ Wireless Inc., a subsidiary of THQ Inc., announced a series of MotoGP wireless products scheduled to launch throughout 2006. MotoGP 3 sets the graphical bench-mark for racing games on mobile phones and accompanying this is MotoGP Manager, a comprehensive racing management title. The full range of MotoGP wireless products are top sellers for THQ and will be made available with major operators globally, together with a suite of officially licensed MotoGP mobile personalisation images.
About Xbox and Xbox 360
Microsoft revolutionized the gaming industry with the November 2001 launch of Xbox® (http://www.xbox.com), its first-generation video games and entertainment system, now sold in 26 countries around the world. Microsoft introduced its next-generation system, Xbox 360, in the 2005 holiday season in Europe, Japan and North America, to be followed by availability in Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan this year. Xbox 360 is the most powerful video game and entertainment system, delivering the best games, the next generation of the premier Xbox Live online gaming service, and unique digital entertainment experiences that revolve around you.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
About Dorna
Dorna Sports is an international sports management, marketing and television company founded in 1988, with headquarters in Madrid, Spain, and branch offices in Barcelona, London and Tokyo. Dorna is dedicated to the organisation, production and marketing of major international motor sports events. It has been the exclusive holder of all commercial and TV rights to MotoGP since 1992 and is also involved in organising the FIM World Supercross GP, the Spanish National Championship (CEV) and the British Superbike Championship. The official MotoGP website is located at http://www.motogp.com.
About Climax
Founded in 1988 by Karl Jeffery, Climax Group Inc. has grown to become the world's leading independent video game developer. At the cutting edge of the games industry, Climax develops technologically advanced and critically acclaimed interactive games software for all major console platforms. The company works with major worldwide publishers such as Microsoft, SCEA, Buena Vista Games and THQ to create such hit titles as ATV Offroad Fury 3, Sudeki and the Moto GP series on Xbox and PC.
Climax is headquartered in Los Angeles. Additional information on Climax is available at www.climaxgroup.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.
Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox Live, the Xbox logos, and the Xbox Live logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.
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 MotoGP '06 on Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, 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, 2005, 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.