THQ Announces Multi-Title Deal With SimBin
THQ to Bring Acclaimed Racing Franchise GTR to Xbox 360
AGOURA HILLS, Calif., May 1, 2006: THQ Inc.
(Nasdaq: THQI) today announced a multi-title deal that will
see the award-winning GTR franchise racing to the Xbox
360TM video
game and entertainment system from Microsoft. Crafted by
award-winning Swedish development studio SimBin Development
Team AB, GTR features all the cars, drivers and tracks from
two full FIA GT Championships and challenges casual racers to
become world-class drivers. Directed by professional racing
driver and former FIA GT Team Owner, Henrik Roos, GTR sets
new standards for racing realism on console. GTR is expected
to ship globally on Xbox 360 in spring 2007.
"We're excited to be working with one of the foremost
European developers to bring a truly unique racing experience
to Xbox 360," said Ian Curran, senior vice president,
international publishing, THQ. "The talent at SimBin combined
with the unique background that Roos brings to the team means
that we will be able to deliver a meticulously comprehensive
and entertaining racing experience to gamers."
"SimBin has built a reputation for delivering cutting edge
technology, unmatched atmosphere and white-knuckle realism in
our racing games," said Henrik Roos, chief executive officer,
SimBin. "With GTR for Xbox 360 we're developing a title that
is not only a truly authentic racing game, but also a
challenging, realistic and entertaining game that will be
easy to learn but tough to master. In other words -- do it
for real!"
"Working with first rate external development houses is a top
priority for THQ across Europe, and we are very pleased to be
producing SimBin's first next generation console racing
titles," said Andrew Walker, business development director
THQ (UK) Ltd. "SimBin and GTR is another example of THQ
building a great business partnership with emerging talent in
a major genre like Racing. Just as we did with People Can Fly
and Juice Games, we're creating a stable long term
relationship with the developer with a goal of building a big
franchise on next gen consoles."
About Xbox 360
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 gamers. The
system was first launched in North America, Europe and Japan
in 2005 and then in Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong, Korea,
Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and Taiwan in 2006. More
information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.
About SimBin Development Team AB
SimBin Development Team AB is a Swedish game developing
company making interactive entertainment with focus on the
highest simulated gaming realism for all leading gaming
platforms. The company possesses a global distribution
network with its main markets in Europe and the US. SimBin
was founded in 2003 and occupy a total staff of 70 people,
consisting of 40 employees at the headquarters in Vara and
the development studio in Gothenburg, and 30 consultants,
distributed world-wide. The SimBin portfolio includes many
award winning titles. www.simbin.com.
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 is a top producer of original
intellectual properties including titles such as Destroy All
Humans!TM and
JuicedTM as
well as the upcoming Saints RowTM, Titan QuestTM and Company of
HeroesTM. THQ,
THQ Wireless, Kaos Studios, Frontlines: Fuel of War, Destroy
All Humans!, Juiced, Saints Row, Titan Quest, Company of
Heroes, 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.
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 multi-title deal
between THQ and SimBin, as well as the release and features
of GTR for the Xbox 360, 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
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the date of this press release.