THQ Wireless Enables World Wrestling Entertainment(R) Fans To Take It To The Mat With Two New Mobile Games
WWE RAWâ and SmackDownâ Launch on Handsets Across the Globe
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AGOURA HILLS, CA & WOKING, UK, November 14, 2005 - THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) and JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK) today announced that THQ Wireless Inc., a subsidiary of THQ, plans to launch WWE RAW and WWE SmackDown, the newest officially licensed mobile games based on the top-selling World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) (NYSE: WWE) brand, this fall on major carriers in the U.S. and Europe. The WWE RAW and SmackDown titles deliver to wireless devices the hard-hitting and authentic action that wrestling fans from around the globe have come to expect.
"We are renowned for providing gamers with the most authentic WWE branded videogames and mobile is no exception," said Tim Walsh, President of THQ Wireless. "We look forward to branching out to other demographics, in addition to maintaining our mobile gamer base, with these entertaining, branded games."
"WWE Raw and SmackDown for mobile gamers are packed with more performance, more superstars and incredibly detailed and realistic gameplay, making them the best in wireless games for the WWE franchise to date," commented Nelo Lucich, Vice President of Interactive, JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
WWE RAW features the hottest WWE Superstars, complete with their own signature moves. In addition, for the first time on wireless devices, fans can also play as a WWE Diva, such as Stacy Keibler®, VictoriaTM or Trish Stratus®. Each Superstar has their own abilities based on five performance categories that enable the player to match move for move with their favorite WWE Superstars. These categories are: strength, submission, endurance, technique and speed. The game is scheduled to launch worldwide on all carriers and is expected to be featured on both Cingular and Sprint/Nextel.
SmackDown from THQ Wireless features seven of the biggest SmackDown Superstars complete with their own signature moves. Each Superstar has their own abilities based on five performance categories: strength, submission, endurance technique and speed. Unique to this game, fans can create their own SmackDown Superstar by selecting the look and performance ratings of the character. The player can also execute classic moves such as the knee strike, spinning kick, back chop, roundhouse kick, kitchen sink and throat thrust; plus character specific "secret moves." The game is anticipated to launch worldwide on all carriers, and is planned to be featured on Verizon Wireless.
Also scheduled for release this fall from THQ and JAKKS Pacific, players can enter the ring for the fight of their lives in WWE® SmackDown® vs. RAW® 2006 for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and PlayStation® Portable (PSP) handheld entertainment system in December. Offering the deepest and most realistic experience to date in the series, WWE SmackDown vs. RAW 2006 includes updated fighting and stamina systems, improved graphics and integrated motion capture technology. Players can also take advantage of a power-packed roster featuring new WWE Legends, new and updated game play modes, 100 different match types, a 3D locker room, engaging online play and unparalleled connectivity options between the PS2 and PSP versions of the game.
For more information, please visit www.thqwireless.com.
Contacts:
Jonalyn Morris
Bender/Helper Impact for THQ Wireless
310-473-4147
jonalyn_morris@bhimpact.com
Louise Gabriel
THQ Wireless European PR
+44 77 47488 198
lgabriel@thq.com
Julie MacMedan
THQ/Investor Relations
818-871-5095
jmacmedan@thq.com
Michael Smith
WWE Publicity
203-352-8657
michael.smith@wwecorp.com
About THQ Wireless Inc.:
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 licenses such as the WWE, Star Wars, popular Nickelodeon properties and professional sports leagues including the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB and the NHRA. In addition to wireless entertainment products, THQ Wireless' controlling interest in MINICK gives the company access to one of the largest premium messaging networks in the world in order to offer a broad range of services from content distribution to mobile marketing campaigns and place the company at the forefront of this rapidly growing messaging market. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, 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 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 sells product through its global network of offices located in the United States, United Kingdom, Austria, France, Germany, Netherlands, 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 and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.
About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.:
JAKKS Pacific, Inc. is a multi-brand company that designs and markets a broad range of toys and consumer products. The product categories include: Action Figures, Art Activity Kits, Stationery, Writing Instruments, Performance Kites, Water Toys, Sports Activity Toys, Vehicles, Infant/Pre-School, Plush, Construction Toys, Electronics, Dolls and Pet Toys and Accessories. The products are sold under various brand names including JAKKS Pacific®, Play Along®, Flying Colors®, Road Champs®, Child Guidance®, Pentech®, Trendmasters®, Toymax®, Funnoodle®, Go Fly a Kite®, Color Workshop®, Pet PalTM and Plug It In & Play TV GamesTM. JAKKS also participates with THQ Inc in a joint venture that has exclusive worldwide rights to publish and market World Wrestling Entertainment video games. For further information, visit www.jakkspacific.com or www.tvgames.com.
About World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.:
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE) is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto and London. Additional information on the company can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. Information on television ratings and community activities can be found at parents.wwe.com.
Trademarks: The names of all World Wrestling Entertainment televised and live programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans and wrestling moves and all World Wrestling Entertainment logos are trademarks that are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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 WWE SmackDown and WWE RAW for wireless devices, 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. 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 for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2005, and particularly the discussion of risk factors that may affect results of operations 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.
This press release contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about JAKKS Pacific's business based partly on assumptions made by its management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such statements due to numerous factors, including, but not limited to, those described above, changes in demand for JAKKS' products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and difficulties with integrating acquired businesses. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and JAKKS undertakes no obligation to update any of them to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.