Skip to main content

THQ Wireless Joins Forces With Lucasfilm to Develop First Ever Star Wars(R) Multiplayer Mobile Game, Available Exclusively on Cingular Wireless

Star Wars Battlefront(TM) Mobile, Based on LucasArt's Best-Selling Game Star Wars Battlefront, Furthers Expands THQ Wireless' Line-Up of Multiplayer Mobile Games

AGOURA HILLS, Calif., Sept 27, 2005: THQ Wireless Inc., a subsidiary of THQ Inc. (Nasdaq: THQI), unveiled today at the CTIA Wireless I.T. & Entertainment tradeshow, the company's biggest multiplayer endeavor to date, Star Wars Battlefront Mobile. Developed in association with Lucasfilm Ltd., LucasArts and developer Mikoishi, Star Wars Battlefront Mobile is based on LucasArt's Star Wars Battlefront, the best-selling Star Wars game ever, and features for the first time in a mobile environment head-to-head gameplay within the Star Wars universe. Star Wars Battlefront Mobile is slated to launch on November 1 exclusively on Cingular Wireless, and is timed with the release of Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith on DVD and LucasArt's release of Star Wars Battlefront II for the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Xbox® video game system from Microsoft, PSPTM (PlayStation®Portable) system and Windows platforms.

"THQ Wireless has always been committed to creating the highest quality in mobile entertainment," said Tim Walsh, President of THQ Wireless. "By aligning ourselves with LucasArts and Lucasfilm, we are not only bringing their top- selling console game to mobile, but we are creating one of the most ambitious multiplayer mobile games to date, and it is perfectly timed with the next major Star Wars event, the release of Episode III on DVD and Battlefront II on PS2, Xbox, PSP and PC."

Star Wars Battlefront Mobile is one of the most feature-rich multiplayer games ever made for cell phones. Mobile gamers can become a member of either the Confederacy of Independent Systems or the Grand Army of the Republic in the Clone Wars, or choose an allegiance between the Rebel Alliance and the evil Galactic Empire in the Galactic Civil Wars. Taking place in real-time, Star Wars Battlefront Mobile features a pervasive world with a large-scale territorial combat system in which players can choose from two complete campaigns with more than 75 playable levels. Players can also track the progress of their character and faction in-game using the comprehensive ranking and award systems.

"This has been an epic year for Star Wars on wireless phones and Star Wars Battlefront Mobile is yet another great first," said Casey Collins, Dir. of Domestic Licensing, Lucas Licensing. "Fans of the Battlefront franchise can now experience the great battles, famous locations and planets on their mobile phone, anytime and anywhere."

Star Wars Battlefront Mobile is just one of several new multiplayer games being released as a result of a partnership between THQ Wireless and Singapore-based developer, Mikoishi. The first series of Mikoishi multiplayer games now available from THQ Wireless include Metal Unit and Mag Racer and feature head-to-head gaming, game lobbies, in-game chats, high score management, buddy lists, groups and clans, ladders and tournaments, player profiles and contest management.

THQ Wireless is one of the early leaders in the mobile space, partnering with some of the world's biggest entertainment and sports brands. In May of 2005, THQ Wireless launched across the globe a full suite of wireless products based on the entire Star Wars saga including games, ringtones, video clips, screensavers and wallpapers. For more information, please visit www.thqwireless.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 WWETM, 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, 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 LucasArts:

LucasArts, a Lucasfilm Ltd. company, is a leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software worldwide for video game console systems, computers and the Internet. Based in San Francisco, Calif., as well as on the Internet at www.lucasarts.com, LucasArts was created in 1982 by George Lucas to provide an interactive element to his vision of a state-of- the-art, multi-faceted entertainment company.

About Lucasfilm Ltd.:

Lucasfilm Ltd. is one of the world's leading film and entertainment companies. Founded by George Lucas in 1971, it is a privately held, fully integrated entertainment company. In addition to its motion-picture and television production operations, the company's global activities include Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, serving the digital needs of the entertainment industry for visual-effects and audio post-production; and Lucas Licensing, which manages the global merchandising activities for Lucasfilm's entertainment properties. Additionally, Lucas Online creates Internet-based content for Lucasfilm's entertainment properties and businesses. Lucasfilm's motion-picture productions include five of the 20 biggest box-office hits of all time and have received 19 Oscars and 53 Academy Award nominations. Lucasfilm's television projects have won 12 Emmy Awards. Lucasfilm Ltd. is headquartered in San Francisco, Calif.

About Mikoishi:

Mikoishi is a game production and services company, based in Singapore, that specializes in the development and operation of multiplayer games for mobile phones. The company operates its games globally, in partnership with major Telco's, Publishers, Network portals and Independent content providers. Mikoishi games represent a leap forward from the current generation of mobile game offerings by featuring true multiplayer game-play and extensive community elements all powered by TheatreTM, Mikoishi's multiplayer gaming technology. Mikoishi games operate on handsets from major phone manufactures such as Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, LG, Sony Ericsson, and Sharp. For additional information, please visit www.mikoishi.com.

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 release and features of Star Wars Battlefront Mobile, 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.

Read this next

GamesIndustry.biz avatar
GamesIndustry International is the world's leading games industry website, incorporating GamesIndustry.biz and IndustryGamers.com.