THQ WIRELESS SHOOTS AND SCORES WITH LAUNCH OF NHL 5-ON-5TM 2006, THE NEWEST OFFICIALLY LICENSED HOCKEY GAME FOR MOBILE PHONES
“Hockey fans rejoice because not only has the season begun, but this new wireless game is the best way to enjoy hockey on your mobile phone.” - WGWorld.com
WOKING, UK, November 2005 - THQ Wireless Inc., a subsidiary of THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI), announced today that the company has teamed up again this season with the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) to launch NHL 5-on-5 2006, the most fast paced and cutting edge hockey game to launch to date on mobile phones. Now available on major carriers to coincide with the start of the NHL season, NHL 5-on-5 2006 allows mobile gamers to lace up as one of 300 NHL players, in addition to participating in full season play, managing their own team and downloading roster updates.
"With all of the anticipation surrounding this year's NHL season, we have again aligned ourselves with the NHL and the NHLPA to create a mobile experience that will not only appeal to die hard hockey fans, but gamers who thrive on the hard-hitting action found only in top sports titles," said Tim Walsh, President of THQ Wireless. "With new features, advanced graphics and simplified controls, we feel strongly that NHL 5-on-5 2006 is one of the top mobile sports games that has launched to date."
"We are proud to work with a publisher like THQ Wireless to produce and distribute a mobile game that truly reflects the action, pace and excitement of the NHL season," stated Keith Ritter, President of NHL Interactive Cyber Enterprises (NHL ICE).
Boasting more robust art and vivid animation, as well as incredible gameplay improvements, NHL 5-on-5 2006 features all 30 NHL teams with strengths and weaknesses mirroring their real-life counterparts. Reminiscent of console classics, NHL 5-on-5 2006 offers full season mode, including the playoffs as well as the Stanley Cup Finals, and the mobile game also allows players to download updated lineups reflecting information on player movement and team improvements.
"The superior animation and noticeably detailed gameplay movements mirror the characters' real-life NHL player counterparts, and we are proud that the NHL players are presented in such an impressively realistic manner," stated Ted Saskin, Executive Director of the NHL Players Association.
In addition, THQ Wireless has added several features to enhance the game's authenticity. Line changes and coaching strategies allow players to show off their skills behind the bench, while the addition of one-timers, tip-ins, and redirections let users display their ability on the ice. Varying powered shots let you fire a ferocious slap shot into the back of the net or trickle the puck between the goalie's legs. The new and improved mobile game also allows players to feel every check thrown during gameplay, through a vibration feature available on many handsets.
For more information on NHL 5-on-5 2006, TEXT NHL to 69847 or 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, 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 NHL:
The National Hockey League, founded November 22, 1917, is the second oldest of the four major team sports leagues in North America. Today, the NHL consists of 30 Member Clubs based in the United States and Canada. More than 30 percent of NHL players hail from outside North America from 20 different countries. Through the NHL Foundation, the League's charitable arm, the NHL raises money and awareness for Hockey Fights Cancer, Hockey's All-Star Kids and NHL Diversity, and supports the charitable efforts of all NHL players. For more information on the NHL, fans may log on to NHL.com.
® NHLPA. NHL 5-on-5TM 2006 is an Officially Licensed Product of the NHLPA. NHLPA, National Hockey League Players' Association and the NHLPA logo are trademarks of the NHLPA and are used under license by THQ Wireless, Inc.
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 NHL 5-on-5 2006 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.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Louise Gabriel
THQ Wireless
+44 77 488 198
lgabriel@thq.com
Julie MacMedan
THQ/Investor Relations
818-871-5095
jmacmedan@thq.com