WWE DAY OF RECKONING SHIPS FOR NINTENDO GAMECUBE TWO WEEKS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE
GameCube Exclusive Features Original Story Mode Developed by WWE Writers
WWE DAY OF RECKONING SHIPS FOR NINTENDO GAMECUBE TWO WEEKS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE
GameCube Exclusive Features Original Story Mode Developed by WWE Writers
WOKING, Surrey. - 3rd September 3, 2004 - THQ® Inc. (NASDAQ NM: THQI) and JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ NM: JAKK) today announced the release of their newest World Wrestling EntertainmentTM (NYSE: WWE) licensed video game, WWE Day of ReckoningTM exclusively for Nintendo® GameCubeTM. THQ is delighted that their first wrestling title this year is launching two weeks ahead of schedule on 17th September 2004.
"We're confident that WWE Day of Reckoning captures all the action, excitement and attitude of the world recognized World Wrestling Entertainment brand," stated Jon Rooke, Product Marketing Manger, THQ UK. "WWE Day of Reckoning delivers the GameCube's most comprehensive WWE experience to date with its compelling story mode, graphical upgrades and inclusion of new features including legends and licensed music."
"WWE licensed videogames are becoming deeper than ever, and we're pleased to give GameCube fans a solid addition to their library with WWE Day of Reckoning," said Nelo Lucich, Vice President of Interactive, JAKKS Pacific. "This year's GameCube title introduces classic superstars to the roster, and captures the realism of WWE programming, bringing the fans even closer to the action through this exclusive Nintendo GameCube release."
What the press are saying about WWE Day of Reckoning:
"Best wrestler on GameCube - 9.1/10" - CUBE
"We want this now, knickers and all" - NOM
"the best-looking wrestling game yet" - GamesMaster
An extensive marketing campaign for the title kicked off with specialist press covers across CUBE, NGC and GamesMaster. Print advertising, online promotions and sampling during the October Tour will all support the launch. Plus, THQ's ongoing Sky Sponsorship of the WWE programming will carry WWE Day of Reckoning tagging for three months.
About WWE Day of Reckoning
Developed by Yuke's Co., Ltd. of Japan, WWE Day of Reckoning features more than 40 WWE Superstars including John CenaTM, Eddie GuerreroTM and Randy OrtonTM. New features include an all-new story mode entitled, School of Hard Knocks, where players start in the "minor leagues" of sports entertainment and take their created Superstar up the ranks of the WWE. Throughout the story mode, players will encounter several deceptive twists in their elusive quest for a WWE contract and Superstar status. WWE Day of Reckoning also showcases several WWE Legends, including Andre the GiantTM, Brett HartTM and Roddy PiperTM, giving WWE Day of Reckoning a massive stable of overall talent. In addition, WWE Day of Reckoning features the ever-popular Bra & Panty match, a first for a GameCube product. In addition to Superstar entrances, licensed music will be featured throughout the game for the first time. An enhanced grappling system with strong and weak grapples, location specific damage, unique Superstar attributes and improved presentation all serve to make WWE Day of Reckoning the deepest WWE title on GameCube to date.
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.
About JAKKS Pacific
JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (Nasdaq: JAKK) is a multi-brand company that designs and markets a broad range of toys and leisure products. The product categories include: Action Figures, Arts & Crafts Activity Kits, Stationery, Writing Instruments, Performance Kites, Water Toys, Sports Activity Toys, Vehicles, Infant/Pre-School, Plush and Dolls. The products are sold under various brand names including Flying Colors®, Road Champs®, Remco®, Child Guidance®, Pentech®, Toymax®, Funnoodle®, Go Fly a Kite® and JPI Color WorkshopTM. The Company also participates in a joint venture with THQ Inc. that has exclusive worldwide rights to publish and market World Wrestling Entertainment video games. For further information, visit www.jakkspacific.com
About THQ
THQTM Inc. (NASDAQ NM: THQI) is a leading, worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for a variety of hardware platforms including PC CD-ROM, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., Nintendo and Microsoft. The THQ web site is located at www.thq.co.uk. THQ and the THQ logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.
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 which are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. All other trademarks, product names, company names and logos cited herein are the property of their respective owners. All other trademarks, product names, company names and logos cited herein are the property of their respective owners.
This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, the release and features of WWE Day of Reckoning. 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") 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. 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, 2004, 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.