WWE(R) WrestleMania(R) 21 Ships Exclusively for Xbox
Wrestling Fans Live the WWE Experience Like Never Before with New Online Create-A-Belt Feature.
CALABASAS HILLS, Calif., April 20 - THQ Inc. (Nasdaq: THQI) and JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (Nasdaq: JAKK) today announced the release of their newest World Wrestling Entertainment® (NYSE: WWE) licensed video game, WWE WrestleMania 21. Available exclusively for the Xbox® video game system from Microsoft, WWE WrestleMania 21 features for the first time ever Superstar voice-over, authentic ringside commentary from SmackDown! ® and RAW® announcers, motion-capture technology and the ability to take a created Championship Belt online to challenge others via XboxTM Live. WWE WrestleMania 21 has shipped to major retail outlets throughout North America.
"We are thrilled to bring this next installment of the WWE to Xbox," stated Philip Holt, senior vice president, product development, THQ. "Defending a Championship Belt online is something that the wrestling fans have been asking for and we're excited to deliver this feature that will create an online wrestling community that's above and beyond anything we've seen in the wrestling genre before."
"It is exciting to bring this great spectacle in sports entertainment to WWE videogame fans," said Nelo Lucich, Vice President of Interactive, JAKKS Pacific, Inc. "WrestleMania 21 is the best looking wrestling game to date, with Superstar moves and animations that really come to life because of the amazing motion-capture technology that was utilized in the making of the game."
About WWE WrestleMania 21
WWE WrestleMania 21 for Xbox showcases 45 WWE Superstars including John CenaTM, BatistaTM, Rey MysterioTM and Stacy KeiblerTM. The game includes a story mode that allows players to create a Superstar and build his attributes from the early stages of wrestling development, to the pinnacle of sports entertainment -- WrestleMania 21. WWE WrestleMania 21 is the first ever wrestling game with complete motion capture technology, resulting in the best looking WWE models and animations to ever grace a wrestling console game. Another feature that is unique to WWE WrestleMania 21 is the Pro Reversal System -- a mechanic that adds a level of depth to the gameplay experience by allowing players to counter any move in the game. Rounding out WWE WrestleMania 21's features is a wealth of online content, including a new feature that allows players to build a championship belt and build prestige by challenging opponents online. Players up for the challenge will also have the ability to play multiple match types online via XboxTM Live.
For more information about the THQ/JAKKS Pacific World Wrestling Entertainment® videogame franchises and the rest of THQ's 2005 line-up, visit www.thq.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.
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
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, 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 Xbox
Xbox (http://www.xbox.com) is the video game system from Microsoft that brings people together for the most exhilarating game and entertainment experiences. Xbox delivers an expansive collection of breakthrough games, powerful hardware and the unified Xbox Live online service. The new tagline, "it's good to play together," captures the spirit of Xbox as the social hub of the new digital entertainment lifestyle. Xbox is now available in North America, Asia, Europe and Australia.
About Xbox Live
A new frontier in imagination and extraordinary interaction, Xbox Live offers rich online gameplay. The world's only unified global online console games service, Xbox Live is continuously innovating to provide members with unparalleled experiences. This unique service unites gamers together in a dynamic community where they can experience the best online games, exclusive programming and continuous downloadable content. Xbox Live launched in the United States in November 2002 and is available in 24 countries. Please visit http://www.xbox.com/live for more information.
Trademark Statement
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 are the property of their respective owners.
Xbox is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
This press release may contain "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") and may include, but are not limited to, statements related to WWE WrestleMania 21. Such statements are based upon management's beliefs and certain assumptions made by management and 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, services 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.