Gothic sci-fi phone game to be hammered out in time for a summer release.
May 9, 2005
[This unedited press release is made available courtesy of Game Developer and its partnership with notable game PR-related resource Games Press]
THQ Wireless | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9th May 2005 - Woking, UK - THQ Wireless Inc., a subsidiary of THQ Inc. (Nasdaq:THQI), today announced that it has acquired a licence from Games Workshop® to launch a mobile game set in the critically acclaimed Warhammer® 40,000 universe. Titled Warhammer® 40,000 Space Hulk®, the game is set in a dark gothic sci-fi future and is expected to be available through leading carriers worldwide, from Summer 2005.
The deep single player experience is set in a forbidding abandoned space ship teeming with aliens, weapons and mayhem. Space Hulk® is part of the instantly recognisable Warhammer 40,000 brand, and is based on Games Workshop's classic board game of the same name from the world's largest tabletop wargames company. THQ Wireless' interactive implementation of the brand will remain true to the existing rules and gameplay systems, whilst also addressing the needs of the 'quick play' aspect of mobile handset gaming.
"Space Hulk was the first Warhammer 40,000 computer game back in the early 90's, so it's feels very appropriate for it to be the first game we have on this emerging platform" said Jon Gillard, Business Development Manager for Games Workshop. "It also heralds the further extension of our long term relationship with THQ on Warhammer 40,000 products, a relationship which has already generated some great games and we are sure will continue to do so".
The shadowy Space Hulk setting lends itself well to mobile gaming. The strategic and tactical nuances provide an ongoing gameplay challenge and the ability to play as Space Marine Terminators or the alien Genestealers offers excellent variety to keep players coming back for more. The inimitable visual style that runs through the Warhammer 40,000 universe provides an instant impact that draws players into the game.
The dynamic game environment offers a multiplicity of game modes and scenarios, including tactical, turn based like the classic tabletop game, as well as frenetic real-time action. This makes the game accessible and compelling for as wide a spectrum of handset users as possible.
Adam Comiskey, General Manager at THQ Wireless said "We aim to ensure the appropriate respect is given to the Games Workshop licence, ensuring that the Space Hulk legacy lives on through another generation of gamers with this mobile phone game."
Games Workshop hobbyists are almost exclusively male, two thirds of whom are below the age of 21, which places them in a similar demographic to mobile phone gamers. There are proven links between the tabletop wargaming Hobby and the video gaming community, as shown in the successes of recent games such as Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War .
About Games Workshop
Games Workshop Group PLC is the world's largest tabletop wargames company. Based in Nottingham, UK, it designs, manufactures and distributes its range of Warhammer and Warhammer 40,000 games, model soldiers, novels, collectible card games, and role-playing games through more than 300 of its own Hobby Centres, mail order, Internet and more than 4,000 independent retailers in more than 50 countries worldwide. Further details on the company can be obtained at www.games-workshop.com. Games Workshop, Warhammer, Warhammer 40,000, Space Hulk, Space Marine, Genestealer, Dawn of War and all images, races and characters from the Warhammer 40,000 universe are either ®, TM and/or ® Games Workshop Ltd 1989-2005, variably registered in the UK and other countries around the world. All rights reserved.
About THQ Wireless
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 Calabasas, 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
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.
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"), including but not limited to expectations and projections related to the release and features of Warhammer 40,000 Space Hulk, 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, 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.
Contact:
Louise Gabriel
THQ Wireless - European PR
+44 77 47488 198
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