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THQ Announces Robust Product Slate for 2007 Based on Nickelodeon's Biggest HitsAGOURA HILLS, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI) today announced the company's 2007 Nickelodeon video game lineup. The upcoming portfolio will include the debut of El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera, as well as all-new titles based on some of the top-rated kids TV shows including SpongeBob SquarePants(TM) and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Nickelodeon fans can also look forward to a new installment of the popular Nicktoons. In addition, THQ plans to release new adventures based on highly-rated Nickelodeon live-action TV shows Zoey 101 and Drake and Josh. The company's overall portfolio is expected to ship across multiple game systems, including the Xbox 360(TM) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, along with Nintendo's Wii(TM) video game console, the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo DS(TM) and Game Boy(R) Advance. "Our Nickelodeon video game portfolio continues to lead the kids market with more than 45 million units sold-in to date," said Bob Aniello, senior vice president of worldwide marketing, THQ. "We expect a continued robust Nickelodeon business in 2007 with an even greater presence on the popular Wii, our first title slated for release on Xbox 360, and additional titles in our new series of games based on Nickelodeon's live-action properties." "We're excited to expand our relationship with THQ in 2007 as we introduce our first El Tigre video game, along with all new games based on Nick's biggest hits," said Shaul Olmert, vice president of digital products, Nickelodeon. "Nickelodeon is the number one entertainment brand for kids and the innovation that THQ brings to our gaming lineup continues to elevate us to new creative heights." The 2007 THQ Nickelodeon videogame lineup includes: -- Nicktoons 2007 (Working Title) -- Players must defeat Professor Calamitous' vast army of evil toys based on the Nicktoons Heroes in this fast-paced action platform game. Featuring the largest selection of playable Nickelodeon characters from the most popular TV shows including SpongeBob SquarePants, Danny Phantom and The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius, Nicktoons 2007 (working title) is scheduled to release for the PlayStation 2 system, Wii, Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance this fall. -- SpongeBob's Atlantis SquarePantis -- The game will follow SpongeBob and the rest of the Bikini Gang as they leave Bikini Bottom and journey to the legendary city of Atlantis. Players will discover the treasures of Atlantis, while experiencing new game mechanics and multiplayer features. SpongeBob's Atlantis SquarePantis is scheduled to release for the PlayStation 2 system, Wii, Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance this fall. In addition, SpongeBob SquarePants: Atlantis Treasures (working title) is scheduled to release for various mobile carriers. -- Avatar: The Last Airbender -- The Burning Earth -- Based on the popular Avatar: The Last Airbender animated series, players will follow the second season storyline as Aang teams up with friends to defend the greatest Earth Kingdom city against a deadly Fire Nation threat. Avatar: The Last Airbender -- The Burning Earth is scheduled to release for Xbox 360, the PlayStation 2 system, Wii, Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance this fall. -- El Tigre (Working Title) -- Based on the animated series, El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera, players will follow the adventures of Manny, the son of a superhero and the grandson of a supervillain. Players will help Manny as he must choose to use his El Tigre superpowers for good, or let his mischievous side take over. El Tigre is scheduled to release for Nintendo DS this fall. -- Zoey 101: Field Trip Fiasco -- Players will take on the role of Zoey Brooks, played by Jamie Lynn Spears, as she embarks on a field trip to Red Stone Gulch Canyons with her friends. With the aid of a park ranger, players will learn the techniques needed to survive the seemingly hostile wilderness terrain once they become separated from their guide. Zoey 101 is available now for Game Boy Advance. Zoey 101: Field Trip Fiasco is scheduled to release for Nintendo DS this summer. -- Drake & Josh: Talent Showdown -- Featuring all of the humor from the hit TV series, players will enjoy adventure-style gameplay as they help Drake and Josh win the infamous talent show, "Teen American Talent," by avoiding sabotages from other contestants and by perfecting their music skills. The game allows players to interact with all of their favorite characters from the TV show, including Drake, Josh and Megan. Drake & Josh is available now for Game Boy Advance. Drake & Josh: Talent Showdown is scheduled to release for Nintendo DS this summer. More information about the THQ Nickelodeon videogame lineup can be found at www.thq.com. About Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products Nickelodeon, in its 28th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 92 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for almost twelve consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE:VIA) (NYSE:VIA.B) About THQ Inc. THQ Inc. 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 throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. 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. Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox Live, the Xbox logos, and the Xbox Live logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. "PlayStation" and the "PS" Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Nintendo, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DS and Wii are trademarks of Nintendo. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 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 THQ's 2007 Nickelodeon video games and are based upon management's current 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, business, competitive, economic, legal, political and technological factors affecting our industry, operations, markets, products or pricing. 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/A for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2006, and particularly the discussion of risk factors 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. |
