THQ AND SYFY ENTER INTO STRATEGIC ALLIANCE TO CREATE AND PUBLISH ORIGINAL CONTENT ACROSS ALL MAJOR MEDIA PLATFORMS INSPIRED BY BOTH THQ'S AWARD-WINNING GAMING FRANCHISES AND JOINTLY DEVELOPED NEW INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES
THQ'S CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED de Blob(R) FRANCHISE TO BE KEY ANCHOR FRANCHISE OF NETWORK'S EXPANSION INTO THE CHILDREN'S/FAMILY MARKET WITH LAUNCH OF NEW SYFY KIDS BANNER
New York, NY and Agoura Hills, CA - February 11, 2010 - Syfy, the premier television and online destination for imagination based entertainment and leading interactive entertainment developer and publisher THQ (NASDAQ: THQ!) have entered into a comprehensive strategic alliance through which the companies will create new concepts/intellectual property as well as develop some of the world's premier video game franchises into fully integrated multi-platform properties. The first property in the strategic alliance will be the critically acclaimed de Blob(R) franchise.
The deal with THQ comes as Syfy prepares to launch an aggressive expansion of its brand into the kids space with the unveiling of its Syfy Kids banner. Dedicated to serving the all-important youth market of 2 - 17 year olds, Syfy Kids is being designed to deliver compelling content across multiple platform that enables young consumers to stimulate their imagination with fantastical worlds, stories and characters in the realms of science fiction, fantasy, mystery, paranormal and action/adventure. de Blob(R) will serve as a key foundation for Syfy Kids.
"This deal with THQ is an important foundation in building the Syfy Kids brand and delivering cutting-edge, interactive, story-telling experiences that live beyond the linear television screen. Syfy Kids will bring the wonder and excitement of imagine-based entertainment to a whole new generation of born digital consumers who expect their media on any platform, any place, any time. We want to build transmedia experiences that will excite and involve them and THQ is an extraordinary partner that shares our vision," said Dave Howe, President, Syfy.
"We are pleased that de Blob has been selected as a foundational character and storyline for Syfy's new Syfy Kids brand," said Doug Clemmer, Executive Vice President, THQ Kids, Family and Casual Games. "We look forward to working closely with Syfy to introduce de Blob's colorful world to a new audience of young adults via webisodes, television and other media, broadening awareness for this loveable hero."
Danny Bilson, THQ Executive Vice President, Core Games, added, "We are very excited to be working with leading entertainment company Syfy to help build broad awareness for our owned IP's across all major media. This agreement underscores our �transmedia' strategy, which means that all of our original IP's are designed to inspire movies, television, toys and other media. By extending our brands to other media, we build huge awareness and momentum for our games."
One of the most acclaimed video game titles of 2008 and one of the true breakout Wii hits of that year, de Blob(R) presents the adventures of the lovable yet edgy title character who must save the world from an oppressive monochrome future. Taking on the evil I.N.K.T. Corporation who has declared "Color is a Crime!" and leeched Chroma City of all its beauty and interest, its up to de Blob(R), and his underdog group of determined Color Revolutionaries, to use their unique abilities to color the world back to life to restore order and free the citizens from a black and white future. Syfy will initially focus its de Blob(R) development efforts on webisodes, television and consumer products. THQ plans to publish new games based on de Blob across multiple gaming platforms in its fiscal year ending March 31, 2011.
The THQ property development strategy will be managed by Alan Seiffert, Senior Vice President Syfy Ventures, Syfy's portfolio of media and non-media businesses which transcend the television screen and leverages the deep affinity the Syfy audience has with the most main stream and profitable genre world-wide. In addition to the Channel, these businesses include the new Syfy Kids banner, Syfy Games, Syfy Media, and Syfy Gear.
"With Syfy Ventures, we are looking to collaborate with the best companies and creators that push the boundaries of imagination through compelling stories and technology," said Seiffert. "THQ is in an elite category in the games business with its approach to storytelling. This deal offers us tremendous opportunities to further our connection with our audience and build relationships for our brand with new audiences, such as kids, through the unique way we plan to approach and develop properties with THQ across multiple channels."
About de Blob(R)
Upon its unveiling at the E3 trade show in 2008, de Blob(R) achieved broad critical acclaim, including Best Platform Game and Special Achievement for Innovation from leading game site IGN. In de Blob, the evil I.N.K.T. Corporation has declared "Color is a Crime!" and leeched Chroma City of all its beauty and interest. Only de Blob(R) can save the world from an oppressive monochrome future with his unique abilities to color the world back to life. Players take on the heroic role of de Blob(R) and lead an underdog group of determined Color Revolutionaries in a battle against massive tank battalions, speedy I.N.K.T. racers and elite Inky soldiers on a quest to free the citizens of Chroma City.
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 throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com. THQ and its logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
About Syfy
Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in 95 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. (Syfy. Imagine greater.)
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements about THQ
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 ability of SyFy to successfully publish de Blob across non-video game media, 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 for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2009, 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.
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