News

THQ AND JAKKS PACIFIC ANNOUNCE EXTENSIVE MARKETING CAMPAIGN FOR WWF RAW ON XBOX

Exclusive Xbox Title and First World Wrestling Federation Licensed Xbox Game To Ship February 12

CALABASAS HILLS, Calif. - January 30, 2002 - THQ Inc. (NASDAQ NMS: THQI) and JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ NMS: JAKK) today announced details of an extensive marketing campaign backing the first World Wrestling Federation(r) licensed title for the Xbox(tm) video game system from Microsoft, WWF Raw(tm). An exclusive Xbox title, WWF Raw will ship on February 12 and benefit from multi-million dollar marketing support, including a national television campaign featuring the music of Limp Bizkit. WWF Raw is THQ and JAKK's most advanced World Wrestling Federation title to date featuring more than 45 World Wrestling Federation Superstars and intense, grappling-style gameplay. The game is being heralded by Microsoft as a groundbreaking title that gamers will not want to miss.

"We are extremely excited to be working so closely with Microsoft on the first World Wrestling Federation title for Xbox," said Brian Farrell, President and CEO, THQ. "The popularity of the World Wrestling Federation combined with the power of the Xbox is sure to make WWF Raw the must-have game for early 2002." "WWF Raw brings the excitement of the World Wrestling Federation to Xbox with graphics that are unmatched and excitement that is palpable," said Stephen Berman, President and COO, JAKKS Pacific. "We anticipate great results for the title at retail in 2002."

"THQ/JAKKS' WWF Raw is a key title in the first half of 2002, and we are incredibly excited to see it come to life on Xbox," said J Allard, General Manager, Xbox Platform. "It's quality titles like WWF Raw that are showcasing the Xbox difference in graphics and gameplay."

The television spot for WWF Raw was produced by the World Wrestling Federation's in-house production team and features exclusive gameplay footage cut to Limp Bizkit's "My Way, William Orbit's Mix" from the new Limp Bizkit remix album "New Old Songs" which was released by Flip/Interscope on December 4.

Marketing highlights for WWF Raw include:

* National television campaign on FOX, UPN, NBC, TNN, MTV, FX, Comedy Central and other major networks

* Print campaign across major videogame and World Wrestling Federation publications

* National point of purchase program including posters, oversized boxes, banners, floor graphics, in-store merchandising and in-store commercials at game retailers nationwide

* Featured title on Microsoft's national Xbox Odyssey tour

* World premier event for WWF Raw hosted at WWF New York(tm) in Times Square

* Radio promotions including on-air giveaways

* Coverage on WWF.com (www.wwf.com), as well as the official WWF Raw web site, hosted by THQ.com

* Coverage on www.xbox.com

* Official WWF Raw video game strategy guides

About WWF Raw

Created by Anchor, WWF Raw captures the look and feel of the World Wrestling Federation with highly detailed Superstars, grappling-style gameplay and a TV-style presentation. With the unsurpassed power of Xbox, the most electrifying show in sports-entertainment comes to life like never before with authentic ring entrances, theme music and plenty of World Wrestling Federation attitude.

About World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc.

World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, with sales offices in New York City, Chicago and Toronto. The company can be found online at wwf.com and wwfecorpbiz.com.

About JAKKS Pacific

JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (Nasdaq NM: JAKK) is a multi-brand toy company that designs, develops, produces and markets toys and related products under various brand names (including Flying Colors(r), Road Champs(r), Remco(r), Child Guidance(r), and Pentech(r)) in multiple product categories, including: Wheels; Action Figures; Art/Activities/Stationery; Infant/Pre-School; Writing Instruments; Plush; and Dolls. The Company also participates in a joint venture with THQ Inc. that has exclusive worldwide rights to publish and market World Wrestling Federation(r) videogames. Visit www.jakkspacific.com.

About Xbox

Xbox (http://www.xbox.com) is Microsoft's future-generation video game system that delivers the most powerful games experiences ever. Xbox empowers game artists by giving them the technology to fulfill their creative visions as never before, creating games that blur the lines between fantasy and reality. Xbox is now available in North America at the suggested retail price of $299.99.* *Reseller prices may vary

About THQ

THQ Inc. develops and publishes interactive entertainment software worldwide for a variety of hardware platforms including PC CD-ROM, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft. The THQ web site is located at www.thq.com. # # #

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about THQ's business based, in part, on assumptions made by its management. These statements are not guarantees of THQ's future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including, but not limited to, those described above and the following: changes in demand for THQ's products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the impact of competitive products and pricing and difficulties encountered in the integration of acquired businesses. In addition, such statements could be affected by growth rates and market conditions relating to the interactive software industry and general domestic and international economic conditions. Specific information concerning these and other such factors is contained in THQ's current report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 21, 2001. A copy of this filing may be obtained by contacting THQ or the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and THQ does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

Xbox is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries

For More Product Information
WWF Raw (XB)