News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wayne Teats
THQ/Media Relations
818/ 871-5156
Mary Nelson Garrett
THQ/Investor Relations
818/ 871-5090
THQ SHIPS MX 2002 FEATURING RICKY CARMICHAEL FOR PLAYSTATION(r)2
Freestyle Insanity Meets Racing Excitement
CALABASAS HILLS, Calif., -- June 28, 2001 - THQ Inc. (NASDAQ NMS: THQI) today announced the release of MX 2002 featuring Ricky Carmichael for the PlayStation(r)2 computer entertainment system. Developed by THQ subsidiary Pacific Coast Power & Light, the adrenaline-pumping title features the sport''s number one rider, Ricky Carmichael, a highly detailed freestyle mode for tricks and exploration, and an ultra-realistic racing mode. MX 2002 featuring Ricky Carmichael is scheduled to be on store shelves nationwide in time for the July 4th holiday.
"Ricky Carmichael is the premiere rider in a sport that has really taken off," stated Alison Locke, executive vice president of North American publishing, THQ. "In addition to national race coverage regularly airing on major networks, the popularity of motocross is due, in no small part, to the emergence of freestyle as a spectacular visual event. This is exactly what we have captured with MX 2002 featuring Ricky Carmichael."
"It''s awesome, totally fun and innovative. This is by far the most advanced motocross video game, with realistic graphics and bike control. I''m proud to be involved with it," said five-time national champion, Ricky Carmichael. "THQ has really captured the essence of motocross."
"We are very excited about the new physics engine we created for MX 2002 featuring Ricky Carmichael," said Don Traeger, president, Pacific Coast Power & Light. "Not only does this game have an extensive racing mode, but it has every wicked trick in the sport. Players will feel every bump on the track, while controlling the clutch and bike speed to pull off real tricks including stoppies, wheelies, back-flips, 360''s and many more."
MX 2002 featuring Ricky Carmichael, the latest installment in THQ''s motocross series, is being backed by a multi-million dollar marketing campaign and has already been receiving high praise from the video game press, including:
"...the best moto-cross game a Sony system has seen." - Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine
"...competitors will have their hands full trying to keep up. Chalk this one up on the must-have list." -PS2.IGN.com
Marketing highlights for MX 2002 Featuring Ricky Carmichael include:
* Network and cable television campaign on ESPN, ESPN2, MTV, Fox Sports Net, Fox, E!, UPN, TNN and Speedvision, targeted toward gamers and motocross enthusiasts.
* THQ sponsorship of high profile motocross and freestyle events, including the THQ US Open, Outdoor Nationals of Motocross, Xgames Qualifiers Moto X Freeride Series and Loretta Lynn''s Amateur National Championships.
* An aggressive five month national print campaign in consumer, gaming and motocross publications.
* On-location event marketing and product sampling at high profile venues.
* Extensive direct mail campaign featuring interactive demos, product information and consumer sweepstakes.
* Cross promotions with mass market and grassroot companies that include product inserts, hang tags, kiosk sampling and more.
The robust freestyle mode is one of the main aspects that separates MX 2002 featuring Ricky Carmichael from every other racing title. Players are able to explore the open terrain without limits or restrictions. Secret areas and death-defying tricks play a large role here. Gamers will also appreciate highly detailed graphics, which include long, detailed sightlines completely void of pop-up or fogging. MX 2002 featuring Ricky Carmichael was developed using RenderWare Graphics, the middleware solution from Criterion Software.
Included in the game''s 30-rider roster are some of the flashiest freestyle professionals. Gamers can perform tricks and combos with freestylers like Carey Hart, Trevor Vines and Mike Jones. The top names in racing are also well represented, with riders like Ricky Carmichael, Mike LaRocco and Kevin Windham. All of this is showcased on officially licensed events and tracks, constructed from actual satellite data for an unprecedented level of realism.
About Ricky Carmichael In 1998, Ricky Carmichael was the first rider in history to win every race in the 125cc Supercross Series, winning the Eastern Regional title and the East-West Shoot-Out in Las Vegas. Since turning professional in 1996, Carmichael has five National Championships to his credit. He has dominated the 125cc class like no other rider in the history of the sport and this past season clinched both the 250cc class Outdoor National title and 2001 Supercross Series Championship.
About THQ THQ Inc. develops, publishes and distributes 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. # # #
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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 the Company''s business based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of 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 the Company''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 the Company''s most recent report on Form 8-K, filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on November 13, 2000. A copy of this filing may be obtained by contacting the Company or the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.
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