THQ SHIPS MX 2002 FEATURING RICKY CARMICHAEL FOR XBOX

Freestyle Insanity Meets Racing Excitement With Two New Bonus Worlds and Added Features for Microsoft’s New Video Game Console

CALABASAS HILLS, Calif., -- December 3, 2001 - THQ Inc. (NASDAQ NMS: THQI) today announced the release of MX 2002 featuring Ricky Carmichael for the Xbox™ video game console from Microsoft.  Developed by THQ subsidiary, Pacific Coast Power & Light, the adrenaline-pumping title features an enhanced freestyle mode for tricks and exploration, an ultra-realistic racing mode and the sport’s number one rider, Ricky Carmichael.  MX 2002 featuring Ricky Carmichael is now available at major retail outlets nationwide. 

“THQ is proud to have Ricky Carmichael, the dominant figure in the sport of motocross, as our featured rider,” stated Germaine Gioia, Vice President - Licensing, THQ. “Ricky has had a phenomenal year winning the 250cc Supercross and Outdoor National Championships, in addition to his impressive win at this year’s THQ US OPEN in Las Vegas.”  

“We are very excited to be bringing the number one motocross franchise to Xbox,” stated Michael Rubinelli, Vice President - Product Development, THQ.  “MX 2002 featuring Ricky Carmichael features a blown out freestyle mode with two new bonus worlds and a system that gives players the ability to tune their bikes with upgradeable parts.”

About MX 2002 featuring Ricky Carmichael

The robust freestyle mode features two new bonus worlds located in Washington D.C. and Tacoma.  The racing mode showcases 22 motocross, supercross, amateur and freestyle tracks exclusively featuring Loretta Lynn’s Amateur National Championships, the Free Ride Moto-X Championships and the THQ US Open.  Included in the game’s 30-rider roster are some of the flashiest freestyle and racing professionals. Gamers can perform tricks and combos with freestylers like Carey Hart, Trevor Vines and Mike Jones or compete as the top names in racing, with professional riders like Ricky Carmichael, Mike LaRocco and Kevin Windham.  Other features include an in-depth career mode with upgrades and tunable bike parts in addition to the all-new mini game “Horse”. 

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 six National Championships to his credit.  He has dominated the 125cc class like no other rider in the history of the sport and this past year clinched both the 2001 250cc class Outdoor National title and 2001 Supercross Series Championship.  Carmichael also has two back-to-back championships at the THQ US Open.  

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.

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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 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.