Now is not the time to take on WOW, says THQ boss

THQ CEO Brian Farrell has declared that the company has no plans to enter the MMO market as long as World of Warcraft continues to dominate - suggesting it would also be unwise for other publishers to do so.

When asked during a presentation to investors why THQ has yet to enter the highly lucrative massively multiplayer market, Farrell replied: "We're looking at it very closely, but I want to find the right opportunity. I think what you will not see THQ do is come out with another fantasy-type game."

"The other thing we're thinking is these things tend to have a window," Farrell continued.

"Right now that product is World of Warcraft, so the idea would be to time something for when that product is going to be on its downward slope. To come out with something competitive now I think would be misguided for anyone, including THQ."

World of Warcraft is undoubtedly the most popular MMORPG in the current market, with more than six million players worldwide. The game generates healthy revenues for Blizzard and publisher Vivendi thanks to its monthly subscription fee model.

Although the game does have its competitors - NCsoft's Guild Wars has just hit the 2 million player mark - WOW shows no sign of losing its foothold in the marketplace. Blizzard could face a challenge in the shape of Codemasters' Lord of the Rings Online, however, which is due out in the second half of this year.