THQ Teams Up With Zuffa, LLC To Create Videogames Based On Ultimate Fighting Championship(R)
AGOURA HILLS, Calif., January 16, 2007 -- THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced that it has entered into an exclusive, worldwide agreement with Zuffa, LLC to publish videogames based on the Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC®) brand through 2011.
Based on the agreement, the videogames will feature many of the past and present UFC superstars and UFC champions. Rights also include all other UFC event content including the famed Octagon. Recent UFC live events have experienced sold-out crowds, while the pay-per-view telecasts continue to make the sport available to additional viewers around the country. Based on Nielsen Media Research, the Spike TV reality television series "The Ultimate Fighter®," now heading into its fifth season, received top billing in its first season with the coveted 18-34 male viewers, and regularly enjoys ratings higher than the NBA, NHL, and NASCAR, as well as collegiate football and basketball in this key demographic.
"Ultimate Fighting Championship and THQ represent the perfect marriage of rich content and proven development capabilities," said Kelly Flock, executive vice president of worldwide publishing, THQ. "The UFC brand has seen tremendous growth in recent years with wild popularity among the core gaming demographic. This relationship serves as an extraordinary addition to THQ's world-class license portfolio as we continue to expand our competitive sports offering."
"Interactive is a critical opportunity for us to expand the Ultimate Fighting Championship brand," said Dana White, UFC president. "Our goal for the UFC games is to give our growing, global fan base the opportunity to experience the most exciting live sporting event in the world - the UFC. THQ's unparalleled development and pedigree in the fighting/action-sports genre, in addition to their leading position as a global publisher, makes them our best partner to deliver on this objective."
Under the terms of the agreement, THQ has obtained the rights to create videogames for all current and next-generation consoles, PC and handheld platforms, in addition to certain wireless rights. Rights also include online, downloadable and multi-player capabilities in connection with the various gaming systems.
About The Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship brand is the world's leading professional mixed martial arts organization and offers the premier series of MMA sports events. Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., the UFC organization produces approximately 10 live pay-per-view events annually that are distributed through cable and satellite providers. In addition to its U.S. distribution, UFC fight programs are distributed throughout the world including broadcast on WOWOW, Inc. in Japan, Globosat in Brazil and Bravo in the United Kingdom. For more information, or current UFC fight news, visit www.ufc.com.
Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Ultimate Fighting®, UFC®, The Ultimate Fighter®, Submission®, As Real As It Gets®, Zuffa, The Octagon and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks, trademarks, trade dress or service marks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other marks referenced herein may be the property of Zuffa, LLC or other respective owners
About THQ
THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. 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 and www.thqwireless.com. THQ, THQ Wireless and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.
All other trademarks are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
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 licensing agreement to develop interactive games based on Ultimate Fighting Championship, 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, 2006, 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.