WWE™ Wrestling Game Brings New Life to the Ring with Refined Online Play and Added Realism

News by GamesIndustry International Contributor

Published on July 6, 2005

CALABASAS HILLS, Calif., July 6, 2005 - THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) and JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK) today announced the development of the newest World Wrestling Entertainment^® (NYSE: WWE) licensed video game, WWE SmackDown!^TM Vs. RAW^® 2006 for the PlayStation^®2 computer entertainment system, scheduled for release globally in the fall of 2005.

"WWE SmackDown! Vs. RAW 2006 showcases all of the excitement and energy of the WWE," said Peter Dille, senior vice president of worldwide marketing, THQ. "The WWE is one of the premier franchises in the industry and this title is primed to deliver the most intense wrestling gameplay along with true-to-life graphics, resulting in the deepest and most realistic wrestling experience ever."

"WWE SmackDown! Vs. RAW 2006 combines online gaming elements and new features, allowing gamers to have more control over Superstar energy levels throughout the game play in order to deliver the ultimate wrestling experience," said Nelo Lucich, vice president of interactive, JAKKS Pacific. "We're confident that this title has been crafted to offer the best WWE action to date."

Building upon the success of last year's WWE SmackDown! Vs. RAW, which shipped more than two million units worldwide, WWE SmackDown! Vs. RAW 2006 adds all new features, while refining what made the original a hit with both wrestling fans and casual gamers alike. The newly created "Momentum System" will recreate the real life emotional peaks and valleys of an actual wrestling match, while the addition of a "Stamina System" will force players to play more strategically by conserving their energy in order to maintain stamina throughout the duration of a match. WWE SmackDown! Vs. RAW 2006 will also feature an extensive online component, creating a virtual WWE community where fans can face-off in intense wrestling competition.

About World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE) is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto and London. Additional information on the company can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. Information on television ratings and community activities can be found at parents.wwe.com.

About JAKKS Pacific

JAKKS Pacific, Inc. is a multi-brand company that designs and markets a broad range of toys and consumer products. The product categories include: Action Figures, Art Activity Kits, Stationery, Writing Instruments, Performance Kites, Water Toys, Sports Activity Toys, Vehicles, Infant/Pre-School, Plush, Construction Toys, Electronics, Dolls and Pet Toys and Accessories. The products are sold under various brand names including JAKKS Pacific^®, Play Along^®, Flying Colors^®, Road Champs^®, Child Guidance^®, Pentech^®, Trendmasters^®, Toymax^®, Funnoodle^®, Go Fly a Kite^®, Color Workshop^®, Pet Pal^TM and Plug It In & Play TV Games^TM. The Company also participates in a joint venture with THQ Inc. that has exclusive worldwide rights to publish and market World Wrestling Entertainment^® video games. For further information, visit www.jakkspacific.com or www.tvgames.com.

About THQ

THQ Inc. (Nasdaq: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Korea and Australia. 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.

Trademark Statement

The names of all World Wrestling Entertainment televised and live programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans and wrestling moves and all World Wrestling Entertainment logos are trademarks which are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

"PlayStation" is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

This press release may contain "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"), and are based upon management's 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 economic, competitive and technological factors affecting the operations, markets, products, and pricing of THQ. 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 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 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2004, and particularly the discussion of risk factors that may affect results of operations set forth therein.Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.

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