THQ and DreamWorks Animation Announce Multi-Year, Multi-Property Video Game License Agreements
12/2/2009
Games Based on DreamWorks Animation Properties to Bolster THQ’s
Kids, Family and Casual Line-up
AGOURA HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 2, 2009--
THQ
Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI) and DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (NASDAQ:DWA)
today announced that they have entered into multi-year, multi-property
licensing agreements granting THQ the exclusive worldwide rights to
develop and publish video games based on DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming
animated feature films, Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom and Puss
In Boots, as well as the popular CG animated television show, The
Penguins of Madagascar.
The new agreements grant THQ exclusive worldwide rights to publish
interactive games based on these DreamWorks Animation properties for all
console and handheld systems, including Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation
Network and Nintendo Wii Virtual Console, and wireless devices.
“The three properties announced today, in addition to MegaMind,
underscore our commitment to reinvigorating our portfolio of licensed
games for kids and families with top global entertainment brands,” said
Doug Clemmer, THQ Executive Vice President, Kids, Family and Casual
Games.
“We are pleased to expand our relationship with THQ and continue to be
impressed by their focus on the kids and family videogame business,”
said Kerry Phelan, Head of Worldwide Consumer Products for DreamWorks
Animation. “We look forward to extending the reach of our feature films
and The Penguins of Madagascar TV series into a broad line of
games and believe THQ will do a great job of maximizing our properties
for family audiences.”
THQ plans to release videogames in conjunction with DreamWorks
Animation’s theatrical releases, as follows:
-
Kung Fu Panda: The Kaboom of Doom, the sequel to the
blockbuster hit, Kung Fu Panda, is scheduled to be released on
June 3, 2011.
-
Puss In Boots, based on one of the most beloved characters in
the Shrek universe, is scheduled to be released on November 4, 2011.
-
THQ previously announced the rights to publish videogames based on MegaMind,
which is scheduled to be released on November 5, 2010.
The popular CG animated television show The Penguins of Madagascar
has been running on Nickelodeon since March 2009 and was recently
extended to add more episodes. THQ expects to publish the first video
games based on The Penguins of Madagascar during its fiscal year
beginning April 1, 2010.
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 throughout North America,
Europe and Asia Pacific. More information about THQ and its products may
be found at www.thq.com.
THQ and its logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.
All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
About DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.
DreamWorks Animation creates high-quality entertainment, including CG
animated feature films, television specials and series, live
entertainment properties and online virtual worlds, meant for audiences
around the world. The Company has world-class creative talent, a strong
and experienced management team and advanced filmmaking technology and
techniques. All of DreamWorks Animation's feature films are now being
produced in 3D. The Company has theatrically released a total of 18
animated feature films, including the franchise properties "Shrek,"
"Madagascar" and "Kung Fu Panda."
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements about THQ
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 for games based on Kung Fu Panda: The
Kaboom of Doom, Puss in Boots (working title), MegaMind, and The
Penguins of Madagascar 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, 2009, 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.
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements about DreamWorks
Animation SKG, Inc.
This document includes certain forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
DreamWorks’ plans, prospects, strategies, proposals and its beliefs and
expectations concerning performance of its current and future releases
and anticipated talent, directors and storyline for its upcoming films
and other projects, constitute forward-looking statements. These
statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and
projections about the industry in which DreamWorks operates and
management's beliefs and assumptions. These statements are not
guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and
assumptions which are difficult to predict. Actual results may vary
materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due
to changes in economic, business, competitive, technological and/or
regulatory factors, and other risks and uncertainties affecting the
operation of the business of DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. These risks
and uncertainties include: audience acceptance of DreamWorks’ film and
other projects, its dependence on the success of a limited number of
releases each year, the increasing cost of producing and marketing
feature films, piracy of motion pictures, resource constraints resulting
from its expanding number of films and other projects, the effect of
rapid technological change or alternative forms of entertainment and its
need to protect its proprietary technology and enhance or develop new
technology. In addition, due to the uncertainties and risks involved in
the development and production of DreamWorks’ projects, the release
dates described in this document may be delayed. For a further list and
description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports filed by
DreamWorks with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its
most recent annual report on Form 10-K and its most recent quarterly
reports on Form 10-Q. DreamWorks is under no obligation to, and
expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.
Source: THQ Inc.
THQ/Investor & Media Relations
Julie MacMedan, 818-871-5125
julie.macmedan@thq.com
or
DreamWorks
Animation Corporate Communications
Shannon Olivas, 818-695-3658
shannon.olivas@dreamworks.com
