THQ to bring SpongeBob Squarepants to Nintendo Revolution this Fall
2006 Apr 24 THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced its 2006 video game lineup based on Nickelodeon's top brands for kids. The announcement follows the success of THQ's Nickelodeon-branded games, which have shipped more than 40 million units worldwide to date.
Games based on Nickelodeon's highly rated television series "SpongeBob SquarePants™," "Avatar: The Last Airbender™," "Danny Phantom™" and "Unfabulous," as well as a new instalment of Nicktoons, are anticipated to ship across multiple game systems in 2006. THQ is also scheduled to release Barnyard based upon Paramount Pictures'/Nickelodeon Movies' upcoming summer theatrical release.
"THQ's Nickelodeon video game portfolio continues to dominate the kids video game space with nearly 17 million units of SpongeBob-branded games shipped worldwide. Last year's SpongeBob SquarePants: Lights, Camera, PANTS! and Nicktoons Unite! were two of the top video games for kids in 2005," said Kelly Flock, executive vice president of worldwide publishing, THQ. "This year's lineup includes games based upon some of the best loved Nickelodeon shows, as well as several exciting new television and theatrical properties. Nickelodeon fans and kids of all ages can expect to see new features, gameplay and adventures that are sure to provide hours of quality entertainment and loads of fun."
"We look forward to continuing our very successful alliance with THQ in the interactive entertainment market," said Stephen Youngwood, executive vice president, Nickelodeon Digital Media. "This year's lineup gives kids the opportunity to have fun with all their favourite Nickelodeon characters, as well as several of our newest shows and movies."
The 2006 THQ/Nickelodeon video game lineup includes:
SpongeBob SquarePants™: Creature from the Krusty Krab - In a unique and creative twist, SpongeBob SquarePants explores the peculiar world of Bikini Bottom as it transforms through a series of various unique visual styles. Continuing to reign as a top gaming and TV property, SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab offers fans brand new gameplay mechanics through nine visually bizarre levels. Expected for PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo GameCube®, Nintendo Revolution, Game Boy® Advance, Nintendo DS™ and Windows PC this fall.
The 2006 lineup of THQ/Nickelodeon video games is being developed by THQ's Studio System, which includes 14 owned studios and more than 25 of the best independent development teams. THQ's Blue Tongue Entertainment is developing Barnyard and Nicktoons, while THQ's Studio Australia is developing Avatar: The Last Airbender. Independent studio, Blitz Games, is developing SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab. In addition, hand held versions of THQ's entire 2006 Nickelodeon lineup are in development by a number of independent developers including Altron, Natsume, Halfbrick Studios, Wayforward and Tose.
For more information about THQ and Nickelodeon products, as well as THQ's other video games, please visit www.thq.com or www.nick/videogames.com.
About Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products
Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products manages the third largest licensing business in the world and represents such properties as SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer. The department handles the merchandising for Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, Comedy Central, MTVN International, and Spike TV.
Nickelodeon, now in its 27th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 89 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for ten consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B)
About THQ
THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops 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 and www.thqwireless.com. THQ, Blue Tongue Entertainment, THQ Studio Australia and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.
Games based on Nickelodeon's highly rated television series "SpongeBob SquarePants™," "Avatar: The Last Airbender™," "Danny Phantom™" and "Unfabulous," as well as a new instalment of Nicktoons, are anticipated to ship across multiple game systems in 2006. THQ is also scheduled to release Barnyard based upon Paramount Pictures'/Nickelodeon Movies' upcoming summer theatrical release.
"THQ's Nickelodeon video game portfolio continues to dominate the kids video game space with nearly 17 million units of SpongeBob-branded games shipped worldwide. Last year's SpongeBob SquarePants: Lights, Camera, PANTS! and Nicktoons Unite! were two of the top video games for kids in 2005," said Kelly Flock, executive vice president of worldwide publishing, THQ. "This year's lineup includes games based upon some of the best loved Nickelodeon shows, as well as several exciting new television and theatrical properties. Nickelodeon fans and kids of all ages can expect to see new features, gameplay and adventures that are sure to provide hours of quality entertainment and loads of fun."
"We look forward to continuing our very successful alliance with THQ in the interactive entertainment market," said Stephen Youngwood, executive vice president, Nickelodeon Digital Media. "This year's lineup gives kids the opportunity to have fun with all their favourite Nickelodeon characters, as well as several of our newest shows and movies."
The 2006 THQ/Nickelodeon video game lineup includes:
SpongeBob SquarePants™: Creature from the Krusty Krab - In a unique and creative twist, SpongeBob SquarePants explores the peculiar world of Bikini Bottom as it transforms through a series of various unique visual styles. Continuing to reign as a top gaming and TV property, SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab offers fans brand new gameplay mechanics through nine visually bizarre levels. Expected for PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo GameCube®, Nintendo Revolution, Game Boy® Advance, Nintendo DS™ and Windows PC this fall.
The 2006 lineup of THQ/Nickelodeon video games is being developed by THQ's Studio System, which includes 14 owned studios and more than 25 of the best independent development teams. THQ's Blue Tongue Entertainment is developing Barnyard and Nicktoons, while THQ's Studio Australia is developing Avatar: The Last Airbender. Independent studio, Blitz Games, is developing SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature from the Krusty Krab. In addition, hand held versions of THQ's entire 2006 Nickelodeon lineup are in development by a number of independent developers including Altron, Natsume, Halfbrick Studios, Wayforward and Tose.
For more information about THQ and Nickelodeon products, as well as THQ's other video games, please visit www.thq.com or www.nick/videogames.com.
About Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products
Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products manages the third largest licensing business in the world and represents such properties as SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer. The department handles the merchandising for Nick Jr., Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, Comedy Central, MTVN International, and Spike TV.
Nickelodeon, now in its 27th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 89 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for ten consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B)
About THQ
THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops 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 and www.thqwireless.com. THQ, Blue Tongue Entertainment, THQ Studio Australia and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.
