{"id":14725,"date":"2011-08-10T19:03:16","date_gmt":"2011-08-10T09:03:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/power-up.space\/?p=14725"},"modified":"2011-08-10T19:03:16","modified_gmt":"2011-08-10T09:03:16","slug":"thq-announces-internal-studios-realignment-to-focus-on-key-strategic-initiatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.impulsegamer.com\/wordpress\/?p=14725","title":{"rendered":"THQ ANNOUNCES INTERNAL STUDIOS REALIGNMENT TO FOCUS ON KEY STRATEGIC INITIATIVES"},"content":{"rendered":"

Company Increases Emphasis on High Potential Categories; Reduces Focus on Kids and Movie-Based Licensed Titles for Consoles<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n

AGOURA HILLS, Calif., August 9, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE)<\/strong> \u2013 THQ Inc.<\/a>, (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced a strategic realignment of its internal studio development teams to better align resources with the company\u2019s future portfolio of interactive entertainment.\u00a0 THQ is in the process of transitioning its portfolio away from licensed kids titles and movie-based entertainment properties for consoles and has also decided not to actively pursue further development of the MX vs. ATV franchise at this time.\u00a0 As a result, the company announced the closure of two studios in Australia, and the elimination of a development team at the company\u2019s Phoenix location.\u00a0 The company is maintaining its Quality Assurance team in Phoenix.<\/p>\n

THQ\u2019s five internal development studios are focused on key initiatives and franchises: THQ Montreal<\/strong>, creating an unannounced new IP with a team led by industry veteran, Patrice D\u00e9silets; Volition, Inc.<\/strong>, developing the highly anticipated upcoming game Saints Row\u00ae: The Third,\u2122 <\/em>and inSANE\u2122<\/em> in collaboration with renowned film director Guillermo del Toro; Relic Entertainment<\/strong>, creators of Company of Heroes<\/em> <\/strong>and the upcoming Warhammer 40,000\u00ae: Space Marine\u2122<\/em> for PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system; Vigil Games<\/strong>, developing Darksiders\u00ae II<\/em> and next year\u2019s MMO Warhammer 40,000: Dark Millennium Online\u2122<\/em>; and THQ San Diego<\/strong>, developers of WWE All Stars<\/em> and creating best-in-class fighting games.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s actions will result in a personnel reduction of approximately 200 people.\u00a0 All affected employees are eligible to apply for open positions within the company globally.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWith this realignment, we are narrowing our focus to high-quality owned IP with broad appeal that can be leveraged across multiple platforms, and to work with the best talent in the industry. By right-sizing our internal development capacities for our console portfolio, our five internal studios are focused on delivering high-quality games with talented teams driving the execution of those titles to market,\u201d said Brian Farrell, President and CEO, THQ. \u201cAs we have outlined in our business strategies, we are making shifts to reduce movie-based and licensed kids\u2019 video games in our portfolio, which underscores our strategy to move away from games that will not generate strong profits in the future.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Farrell added, \u201cWe will continue to evaluate our capital and resources to concentrate on fast growing digital business initiatives such as social games, mobile and tablet -based digital entertainment.\u201d<\/p>\n

The company has recently outlined its four-pillar digital strategy: 1) create a digital ecosystem around key console title launches such as the scheduled November 15, 2011 release of Saints Row: The Third<\/em>, which includes plans for a robust DLC schedule, online Season Pass, and in-game store for consumables; 2) create a critical mass of users on social media platforms such as Facebook and mobile platforms, including iOS and Android\u2122, using THQ-owned or branded content, such as the upcoming fall release of Margaritaville\u00ae Online<\/em>, based on Jimmy Buffett\u2019s popular brand; 3)\u00a0 create an ongoing digital revenue stream with the launch of the company\u2019s MMO, Warhammer 40,000: Dark Millennium\u2122 Online<\/em>; and 4) continue to drive digital end-user sales through existing channels as well as through the upcoming re-launch of THQ.com.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Company Increases Emphasis on High Potential Categories; Reduces Focus on Kids and Movie-Based Licensed Titles for Consoles\u00a0 AGOURA HILLS, Calif., August 9, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) \u2013 THQ Inc., (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced a strategic realignment of its internal studio development teams to better align resources with the company\u2019s future portfolio of interactive entertainment.\u00a0 THQ is<\/p>\n

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