Profile: THQ Inc (THQI.O)

THQ Inc. (THQ), incorporated in 1989, is a worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for all game systems, including home video game consoles, such as Microsoft Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, Sony PlayStation 3 and Sony PlayStation 2; handheld platforms, such as Nintendo Dual Screen, Sony portable entertainment system (PSP system) and wireless devices, and Personal computers (including games played online). Its titles span a range of categories, including action, adventure, fighting, racing, role-playing, simulation, sports and strategy. The Company’s portfolio of licensed properties includes World Wrestling Entertainment and the Ultimate Fighting Championship; kids and family brands such as DreamWorks Animation, Disney•Pixar, Marvel Entertainment and Nickelodeon; core gamer brand Warhammer 40,000. The Company develops also develop games based including Company of Heroes, DeBlob, Frontlines, MX vs. ATV, Red Faction and Saints Row. In June 2009, the Company formed three business units: Core Games; Kids, Family and Casual Games, and Online.

The Company develops its products using both internal and external development resources. The internal resources consist of producers, game designers, software engineers, artists, animators and game testers located within its Internal development studios and corporate headquarters. The external development resources consist of third-party software developers and other independent resources such as artists, voice-over actors and composers. THQ refers to this group of development resources as its Studio System.

Its global sales network includes offices throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. In the United States and Canada, it markets and distributes games directly to mass merchandisers, consumer electronic stores, discount warehouses and other national retail chain stores. Internationally, the Company markets and distributes games on a direct-to-retail basis in the territories where it has a direct sales force and to a lesser extent, in the territories where it does not have a direct sales force, third parties distribute its games. THQ develops, markets and sells video games and other interactive software and content for console platforms, handheld platforms and personal computers and online.

The Company competes with Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, Activision, Atari, Electronic Arts, LucasArts, Namco, Sega, Take-Two Interactive Software and Ubisoft.