Tuesday, June 29, 2010

DISCOVER THE POWER OF BENDING WITH THQ’S RELEASE OF

THE LAST AIRBENDER VIDEO GAME



Control the Elements in This Epic Adventure Game Based on

Paramount Pictures’ and Nickelodeon Movies’ Live-Action Film by M. Night Shyamalan

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AGOURA HILLS, Calif. – June 29, 2010 – THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced the release of The Last Airbender video game throughout North America exclusively for Wii™, Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DS™ systems. Based on the highly anticipated live-action adventure film from acclaimed director M. Night Shyamalan, The Last Airbender video game brings the world of bending to life as it invites players to relive the movie’s epic adventure from the perspective of Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation. The game, which features voice-over and likeness from Academy Award® nominee Dev Patel (Prince Zuko), newcomer Noah Ringer (Aang), and Aasif Mandavi (Zhao), also includes never-before-seen in-game cinematics and levels that extend the story and expand the thrills beyond what is shown in the film.



The Last Airbender video game is rated T for teen (Wii) and E10+ for everyone 10 and older (Nintendo DSi/DS) and is available at the suggested retail prices of $39.99 (Wii) and $29.99 (Nintendo DSi/DS). The game will also be available throughout parts of Europe and Asia in the coming months.



“The Last Airbender is more than your average movie-based video game,” said Luis Gigliotti, creative director of The Last Airbender, THQ Studios Australia. “Designed specifically for the Nintendo systems, we fully utilized the Wii technology to enhance graphical presentation and gameplay mechanics to take this genre of video game to a whole new level.”



“THQ has produced one of the most beautifully rendered video game adaptations of a film to date with The Last Airbender,” said Manuel Torres, Senior Vice President, Global Toys, Video Games & Consumer Electronics Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products. “The interactive environments and bending abilities truly capture the essence, tone and exciting elements of the anticipated movie.”



About The Last Airbender Video Game

The Last Airbender video game revisits captivating, climactic scenes from the film while providing the player a much more in-depth experience. The game is told from the unique perspective of the antagonist Zuko, exiled prince of the Fire Nation, who embarks on a personal quest to capture the Avatar, a young boy named Aang, in order to regain his father’s honor. Players will be able to embody three playable characters – Aang, Zuko and the Blue Spirit – and participate in epic battles, hand-to-hand combat and various intense challenges throughout the game. Utilizing the Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk™ controllers, players will discover and master their bending powers by performing special hand movements that are specific to their character’s abilities. The interactive, action adventure game, will allow players to learn how to manipulate air and fire, creating destructive forces such as Air Vortexes, Tornadoes, Fire Balls, and Fire Bombs, to take down enemies and progress through the game in order to fulfill their destiny.



For more information about The Last Airbender video game, please visit www.thq.com.



About The Last Airbender Film

Air, Water, Earth, Fire. Four nations tied by destiny when the Fire Nation launches a brutal war against the others. A century has passed with no hope in sight to change the path of this destruction. Caught between combat and courage, Aang (Noah Ringer) discovers he is the lone Avatar with the power to manipulate all four elements. Aang teams with Katara (Nicola Peltz), a Waterbender, and her brother, Sokka (Jackson Rathbone), to restore balance to their war-torn world.



Based on the hugely successful Nickelodeon animated TV series, the live-action feature film “The Last Airbender” is the opening chapter in Aang’s struggle to survive.



About Paramount Pictures

Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. The company's labels include Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Digital Entertainment, Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., Paramount Studio Group, and Worldwide Television Distribution.



About Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon, now in its 30th 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 almost 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 15 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon, The Last Airbender and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom 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 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 the THQ logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.



Wii, Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi are trademarks of Nintendo.



All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.



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 related to the The Last Airbender video game, 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, 2010, 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.

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