WWE sent out the following today…
WWE® All Stars™ Playable Demo Now Available on Xbox LIVE for Xbox 360 and PlayStation®Network
High-Flying New Release Set to Deliver Incomparable Roster of WWE Legends and WWE Superstars, High Impact Action and Colorful Style
THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced a playable demo for WWE® All Stars?, the ibrant, high impact and energetic new release from the company’s renowned WWE videogame portfolio, is now available for download on Xbox LIVE® for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, as well as the PlayStation®Network for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.
“Our playable demo for WWE All Stars will give players a tremendous opportunity to experience an original style of WWE gameplay centered around two incredible talent in Ultimate Warrior and Rey Mysterio,” said Danny Bilson, Executive Vice President, Core Games, THQ. “This videogame is fun, intuitive and very approachable, and we believe our core WWE SmackDown® vs. Raw® fans, WWE enthusiasts and casual followers alike will respond very favorably to this unique and fresh take on the virtual WWE experience.”
Featuring WWE Superstar Rey Mysterio® and legendary competitor Ultimate Warrior and in a classic Exhibition match in the All Stars Arena, players will experience the wide range of techniques, strengths and advantages represented by two of the four unique character classes available in WWE All Stars. Competing as a Brawler, Ultimate Warrior will be a master of striking and stringing together powerful combination sequences, including unblockable charged strikes that lead to grapples and juggling opportunities. Brawlers also have an increased range on their strikes, making the class the most balanced to play in WWE All Stars. As an Acrobat, players competing as Rey Mysterio will experience lightning fast, high-flying action. Acrobats can spring off ring ropes to perform attacks, as well as run and jump on turnbuckles in a flash. They will also move faster than their opponents, and their aerial moves will connect with pinpoint accuracy.
WWE All Stars is currently in development for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system and the Wii? system from Nintendo, with a scheduled release date of March 29, 2011.
About WWE All Stars
The revolutionary new addition to THQ’s distinguished WWE videogame portfolio and debut release from THQ San Diego, WWE All Stars will bridge generations with a fun, fresh and fast-paced experience inside the virtual ring. Delivering one of the greatest rosters ever assembled in a WWE videogame, WWE All Stars will include current-day WWE Superstars and legendary talent such as John Cena®, The Rock®, Andre the Giant, Triple H®, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, The Miz®, Stone Cold Steve Austin®, Rey Mysterio, and for the first time ever in a THQ-produced WWE videogame, “Macho Man” Randy Savage. Each roster member will boast a distinctive and highly stylized appearance, adding to the overall atmosphere and attitude exuding from the on-screen action.
WWE All Stars will encompass a fun, intuitive and approachable gameplay style, creating a highly competitive environment and an engaging spectacle. Packed with high-flying and hard-hitting action, players will explore a variety of responsive quick and strong grapples, standing and running attacks, as well as combination sequences. Everyone on the power-packed roster will be equipped with individual abilities, signature moves and renowned finishers to create the ultimate in-ring experience. In addition, offering four classes of competitor – Acrobat, Big Man, Brawler and Grappler – WWE All Stars will provide players with WWE Legends and WWE Superstars who have distinct advantages and techniques to which other classes do not have access, including specific combinations and unique abilities.
WWE All Stars will also set up the notion that the greatest matchups in WWE history may not have happened yet – until now. In Fantasy Warfare Mode, players will pick a side – WWE Legends or WWE Superstars – and compete in a series of fantasy matches that pit WWE talent with similar personal or in-ring attributes against one another to determine the greatest of all time. Informative and engaging video packages produced by WWE will set up each of the pairings and match objectives.
For more information on WWE All Stars, please visit http://www.wweallstars.com, facebook.com/WWEgames and twitter.com/WWEgames.
About WWE
WWE, a publicly traded company (NYSE: WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly, PG content across all of its platforms including television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing. WWE programming is broadcast in more than 145 countries and 30 languages and reaches more than 500 million homes worldwide. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo. Additional information on WWE (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.
About THQ Inc.
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.
Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, the Xbox logos, and the Xbox LIVE logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.
PlayStation is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Wii is a trademark of Nintendo.
THQ Forward-Looking Statements: 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 playable demo for WWE All Stars 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 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2010 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and particularly the discussion of trends and 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.
Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, logos and copyrights are the exclusive property of WWE and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
WWE Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television distribution agreements; the need for continually developing creative and entertaining programming; the continued importance of key performers and the services of Vincent McMahon; the conditions of the markets in which we compete; acceptance of the Company’s brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to regulatory and litigation matters; risks resulting from the highly competitive nature of our markets; the importance of protecting our intellectual property and complying with the intellectual property rights of others; risks associated with producing live events both domestically and internationally; uncertainties associated with international markets; risks relating to our film business and any new business initiative which we may undertake; risks relating to the large number of shares of common stock controlled by members of the McMahon family; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition, our dividend is significant and is dependent on a number of factors, including, among other things, our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan (including alternative uses of capital), our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends, general economic and competitive conditions and such other factors as our Board of Directors may consider relevant, including a waiver by the McMahon family of a portion of the dividends.