THQ News, THQ Features

Gavel gazing

Death’s gigantic hammer has fallen on deceased publisher THQ’s remaining assets, deeming Nordic Games the new owner of Darksiders, Red Faction, and various other properties. The publisher paid a whopping $4.9 million for the assortment pack of IP, also grabbing MX vs. ATV, Destroy All Humans, and Marvel Super Hero Squad in the...

Blood, sweat, and tiny pants

While the majority of THQ’s franchises found new homes yesterday, there’s still been no official word on the future of the WWE license. Early rumours suggested that EA had picked up the lucrative contract, but that’s been countered by an IGN report which claims that Take Two made a last minute bid for the series...

Thanks for the memories

The auction for THQ’s assets has concluded, with the publisher closing up shop as a result. After a gruelling 22 hour auction process, intermediaries decided that individual bids would net a greater cash return for the debt riddled company, resulting in the demise of the once prolific publisher. The new owners of many of...

Grand theft auto

As we type, various companies and venture capitalists are picking at the bones of fallen publisher THQ. The organisation’s assets are being auctioned off individually, meaning it’s entirely possible that the likes of Homefront, Red Faction, and

Apocalyptic addition

THQ may be on the cusp of commercial collapse, but that’s not stopping the publisher from giving away complimentary copies of the original Darksiders to North American PlayStation Plus subscribers. Assuming you’re a member, you’ll be able to grab the title for free from later today. Other goodies include a 50 per cent...

Open your cheque book

Ever since creditors complained about THQ's quick sale to equity firm Clearlake Capital, things have gone from bad to worse for the embattled publisher. What initially seemed like a crafty way of protecting the company as on ongoing concern has quickly transformed into a bidding war for the firm’s most valuable assets – and...

Scratches head

Who fancies some serious legal mumbo jumbo before bed? THQ’s attempt at a quick sale to equity firm Clearlake Capital has been blocked following complaints from irked creditors. Earlier this week, the miffed parties noted that the proposed takeover had been purposely designed to minimise disruption, rather than maximise debt...

Assassin's greed

There’s just enough time for one more rumour before the games industry closes down for Christmas. According to sources close to MCV, Ubisoft is plotting a bid for THQ’s assets. If successful, the French company would control all of the struggling publisher’s studios and intellectual property, including franchises such as...

Oh no

The writing’s been on the wall for a while, but publisher THQ has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy today. The company’s currently in the process of selling all of its assets to Clearlake Capital Group, a private equity firm. Once complete, Clearlake will control “THQ's operating business, including THQ's four owned studios and games in...

Gulp

Things sure aren't looking particularly rosy for troubled publisher THQ. Despite cutting its operating losses to $19 million compared to last year's terrifying $97 million, the company still can't catch a break. During a financial briefing earlier this evening, the organisation reported net sales of $107 million – before delaying its entire...

Hellish hearth

Death will reign once again this Hallowe’en, when THQ deploys Darksiders 2’s second big chunk of DLC. The cryptically titled Abyssal Forge will be available on PlayStation 3 from 30th October in North America. Those of you living overseas will have an extra day to prepare for the apocalyptic arrival, when the content appears on...

Light the way

Developer 4A Games has decided to scrap Metro: Last Light’s multiplayer component, opting to concentrate its resources on creating an exceptional single-player campaign instead. The competitive mode was revealed shortly after the game’s initial announcement – a move that the studio feels was “probably a mistake”. "Throughout...

Bulging package

If you still haven’t snapped up THQ’s nonsense sandbox sequel Saints Row: The Third, then the publisher hopes to make things really simple for you this November. It’s announced a complete edition of the year-old adventure, containing the original game alongside a wealth of expansion packs. As part of the collection you’ll...

Not exactly crazy

In arguably the most unsurprising turn of events, THQ has ceased development on Guillermo Del Toro's inSANE and returned the rights to the Mexican director. The information was announced during THQ’s quarterly financial call overnight, in which the troubled publisher actually exceeded expectations. It recorded a net income of...

At Death's door

THQ might not have much money left in the bank, but it’s still got enough to plop a dramatisation of the apocalypse in between Coronation Street. This new Darksiders II television spot shows protagonist Death riding into oncoming traffic, while people run for their lives. We don’t know what’s wrong with them, really – the...

'Til death do us part

With Death’s arrival imminent on PlayStation 3, THQ has released a brand new in-engine trailer depicting what the apocalypse will look like when Darksiders II rides into retail next month. The melodramatic short shows off plenty of gameplay footage, but if you’re still not sold on the sought after sequel, check out our...

Sounds like Death itself, supposedly

Sumthing Else Music Works and THQ have announced that the upcoming Darksiders II will be receiving its very own two-disc soundtrack for you to listen while you're not riding into battle and restoring mankind. The soundtrack will feature scores by Assassin's Creed and Hitman composer, Jesper Kyd, whose...

Where the heart is

THQ has kindly signed the rights to Devil’s Third back to its creator Valhalla Game Studios. Chatting with Eurogamer.net, the troubled publisher confirmed the news: “All of the game's IP rights have been returned to [founder Tomonobu] Itagaki and the Valhalla team.” The publisher revealed last month that it would not...

Exit the dominatrix

THQ has announced that its standalone expansion Saints Row: The Third – Enter the Dominatrix is no more. The disc-based add-on had been planned for a September release, but will now be folded into the “The Next Great Sequel in the Saints Row Franchise”. That's due out next year. New president Jason Rubin explained the...