View source for Press release: 2002-02-04: THQ and Sega Ship ''SONIC ADVANCE,'' ''COLUMNS CROWN'' and ''PUYO POP'' for Game Boy Advance

{{PressRelease|source=[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ The Free Library]|language=English}}


<pre>THQ and Sega Ship ''SONIC ADVANCE,'' ''COLUMNS CROWN'' and ''PUYO POP'' for Game Boy Advance; First Three Games in Multi-title, Co-Publishing Agreement Between THQ and Sega

CALABASAS HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 4, 2002

THQ Inc. (Nasdaq: THQI) and Sega Corporation today announced that the first three titles in their exclusive, multi-title Game Boy(R) Advance co-publishing agreement, "SONIC ADVANCE"(TM), "COLUMNS CROWN"(TM) and "PUYO POP"(TM), have shipped to retail.

Under the agreement between the two companies, THQ will co-publish 16 Game Boy Advance titles featuring SEGA(R) brands through March 2003 throughout North America.

"THQ has been the number one independent publisher on Game Boy platforms for the past six years(a) and these three titles are an excellent start to our relationship with Sega," said Alison Locke, executive vice president, North American Publishing, THQ. "Continuing to deliver high quality content from world class game designers such as Sega is key to our strategy to maintain our leadership position in the handheld category through 2002 and beyond."

"Working together with THQ, Sega is pleased to bring Sonic(TM) and other popular Sega franchises to the Game Boy Advance," said Charles Bellfield, vice president strategic planning and corporate affairs. "Combining Sega's creative content and THQ's leading market position on the platform, this alliance will help us continue to deliver the Sega experience to an even wider audience of gamers."

"SONIC ADVANCE" marks the 2D return of Sega's mascot Sonic the Hedgehog(R). Players must solve puzzles and avoid traps to foil Dr. Eggman's evil plot with the help of Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, or Amy. For the first time ever, players will be able to connect their Game Boy Advance to their Nintendo Gamecube(TM) system thanks to the innovative link feature found in "SONIC ADVANCE" and Sega's "SONIC ADVENTURE(TM) 2 BATTLE" for Nintendo Gamecube. "SONIC ADVENTURE 2 BATTLE" will be available on February 12.

In the classic puzzle game "COLUMNS CROWN," players collect magic gems in order to score points. Players can compete in single player mode or take part in two-player action via the Game Boy Advance Game Link. "PUYO POP" is another addictive puzzle game that challenges players to clear their screen of Puyo. Up to four players can battle it out with the Game Boy Advance Game Link.

The next three titles to release under the agreement between THQ and Sega will be "BASEBALL ADVANCE"(TM), available this spring for the start of the 2002 season; "THE PINBALL OF THE DEAD"(TM), available this summer; and "SMASH PACK"(TM), a collection of SEGA classics that will also be available this summer.

About Sega

Sega of America ("Sega") is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based Sega Corporation, a 3.5 billion corporation by market capitalization, recognized as a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Sega's Web site is located at www.sega.com.

Note: "BASEBALL ADVANCE," "BASEBALL ADVANCE" (and Design) and other marks, such as SEGA are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sega Corporation.

About THQ

THQ Inc. develops and publishes interactive entertainment software worldwide for a variety of hardware platforms including PC CD-ROM, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft. The THQ web site is located at www.thq.com.

(a)According to NPD TRSTS

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about THQ's business based, in part, on assumptions made by its management. These statements are not guarantees of THQ's future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including, but not limited to, those described above and the following: changes in demand for THQ's products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the impact of competitive products and pricing and difficulties encountered in the integration of acquired businesses. In addition, such statements could be affected by growth rates and market conditions relating to the interactive software industry and general domestic and international economic conditions. Specific information concerning these and other such factors is contained in THQ's current report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 21, 2001. A copy of this filing may be obtained by contacting THQ or the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and THQ does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

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