THQ TEAMS UP WITH ZUFFA, LLC TO CREATE VIDEOGAMESBASED ON ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIP
THQ Inc, today announced that it has entered into an exclusive, worldwide agreement with Zuffa
THQ TEAMS UP WITH ZUFFA, LLC TO CREATE VIDEOGAMESBASED ON ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIPR THQ TEAMS UP WITH ZUFFA, LLC TO CREATE VIDEOGAMES BASED ON ULTIMATE FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIPR AGOURA HILLS, Calif., January 16, 2007 -- THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) todayannounced that it has entered into an exclusive, worldwide agreement withZuffa, LLC to publish videogames based on the Ultimate FightingChampionshipR (UFCR) brand through 2011.
Based on the agreement, the videogames will feature many of the past andpresent UFC superstars and UFC champions. Rights also include all other UFCevent content including the famed OctagonT.
Recent UFC live events haveexperienced sold-out crowds, while the pay-per-view telecasts continue tomake the sport available to additional viewers around the country. Based onNielsen Media Research, the Spike TV reality television series "The UltimateFighterR," now heading into its fifth season, received top billing in itsfirst season with the coveted 18-34 male viewers, and regularly enjoysratings higher than the NBA, NHL, and NASCAR, as well as collegiate footballand basketball in this key demographic.
"Ultimate Fighting Championship and THQ represent the perfect marriage ofrich content and proven development capabilities," said Kelly Flock,executive vice president of worldwide publishing, THQ. "The UFC brand hasseen tremendous growth in recent years with wild popularity among the coregaming demographic. This relationship serves as an extraordinary additionto THQ's world-class license portfolio as we continue to expand ourcompetitive sports offering."
"Interactive is a critical opportunity for us to expand the UltimateFighting Championship brand," said Dana White, UFC president. "Our goal forthe UFC games is to give our growing, global fan base the opportunity toexperience the most exciting live sporting event in the world - the UFC.THQ's unparalleled development and pedigree in the fighting/action-sportsgenre, in addition to their leading position as a global publisher, makesthem our best partner to deliver on this objective."
Under the terms of the agreement, THQ has obtained the rights to createvideogames for all current and next-generation consoles, PC and handheldplatforms, in addition to certain wireless rights. Rights also includeonline, downloadable and multi-player capabilities in connection with thevarious gaming systems.
About The Ultimate Fighting ChampionshipThe Ultimate Fighting Championship brand is the world's leading professionalmixed martial arts organization and offers the premier series of MMA sportsevents. Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas,Nev., the UFC organization produces approximately 10 live pay-per-viewevents annually that are distributed through cable and satellite providers.In addition to its U.S. distribution, UFC fight programs are distributedthroughout the world including broadcast on WOWOW, Inc. in Japan, Globosatin Brazil and Bravo in the United Kingdom. For more information, or currentUFC fight news, visit www.ufc.com
Based on the agreement, the videogames will feature many of the past andpresent UFC superstars and UFC champions. Rights also include all other UFCevent content including the famed OctagonT.
Recent UFC live events haveexperienced sold-out crowds, while the pay-per-view telecasts continue tomake the sport available to additional viewers around the country. Based onNielsen Media Research, the Spike TV reality television series "The UltimateFighterR," now heading into its fifth season, received top billing in itsfirst season with the coveted 18-34 male viewers, and regularly enjoysratings higher than the NBA, NHL, and NASCAR, as well as collegiate footballand basketball in this key demographic.
"Ultimate Fighting Championship and THQ represent the perfect marriage ofrich content and proven development capabilities," said Kelly Flock,executive vice president of worldwide publishing, THQ. "The UFC brand hasseen tremendous growth in recent years with wild popularity among the coregaming demographic. This relationship serves as an extraordinary additionto THQ's world-class license portfolio as we continue to expand ourcompetitive sports offering."
"Interactive is a critical opportunity for us to expand the UltimateFighting Championship brand," said Dana White, UFC president. "Our goal forthe UFC games is to give our growing, global fan base the opportunity toexperience the most exciting live sporting event in the world - the UFC.THQ's unparalleled development and pedigree in the fighting/action-sportsgenre, in addition to their leading position as a global publisher, makesthem our best partner to deliver on this objective."
Under the terms of the agreement, THQ has obtained the rights to createvideogames for all current and next-generation consoles, PC and handheldplatforms, in addition to certain wireless rights. Rights also includeonline, downloadable and multi-player capabilities in connection with thevarious gaming systems.
About The Ultimate Fighting ChampionshipThe Ultimate Fighting Championship brand is the world's leading professionalmixed martial arts organization and offers the premier series of MMA sportsevents. Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas,Nev., the UFC organization produces approximately 10 live pay-per-viewevents annually that are distributed through cable and satellite providers.In addition to its U.S. distribution, UFC fight programs are distributedthroughout the world including broadcast on WOWOW, Inc. in Japan, Globosatin Brazil and Bravo in the United Kingdom. For more information, or currentUFC fight news, visit www.ufc.com
Games:
UFC: Sudden Impact