THQ Teams up With Vodafone to Pioneer Juiced

THQ Inc., today announced it has signed a major agreement with Vodafone, one of the world's largest mobile network operators.

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THQ Teams up With Vodafone to Pioneer Juiced
This innovative agreement is set to include Vodafone live! in the video-game Juiced for PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the Xbox® videogame console from Microsoft and PC systems. This is the first time that a mobile operator brand is fully integrated into a mass market game allowing players to both use mobile phones as part of the game action as well as download the game via their mobiles. Through this integration, thousands of gamers around the world will potentially see will the Vodafone live! logo within the game.

Juiced is the only racing simulation that totally immerses players in the lifestyle and culture of the real street car-modification scene. Players aim is to build up your own crew of 'driving gods' and dominate the established street racing scene of Angel City. By showing off your modding and driving skills, you'll gain 'Respect' from the rival crew chiefs, and will soon be invited to their race events, challenge them to race 'for pinks' via video calling and bet against them for cash. As your notoriety grows, new drivers will call you up to ask to join your crew, opening up the never before seen 'crew races' where your skills at managing your drivers while you race are key to beating your rival crews.

The main information channel within the game for players to get their news and race challenges is through the use of mobile phones. Six handsets have been positioned within the "modding" section of the game. When the user "mods" his car with engine upgrades, new stereo, new paint job they can also select which phone to use to communicate with crews between races.

Users can select from 6 Vodafone handsets; Prominent Vodafone live! Logos displayed throughout the game: Users will see the live! Logo all the time: Choose a specific Vodafone handset so that this is the phone that will be displayed when other crew members are calling you in the game.

Additionally, under the terms of the agreement, THQ Wireless' version of Juiced will be available for download by Vodafone's consumers in sixteen countries worldwide. Gameplay will be similar to the console games - where gamers can experience a thrilling simulation of street racing on their mobile phone, as well as being able to modify cars, adorn and spraypaint them, and race for the respect of fellow Juicers.

Adam Comiskey, General Manager, THQ Wireless said: "This is a significant agreement for THQ Wireless and a strong endorsement of the quality of THQ console and wireless game alike."

Tim Harrison, Head of Games for Vodafone Group, said "Juiced is the first Gold game released under Vodafone's new Global Games Marketing and Distribution Program announced last month. The title represents an unrivalled opportunity to reach out to our customers, and to maximise the brand and marketing synergies across the title's release in Europe."

Juiced is scheduled for launch on PlayStation 2 and Xbox consoles as well as exclusively on Vodafone live! from the end of May 2005. For more information please go to http://www.juiced-racing.com
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