The following is a press release courtesy of JAKKS:
WWE® SmackDown® vs. Raw® 2010 Enters the Virtual Ring with Announcement of Key Features and Franchise Updates
Best-Selling Fighting Videogame Franchise Set to Deliver Unparalleled Creative and Online Freedom, Significant Annual Improvements and Robust Talent Roster
AGOURA HILLS, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) and JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK) today announced the first gameplay details surrounding WWE® SmackDown® vs. Raw® 2010, the 11th edition to the distinguished fighting videogame franchise. Poised to feature the most authentic, entertaining and compelling simulation of WWE programming to date across multiple videogame platforms, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 will introduce inspiring creative and online freedom, significant franchise improvements and a comprehensive roster of today’s most prominent WWE Superstars and Divas. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 is currently in development for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, Wii™ and Nintendo DS™, with a scheduled release date of October 20, 2009.
“WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 will put the power of created freedom and shareable, user-generated content directly into the players’ hands, giving them the ability to control the action beyond anything ever witnessed in WWE programming,” said Brian Coleman, vice president, global brand management, THQ. “Combined with new Road to WrestleMania storylines, an impressive roster and other major franchise updates, including our new gameplay experiences on Wii and Nintendo DS, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 will be the must-have game for players on October 20.”
“WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 is certain to take the renowned WWE SmackDown vs. Raw videogame franchise to the next level,” said Nelo Lucich, senior vice president of interactive, JAKKS Pacific. “The vast array of creative and online options allow players the ability to create their own unique Superstars, right down to their tattoos and customized ring gear, to formulate original finishing moves, to craft their own storylines and then to share it all through the WWE Community Creations interface. The possibilities for total distinctive gameplay are endless for our tremendous fan base around the world.”
About WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 – Creative and Online Freedom
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 will introduce a new Create-a-Superstar Mode, including a fresh look, all-new 3-D parts and improved graphical quality, allowing players to create Superstars and Divas who are comparable in quality with their in-game WWE counterparts. Adding to the creative mix, a new Paint Tool will enable detailed creation of tattoos, logos and other unique designs, while a franchise-first Superstar Threads feature will let players create alternate ring gear for Superstars and Divas by customizing the colors of shirts, pants, face paint, elbow pads, boots and more. The game’s Create-a-Finisher Mode will now let players create acrobatic and gravity-defying diving attacks from the top turnbuckle, as well as move their creations to new heights by adjusting the trajectory. In addition, the mode will deliver an extensive assortment of new moves from the front grapple position.
Taking creativity even further, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 will also mark the debut of the WWE Story Designer. In this new mode, players will embrace a directorial role to create and customize their own storylines and cut scenes, including the ability to select talent and scene locations, write their own dialogue, adjust camera angles, select from over 100 scene animations, determine talent emotions and much more. Players will also be able to construct each night’s show card with matches, unique match stipulations, interference events and other story twists and turns.
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 is set to empower players with not only extensive creative freedom but the ability to share their gameplay experiences as well. For the first time in franchise history, the WWE Community Creations interface will enable players to upload their creations online, including created Superstars and Divas, story designs, finishing moves, entrance movies and highlight reels, and share them with others around the world. Players may also download created content via keyword search engine from other users for use both online and offline. In addition, players will be able to tag their creations with search terms, as well as leave ratings, allowing for ease of use in searching the robust database for the most popular – or even the most obscure – created items.
About WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 – Additional Gameplay Features
In addition to its extensive creative and online offerings, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 will include a number of key franchise updates. The WWE Training Facility will provide players with a franchise-first in-game tutorial, making it simple for both long-time fans and newcomers to get helpful gameplay tips and practice moves with their favorite Superstars and Divas. The game’s Road to WrestleMania story-based mode, introduced last year to high acclaim by consumers and press alike, returns with interactive cut scenes showcased within six brand new storylines, including a Create-a-Superstar storyline and a Divas storyline. In addition, a robust talent roster will include more than 60 playable Superstars and Divas, many of whom will make their videogame debut, as they represent the Raw, SmackDown and ECW® brands. A high-profile soundtrack rounds out the gameplay experience, including “Still Unbroken,” the new single from Lynyrd Skynyrd’s upcoming album, God & Guns, as well as songs from artists such as Skillet, Sick Puppies, Adelita’s Way and Trivium.
About WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 – Wii and Nintendo DS
Delivering a button-based, simulation-style experience for the first time on the platform, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 for Wii will support the Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk™, Classic Controller™ and the Nintendo GameCube™ controller, allowing players to get to the heart of the WWE videogame experience in a number of ways. In addition, the game will offer a broader features list to the Wii gaming audience, including a more robust move set, more match types, Create-a-Superstar, Create-a-Finisher, WWE Story Designer, Road to WrestleMania and more.
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 for Nintendo DS will also offer a more simulation-based experience, introducing streamlined controls that take advantage of the DS directional pad and eliminate use of the stylus. Throughout gameplay, players will earn a variety of collectible cards to gain power-ups and unlock content, including arenas, backstage areas and Superstar profiles. In Story Mode, players will take their created Superstars on an action-packed journey through all WWE brands, participating in training mini-games and interactive cut scenes while earning new moves and customization parts along the way. Rounding out the Nintendo DS experience, a franchise-first Ambulance Match will see players attempt to lock their opponents inside an ambulance to attain victory.
More information about WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 can be found at www.smackdownvsraw.com and www.thq.com.
About World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (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.
About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK) is a leading designer and marketer of toys and consumer products, with a wide range of products that feature some of the most popular children’s toy licenses in the world. JAKKS’ diverse portfolio includes Action Figures, Art Activity Kits, Stationery, Writing Instruments, Performance Kites, Water Toys, Sports Activity Toys, Vehicles, Infant/Pre-School, Plush, Construction Toys, Electronics, Dolls, Dress-Up, Role Play, and Pet Toys and Accessories, sold under various proprietary brands including JAKKS Pacific®, Play Along®, Flying Colors®, Creative Designs International™, Road Champs®, Child Guidance®, Pentech®, Funnoodle®, Go Fly a Kite®, Color Workshop®, JAKKS Pets®, EyeClops®, Plug It In & Play TV Games™, Girl Gourmet®, Kids Only®, Tollytots® and Disguise. JAKKS is an award-winning licensee of several hundred nationally and internationally known trademarks including Disney®, Nickelodeon®, Warner Bros.®, World Wrestling Entertainment®, Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Graco® and Cabbage Patch Kids. JAKKS and THQ Inc. participate in a joint venture that has worldwide rights to publish and market World Wrestling Entertainment video games. For further information, visit www.jakks.com.
Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, copyrights and logos are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
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,” “PLAYSTATION,” “PS” Family logo and “PSP” are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
PSP® system – Memory Stick Duo™ may be required (sold separately).
Wii and Nintendo DS are trademarks of Nintendo.
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 release of the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 videogame, 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 Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2009, and particularly the discussion of 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.
This press release may contain forward–looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about JAKKS Pacific’s business based partly on assumptions made by its management. These statements are not guarantees of 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 statements due to numerous factors, including, but not limited to, those described above, changes in demand for JAKKS’ products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and difficulties with integrating acquired businesses. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and JAKKS undertakes no obligation to update any of them to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.
