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THQ AND NICKELODEON TO UNVEIL TAK AND THE POWER OF JUJU AT ELECTRONIC ENTERTAINMENT EXPO

 

First Property in Original Videogame Publishing Agreement Scheduled for Playstation®2 and GameCube™ Release in 2003

 

Los Angeles, Calif. – Electronic Entertainment Expo - May 21, 2002 - THQ Inc. (NASDAQ NMS: THQI) and Nickelodeon today announced that they will unveil the original character-based action-adventure videogame Tak and The Power of JuJu (working title) at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles.  Beginning tomorrow, a Tak and the Power of Juju game trailer will be showcased in THQ’s booth in Petree Hall of the Los Angeles Convention Center. 

 

Tak and The Power of JuJu is the first property under the previously announced THQ-Nickelodeon relationship dedicated to creating, developing and publishing original videogame content with multi-media franchise potential through Nickelodeon’s television, movie, online, magazine and consumer product division.   The game, created and developed by Avalanche Software, is scheduled for release on the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system and GameCube™ in 2003. 

 

“E3 is the seminal event for the interactive entertainment industry, providing the perfect platform to launch our first completely original game with Nickelodeon,” stated Jeff Lapin, Vice Chairman and COO, THQ.  “We look forward to introducing Tak and his magical, vibrant world to the gaming, retail, media, and investment communities over the next three days.”

 

"Our relationship with THQ enables us to create truly multi-media properties that appeal to kids of all ages,” said Albie Hecht, Nickelodeon’s President of Film and TV Entertainment.  “What we have seen so far of Tak and the Power of Juju is a top-quality interactive experience featuring a compelling story, adventure and humor.” 

 

“We are proud of Tak and the Power of Juju, a delightful, colorful game with gorgeous, dynamic environments and funny, appealing characters,” said John Blackburn, Chief Executive Officer, Avalanche Software.  “We are so pleased that publishing powerhouse THQ and the creative visionaries at Nickelodeon are bringing our vision to market.  With that caliber of expertise behind it, we are confident the property can become a successful entertainment franchise.” 

 

Tak and The Power of JuJu is a humorous 3D action adventure that takes place in an ancient, tribal world where juju magic actually works.  The main character, Tak, evolves from a clumsy shaman’s apprentice into an unlikely hero when he must save his village from the ill-tempered sorcerer, Tlaloc.   

 

Tak and The Power of JuJu is also scheduled for release for Game Boy Advance in 2003. 

 About Nickelodeon:

Nickelodeon, now in its 23rd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in more than 84 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic-cable network for more than six consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.

 

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 Computer Entertainment America Inc., Nintendo and Microsoft. The THQ web site is located at www.thq.com. #  #  #