Andre Yoskowitz
16 Jan 2012 22:01
Over the weekened, IGDA's Kevin Dent posted that video game developer THQ was cancelling its entire 2014 lineup, due to financial troubles.
The news would have been notable because the highly-anticipated "Warhammer 40,000: Dark Millennium Online" would have been cancelled, as well.
Dent's Tweet had read: "Apparently, The Game Workshops MMO has been cancelled by THQ because the company needs to preserve cash." Dent would then go on to say that the company was offering itself up for sale to Asian firms.
THQ was quick to respond, stating:
THQ has not cancelled its 2014 line-up, and has not made any decisions regarding the planned MMO.
As part of the ongoing review of our business, we have made decisions to ensure that the company is strategically addressing the most attractive markets. As we have previously announced, we have dramatically reduced our commitment to the kids' boxed games sector which leads to a significantly more focused release schedule moving forward. Our slate for calendar 2012 and beyond is focused on high-quality core games and continues to build our digital platform and business. We are excited for our pipeline of original and high-quality content along with our relationships with some of the best talent in the industry.
Additionally, we are thrilled with the great performance of Saints Row: The Third, which on a like for like period in North America has tripled in sell-through from Saints Row 2. In addition, WWE '12's worldwide sell-through sales are up almost 40 percent year-over-year for the same sales period with fewer platforms.
According to NPD, for the month of December and the 2011 year, THQ was the number five publisher overall, number four third party, with reported sell through growing over 18 percent in a market that was down almost 6 percent. And coming up next, we have two great titles for the first half of the year including UFC Undisputed 3 and Darksiders 2.