THQ and Volition Announce `Red Faction 2'

Sequel to Best-Selling, Critically Acclaimed Action Game Scheduled to Ship Winter 2002

 

CALABASAS HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 25, 2002--THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI - news) today announced ``Red Faction(TM) 2'' for the PlayStation® 2 computer entertainment system. Developed by THQ's studio, Volition, ``Red Faction 2'' is the sequel to one of the best-selling and most critically acclaimed original game franchises of 2001.

More than 1 million units of ``Red Faction'' on PlayStation 2 and PC have been sold worldwide according to THQ. Featuring an enhanced Geo-Mod(TM) engine that allows players to strategically alter and destroy the game environment in real-time, ``Red Faction 2'' expands and builds upon the experience and technology of the original game. Complete with blistering action, an engaging storyline, highly detailed graphics and a number of multi-player options, ``Red Faction 2'' is scheduled for PlayStation 2 release in winter 2002.

``The overwhelming success of `Red Faction' last summer firmly placed THQ and Volition among the top original content creators on PlayStation 2,'' stated Brian Farrell, president and CEO, THQ. ``We are delighted to be building on this franchise for holiday 2002, a time when the PlayStation 2 hardware will be reaching a critical installed base.''

```Red Faction 2' will take the action genre to new heights, thanks to innovations in both game design and technology,'' said Mike Kulas, president, Volition. ``The enhancements we've made to the Geo-Mod engine will allow players to completely interact with a game world, where destroying and altering the environment become an integral part of gameplay.''

About ``Red Faction 2''

``Red Faction 2'' is the sequel to one of the biggest original franchise releases of 2001. Powered by enhancements to Volition's revolutionary Geo-Mod engine that allows players to alter and destroy the game environment in real-time, ``Red Faction 2'' introduces a host of new features and improvements constructed around a gripping storyline. Players will be tasked with completing multiple mission objectives with an arsenal of weapons and items at their disposal.

``Red Faction 2'' will also allow players to commandeer different vehicles and fight alongside elite squad members each with their own attack attributes. Refined graphics, an auto-save function, enhanced enemy AI and dynamic environments will also be featured in ``Red Faction 2.'' New additions to the game's multi-player action include four-player split screen, customizable computer opponents, and new game modes.

About Volition

Located in Champaign, Illinois, Volition is one of THQ's premier internal game development studios responsible for high-end creations on next generation systems and PC. Its credits include the best-selling ``Red Faction,'' ``Summoner,'' the acclaimed ``Freespace'' and ``Freespace 2,'' as well as the award-winning ``Descent'' and ``Descent 2'' as a part of Parallax Software.

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, Nintendo and Microsoft. The THQ Web site is located at www.thq.com.

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about THQ's business based, in part, on assumptions made by its management. These statements are not guarantees of THQ's 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 forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including, but not limited to, those described above and the following: changes in demand for THQ's products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the impact of competitive products and pricing and difficulties encountered in the integration of acquired businesses. In addition, such statements could be affected by growth rates and market conditions relating to the interactive software industry and general domestic and international economic conditions. Specific information concerning these and other such factors is contained in THQ's current report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 21, 2001. A copy of this filing may be obtained by contacting THQ or the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and THQ does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.