This week's Steam weekend sale sees the THQ Collector's pack discounted, while being simultaneously bolstered by the addition of Dawn of War II.

The pack, which includes 13 THQ games, is on sale for 25% off the usual $100--in other words, $75 total. For just over the price of a console game--or Modern Warfare 2, that is--you'll be playing Company of Heroes, Titan Quest, S.T.A.L.K.E.R., Full Spectrum Warrior, and plenty of Warhammer RTS goodness. If you don't already own much of this, it's a tough one to pass up.

Publisher THQ has confirmed that Codeglue, traditionally a developer for mobile devices, will see its debut Xbox 360 title Rocket Riot released on Xbox Live Arcade tomorrow.

An explosive side-scroller, Rocket Riot packs 80 single-player missions set in a destructible pixel-styled wonderland, with 4 eight-person multiplayer modes in tow.

Priced at 800 Microsoft Points ($10), Rocket Riot will be downloadable alongside this week's other Xbox Live Arcade releases--Sam & Max Save the World and Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers--come the morning of Wednesday, June 17.

The retail PC edition of Vogster's "persistent world next-gen shooter" CrimeCraft will only be sold through vendor Best Buy in North America, publisher THQ has announced.

BestBuy.com pre-orders for the game will open on May 31, with retail locations starting to accept pre-orders on June 7. Those that pre-order will get early beta access, a three-day head start on the launch server, and in-game Marc Ecko shoes.

Additionally, Best Buy will provide those that buy the August-due Unreal Engine 3-powered shooter-MMO with two free months of play, discounts on in-game items, and several other "exclusive" in-game clothing options from "real-world fashion labels."

Publisher THQ today announced the results of the fiscal year that ended on March 31, 2009, revealing a net loss of $431.1 million. Described by THQ CEO Brian Farrell as "a challenging fiscal 2009," the year saw higher losses and lower sales than FY2008.

Net sales dipped to $830 million in FY2009, down from $1.03 billion in FY2008, with FY2008's net loss coming at a relatively less severe $35.3 million. Despite the slide, Farrell expressed confidence for the next year, citing THQ's recently completed cost-cutting measures and its increased focus on quality, brands and profitability.

The company also touted its recent sales highlights, pointing out that Saints Row 2 has now shipped over 2.8 million units and noting that Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War II "debuted as the best selling PC game across major video game markets worldwide."

In a separate announcement, THQ added that it has "signed a commitment letter for a $35 million senior secured credit facility with Bank of America, NA," with THQ CFO Paul Pucino explaining that "we are pursuing this credit facility as a prudent backup to our $141 million cash and short-term investment balance at March 31, 2009."

Following recent word that THQ "plans to close [Big Huge Games] if a sale is not completed in the near future," the studio has been forced to reduce its staff.

"Some of the staff were notified that they were not going to be part of the future direction of the studio," THQ representative Julie MacMedan confirmed with Joystiq. While MacMedan refused to detail how many staffers were affected, Develop reports, via anonymous sources, that the studio saw a "huge amount of layoffs."

Responsible for such titles as Rise of Nations (PC) and Catan (X360), Big Huge is known to be working on on "quirky" Wii game and an RPG led by Oblivion designer Ken Rolston. THQ is still pursuing a sale of Big Huge Games, MacMedan asserted.

In related news, THQ today announced that, as a whole, it has "substantially completed the actions necessary to achieve its previously announced plan to reduce fiscal 2010 budgeted annual spending by $220 million."

Publisher THQ has dropped releases dates for its major games across the next two years, including Saints Row 3, another Red Faction game, an action game from Dawn of War 2 dev Relic, and its Warhammer 40,000 MMO.

The slide from an investors presentation noticed by GameSpot shows an as-yet-untitled action game, from Company of Heroes and Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War developers Relic, scheduled for THQ's fiscal year 2011, which begins April 1, 2010.

The sequel to open-world gangbanger Saints Row 2--currently being expanded with downloadable content--is also scheduled for release in THQ's 2011 fiscal year. Volition explained last year that 3 will take the series in "a new direction... Read more

Publisher THQ today announced that Big Huge Games, developer of the excellent RTS franchise Rise of Nations, is now up for sale.

"THQ informed the staff at its Big Huge Games studio in Timonium, MD, that it plans to close the studio if a sale is not completed in the near future," said THQ in a statement to CrispyGamer. "These actions were unfortunate but were necessitated by the difficult economic environment."

The move is part of a series of cutbacks at THQ due to disappointing financial results. The company plans to eventually slash 24% of its workforce.

THQ acquired Big Huge Games in January of last year. The studio most recently released Catan (XBLA) and collaborated with the now-closed Ensemble Studios on the Age of Empires III expansion Asian Dynasties.

Big Huge was reportedly working on two unannounced projects: an RPG scheduled for a 2009 release on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC, as well as a separate Wii title.

THQ also noted that Heavy Iron Studios (Up, WALL-E) and Incinerator Studios (Nicktoons: Globs of Doom, Cars) have been spun off into independent companies.

THQ today announced the official game based on Pixar's upcoming film Up, developed by Heavy Iron Studios (Wall-E, Ratatouille). The game is set to launch alongside the movie in May, on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, DS, PSP, PC and Mac.

Up will feature playable versions of all four characters from the movie--Carl, Russell, Dug the lovable dog or Kevin the prehistoric bird--possibly making this the first game allowing players to take control of an old man with a walker.

The action-adventure game also offers two-player co-op, and a four-player multiplayer aerial combat mode.

Strangely enough, the announcement was conveniently accompanied by a demo release. Check out the PC demo on FileShack.

Publisher THQ today confirmed that 86 quality assurance staffers were recently let go at Saints Row developer Volition.

Some 47 temporary employees were fired at Volition's Champaign, Illinois facility, in addition to 39 full-time staff. According to THQ, all of those affected will be given sixty days notice and employment assistance.

"[The layoffs] will not result in any layoffs within the core development teams at Volition," noted an official statement from THQ. "Volition remains a key development studio within THQ and will continue to employ 236 staff."

In November THQ announced it was cutting 250 people, as part of a "new strategic plan". Due to the current economic climate and disappointing results that number will increase; some 600 people will now be let go, representing a whopping 24% of the company's workforce.

During the last three months of 2008, THQ brought in sales of $357.3 million, while the company's net loss for the period was $191.8 million. A large chunk of that loss, $118.1 million, was due to a goodwill impairment charge. During the same period a year ago, THQ posted a net income of $15.5 million on $509.6 million in sales.

The company also revealed Saints Row 2 has shipped 2.6 million units, while WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 shipped 4 million units and de Blob 700,000. The Wii game Big Beach Sports also did well with more than 1.2 million units shipped.

Just in time for the happy holidays, Valve has rolled out the Left 4 Dead section of its online store, offering movie posters and T-shirts based on the horror game.

The shirts all run at an even $19.99, while each poster--all four being reproductions of the slick in-game one-sheets--cost $6.99. Those looking to grab all four of the posters can pick up some savings with the $14.99 four-pack.

Valve also sends word that the THQ Collector's Pack--a package that contains every Dawn of War, Company of Heroes and Titan Quest game, as well as the original S.T.A.L.K.E.R.--is being discounted this weekend from $219.99 to a flat $99. For anyone unaccustomed to those particular series, this is a fantastic excuse to discover some excellent PC gaming.

Publisher Activision has modified the box art for Left Field Productions' offroad racer Score International Baja 1000 following a legal complaint that the original cover art was too similar to that of the THQ-published, 2XL-developed Baja: Edge of Control.

THQ and Activision settled the issue out of court, reports Patent Arcade, with THQ having dismissed the lawsuit and Activision rolling out redesigned cover art.

Both Baja: Edge of Control (PS3, 360) and Score International Baja 1000 (PS3, PS2, Xbox 360, Wii) are now at retailers, with the new artwork expected to hit shelves shortly.

Following THQ's closure of five internal studios--over 25% of its internal resources--earlier this week, the publisher has terminated 17% of its studio staff--roughly 250 people--under a "new strategic plan" that will "focus on fewer, higher quality titles."

Along with the studio closures, THQ cancelled "several titles that were in development but had not been publicly announced." The company cited decreased consumer confidence, a "cautious" retail environment, and problematic exchange rates as factors that lowered its overall expectations for the current year.

While THQ will now produce less games, the studio claims this strategy will allow it to have bigger budgets on select titles. Moving forward, it hopes to focus on fighting games, such as UFC titles, more rational kids and family games, and migrating "key brands" to the online arena, such as Company of Heroes... Read more

Publisher THQ announced today that it has delayed Volition's Red Faction: Guerrilla (PC, PS3, 360) and Vigil's Darksiders: Wrath of War (PS3, 360) until its next fiscal year, which begins April 1, 2009 and ends on March 31, 2010.

Previously, both titles were expected to arrive on store shelves within the publisher's current fiscal year, which means they would have hit retailers by March 31, 2009.

No reason was provided for the delays, though the company lowered its net sales expectations for the current year by $125 million to compensate.

Update: Shacknews has confirmed, via sources, that Stuntman: Ignition and Pilotwings 64 developer Paradigm Entertainment was indeed dissolved by THQ today.

Fellow THQ subsidiary Mass Media was also closed today, according to Shacker PowerLlama. As for Juice Games, Develop claims the studio will lose about a third of its staff, but will remain open.

In addition, Helixe, Locomotive Games and Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon developer Sandblast Games appear to have joined Mass Media and Paradigm in closure, as THQ no longer shows them on its studio list, which now numbers 11.

Original Story: THQ will close "four to five studios" this week, according to Kotaku.

Of THQ's 16 studios, Juiced franchise developer Juice Games and Stuntman: Ignition veteran Paradigm Entertainment are said to be among those facing closure. Earlier this year, THQ announced that it would no longer produce Juiced or Stuntman games.

No reason was provided for the rumored closures, though some speculate the global credit crisis is playing a factor, as it has negatively affected such major companies as Sony, Nintendo and Electronic Arts.

THQ will present its Q2 2009 fiscal results on Wednesday.

Relic will continue its World War II PC strategy series next spring with Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor, publisher THQ announced today.

Previously revealed by retailer listings, Tales of Valor will be a standalone game, packing three new single-player campaigns and new multiplayer modes along with new maps and units. It also introduces a new "direct-fire" feature, said to offer players "more tactical control of their units and more strategic options in-game."

Though standalone, Valor will be compatible with the original Company of Heroes and the standalone Opposing Fronts expansion. THQ states that this will provide owners of the previous games with "complete access to the epic battles of World War II."

"Company of Heroes is one of the most critically acclaimed RTS series of all time," said THQ VP Peter Matiss. "With Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor, Relic Entertainment is delivering an all-new, standalone chapter in the franchise and continues to push the boundaries of innovation and quality in the genre."

Volition's Saints Row series of over-the-top, open-world action gaming will get a third entry, and it will take what associate producer Dan Sutton called "a new direction."

"We've already started work on Saints Row 3, and ... we wrap up a lot in this one," said Sutton to Play in response to a question about the endings about the first two Saints Row games.

"We have a new direction we want to go in with that which we of course can't talk about," he added. In the meantime, Volition has plans to step up production on DLC for the just-released Saints Row 2 PS3 and Xbox 360 editions, with the PC version due later.

"I know we're going to come up with a lot more," Sutton stated, indicating that the sequel's DLC would take on a greater scope than the first game's downloads. "Now we're looking at multiplayer maps, another story arc, new characters," he explained.

Publisher THQ has sued fellow publisher Actvision, claiming the box art for Activision's Score International Baja 1000 is too similar to that of THQ's Baja: Edge of Control.

"Activision's impending use of packaging art [for its game] ... is likely to confuse, cause mistake or deceive the public into believing that the Activision Game originates or is sponsored or approved by THQ, when in fact it is not," claims the lawsuit, as reported by Edge Online after Patent Arcade broke the story.

THQ is asking the court to delay the release of Activision's Baja game until the artwork is changed, otherwise it believes it will suffer "as yet unknown" damages, which would cause THQ to "be entitled to Activision's profits from the sale of the Activision Game."

According to the suit, which also seeks attorney's fees, THQ contacted Activision regarding the similarities in the beginning of October, but Activision refused to change the packaging. Baja: Edge of Control (PS3, 360) arrived in September, while Score International hits retailers this week in PS2, PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii editions.

In addition to Penny-Arcade Adventures Episode Two, Microsoft today announced that come Wednesday October 29, Xbox 360 owners will at long last be able to determine if they're smarter than a virtual classroom of digital 5th graders.

Priced at 1200 Microsoft Points ($15) and published by THQ, Blitz Arcade's Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? Makes the Grade packs all the fun of the Fox television show, featuring more than 6,000 questions from the grade school curriculum.

Buyers will be able to play against four other real-life players, either locally or online via Xbox Live. While downloadable on Xbox 360, Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? has been released as a full-fledged retail game for PC, PS2, DS and Wii.

This Wednesday will also see the release of a free downloadable multiplayer level for GarageGame's Marble Blast Ultra, which includes one new achievement.

According to this entry in Australia's Classification Database, 50 Cent: Blood in the Sand (PS3, X360) has been picked up by publisher THQ. The third person action game from Swordfish Studios was one of several projects dropped by Activision Blizzard following the Activision - Vivendi Games merger.

50 Cent: Blood in Sand was classified October 10, obtaining a MA 15+ rating for "strong violence and coarse language, sexual and drug references."

Thanks to Eurogamer for the tip.