THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI) today announced the release of its wackiest SpongeBob SquarePants video game to date — SpongeBob’s Truth or Square — to all major retailers nationwide for the Wii™ system, Nintendo DS™, the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system. In this off-the-wall action adventure game, players will experience the wacky world of SpongeBob and some of its most humorous events from the last 10 years. The game also introduces a new and unique morphing capability that turns SpongeBob into unlikely objects like a spatula or sledgehammer. The game is rated E for everyone and is available at the suggested retail prices of $39.99 (Wii and Xbox 360) and $29.99 (DS and PSP system).
“SpongeBob’s Truth or Square provides the ultimate SpongeBob experience for kids, parents and SpongeBob fans of all ages,” said Randy Shoemaker, vice president, global brand management at THQ. “The game delivers innovative new gameplay features combined with a story that celebrates 10 incredibly fun and zany years of SpongeBob. Whether you’re an avid SpongeBob fan or a first-time gamer, you’ll want to join the top adventure this game offers.”
“For SpongeBob’s 10th Anniversary year, we’re excited to provide gamers with SpongeBob’s Truth or Square,” said Shaan Kandawalla, vice president, digital retail games at Nickelodeon. “Coupled with the celebrity-filled Truth or Square Nickelodeon television event in November, there is something for every SpongeBob fan this month.”
About SpongeBob’s Truth or Square
In SpongeBob’s Truth or Square, players must journey through memorable SpongeBob SquarePants locations to find the missing Krabby Patty formula in time for Krusty Krab’s Eleventy Seventh Anniversary. From Jellyfish Fields to downtown Bikini Bottom, players will run, jump, spin and hammer their way through 10 challenging levels. Each level will take players back to a happy SpongeBob SquarePants moment, such as when SpongeBob becomes a fry cook, gets into the Salty Spittoon or meets Sandy for the first time.
Equipped with special morphing abilities, players can transform SpongeBob into bizarre objects — such as the Spatula Slam, Propeller Spin and Sledgehammer Smash — to help him conquer treacherous obstacles and legions of Plankton’s robots. Players will also be able to soak up water, hose down enemies, and jump into a bubble gum fling as they navigate their way through an obstacle course of traps. In two-player co-op mode, friends will be able to join in on the action as Plankton to help SpongeBob solve puzzles, unlock new pathways and defeat super-powered creatures.
SpongeBob’s Truth or Square was developed by Heavy Iron Studios. For more information about this game, and the rest of THQ’s line-up of family-friendly titles, please visit www.playthq.com.
Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants “Truth or Square” one-hour prime time television event premieres on Friday, Nov. 6, culminating Nickelodeon’s 10th anniversary celebration of the pop-icon and top-rated kids’ series. The event features celebrity guest stars Craig Ferguson, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, LeBron James, P!nk and Robin Williams, among others.
About Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon, now in its 30th 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 almost 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 15 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon, SpongeBob SquarePants and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).
About THQ
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.
Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, and the Xbox logos are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.
“PlayStation”, the “PS” Family logo and PSP are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Wii and Nintendo DS are trademarks of Nintendo.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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 SpongeBob’s Truth or Square video game, 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.