WWE '13 World Wrestling Entertainment Video Games Media Man Int

WWE '13

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WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross writes...

#WWE13 has roared out the gate as it became available this past Tuesday and we're getting great feedback on the Attitude Era aspect of the game which allows fans to become matchmakers and create some mighty intriguing bouts. I know that @JerryLawler and I enjoyed re-creating our commentary from that period of time. Industry experts have given WWE13 some amazingly positive reviews as it is expected to be the best selling WWE video game ever. @THQ is already immersed in work for their next WWE video game which will be released next fall.

THQ Press Event with ‘Attitude’ - August 30, 2012
(Credit: WWE)

"WWE '13" features presentation

Los Angeles — There might have been a heat wave out on the streets of Los Angeles during SummerSlam week, but it was nice and cozy inside the 200-seat Clive Davis Theater Saturday night, August 18, as THQ played host to an invitation-only press event to unveil "WWE '13," the latest video game in the long-running franchise.

The festivities started off with a bang, as the intimate theater — situated inside the GRAMMY museum in downtown Los Angeles — rocked to a dance number performed by Brodus Clay and The Funkadactyls. Afterward, Corey Ledesma, Creative Director of WWE Games, took to the podium and officially welcomed media and fans to what he called "a historic day for WWE Games."

On the eve of SummerSlam, the exclusive affair proved to be the biggest press event in the history of the franchise, with more than 100 media guests in attendance. THQ’s excitement about the game was well warranted, as there was an obvious buzz in the theater. (READ EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH LEDESMA)

"WWE '13," which is scheduled for an October 30 release, features the largest roster ever in a WWE video game, as more than 80 playable Superstars and Divas will do battle on the virtual landscape. With Downloadable Content Packs, that already-impressive number will bump up to more than 100 playable Superstars and Divas. The game’s developers promise that "WWE '13" will bring together the best of today with the elite from one of the most beloved periods in WWE’s history through the game’s highly anticipated Attitude Era single-player campaign.

Ledesma showed exclusive, never-before-seen in-game footage from "WWE '13," and walked the crowd through several exciting new features. Aside from the obvious aesthetic improvements — this year’s game features the most realistic character models and the smoothest, most fluid animation engine to date — the revolutionary "WWE Live" has provided the game with a dramatic audio overhaul, making gamers feel as though they are actually at a WWE Live Event.

Ledesma next introduced the audience to "Catching Finishers," a brand-new feature that allows competitors to literally catch their opponent in mid-air and nail him or her with a finishing move, completely swinging the momentum of a match. Shortly after, a cheer went up through the auditorium when footage of a superplex onto the ringside floor — a monumental move that’s new to "WWE '13" — flashed across the screen.

New, devastating maneuvers permeate the game, as players will now be able to crash through the ringside barricade, perform finishers on top of the announce table and even destroy the ring, ala Big Show and Mark Henry in a new feature dubbed "Spectacular Moments." Ledesma went on to say, "We are all about customization," and explained the game’s Create-an-Arena feature, which gives players total control over where their favorite Superstars will do battle.

Talk then turned to the Attitude Era, and to "WWE '13's" epic and in-depth single-player campaign that allows gamers to play through that time in WWE history — a period that spans from the formation of D-Generation X through WrestleMania XV.

"We want you to relive every moment from the era," Ledesma stated before showing off some of the Attitude Era-specific features of the game, such as the ability to follow either an Austin 3:16 storyline, or a DX story, both of which span two years on the Attitude Era timeline. All matches in that timeline will feature the classic announce team of Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler on commentary, authentic Attitude Era entrances and themes and an Attitude Era-specific audience.

After the video presentation, the stage was cleared for a panel discussion featuring three WWE Hall of Famers and a host of current Superstars, all amped up and ready to talk about "WWE '13" and the impact of the Attitude Era. Legendary commentator Jim Ross led the panel, which included "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Mike Tyson, WWE Champion CM Punk, World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler, AJ Lee and Brodus Clay and The Funkadactyls.

The discussion was lively, as Superstars spoke fondly about their memories of the Attitude Era — whether from the perspective of a participant or as a fan watching on television. J.R. set the tone for the evening, saying, "This is one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had in 38 years." He added, "This is a very smart video game."

Speaking about the Attitude Era specifically, J.R. pointedly stated, "Nothing was rehearsed — it was just what came out of our hearts." Austin, who was the catalyst of that time period, added, "It’s great that this game comes back around [to those times]. It just shows how powerful the Attitude Era was." WWE Champion CM Punk, the cover Superstar of "WWE '13," said, "The Attitude Era had this chaos about it," a notion that THQ promises will be well-represented in the game.

When asked about favorite Attitude Era moments, everyone on the panel had a different, memorable recollection. For recent WWE Hall of Fame inductee Mike Tyson, his favorite moment was similar to one of his heyday in-ring victories — short and to the point: "Knocking out Shawn Michaels. It was a good right hand."

After the panel, various media affiliates had the opportunity to speak with each participant about the game, and about what the Attitude Era meant to them. A visibly excited AJ Lee told WWE.com, "I just found out through Twitter [that I am in the game]. I didn’t think I was in it. It was a very pleasant surprise. I cried like a little baby — for real."

As a kid playing WWE games, Dolph Ziggler used to create and play as a Superstar he named “The Natural” (a Superstar combining Billy gunn’s hair, abs and trunks, and "Stone Cold’s" knee braces "just for the street cred"). "A dream come true for me would be to get in the ring with Shawn Michaels," he said while discussing the new game. "I don’t know if that’ll happen in real life, but I can make it happen in 'WWE '13.'"

Sheamus' favorite feature in the new game is the inclusion of "Spectacular Moments." The Great White told WWE.com, "Being driven through a barricade at ringside — as Mark Henry did to me last year — When I saw that moment recreated in the video game, I felt every bit of it." For his part, The Funkasaurus was direct in his answer to what he’s most looking forward to about "WWE '13": "I’m looking forward to Brodus Clay going absolutely buck-wild in the Attitude Era."

As he so often did during the Attitude Era, "Stone Cold" closed out the show and summed things up nicely, saying, "I’m excited to be part of this game. I think THQ has done the best job of capturing what the Attitude Era embodied — attitude."

And now, for the first time in 15 years, a WWE game will feature moments and storylines taken directly from those years when "WWE '13" hits stands on October 30. (Credit: WWE)

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WWE Legends of WrestleMania

Smackdown VS RAW

Press Release

5th November 2007

WWE® SmackDown® vs. Raw® 2008 Kicks off Global Marketing Campaign on WWE ® Monday Night RAW®

Multi-million Dollar Effort for Pre-eminent Fighting Video Game Franchise Supports Upcoming Simultaneous Release on Seven Platforms

AGOURA HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI) and JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ:JAKK) today announced that the WWE® SmackDown® vs. Raw ® 2008 global marketing campaign, aimed at highlighting the franchise's debut on the WiiTM home video game system, the Nintendo DS™ and the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, will kick off tonight on Monday Night RAW®. The campaign is a multifaceted, multi-million dollar global marketing effort to support the biggest SmackDown vs. Raw launch in the franchise's nine year history. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 is scheduled for simultaneous release on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION 3 system, PlayStation ®2 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, the Wii and Nintendo DS, plus wireless devices, on November 9, 2007 across Europe, Australia and New Zealand; and on November 13, 2007 across North America.

"The exciting and frenetic atmosphere of Monday Night RAW provides the perfect stage from which to launch our WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 global marketing campaign, " said Bob Aniello, senior vice president, worldwide marketing, THQ. "This comprehensive worldwide effort will show fans how their love of wrestling can find intense new outlets through this year 's SmackDown vs. Raw debut on Wii, Nintendo DS and the PLAYSTATION 3 system. Each platform provides unique fighting experiences that will bring fans closer than ever to their favorite Superstars. "

"The WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 global marketing campaign is the most comprehensive effort to date for the SmackDown vs. Raw franchise," said Nelo Lucich, vice president of interactive, JAKKS Pacific. "We are excited by the unique game play delivered across an impressive seven systems and look forward to the upcoming launch of this year's game."

The cross platform marketing strategy for WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 also includes:

A global TV campaign in eight different countries, including advertising, broadcast and event sponsorships
Print advertising in consumer publications and holiday buyer guides, including a Nintendo-specific campaign
A comprehensive online campaign including advertising, a demo campaign via Xbox Live® Marketplace for the Xbox 360, as well as the annual roster reveal and daily Superstar profiles campaign on IGN
A worldwide gaming tournament where top SmackDown vs. Raw gamers will win the opportunity to compete at the 6th Annual THQ Superstar Challenge in Orlando, FL, which kicks off WrestleMania ® 24 weekend
First-ever launch event for the franchise at Toys"R"Us Times Square, including an appearance and autograph signing by WWE Superstar Rey Mysterio ®
Retailer-specific promotions including Superstar appearances, exclusive gift with purchase opportunities, co-marketing with WWE DVD and more
Wireless promotions through major carriers
More information about WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 can be found at www.smackdownvsraw.com and www.thq.com

About World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto and London. Additional information on the company can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com Information on television ratings and community activities can be found at parents.wwe.com

About THQ Inc.

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 and www.thqwireless.com THQ, THQ Wireless and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.

About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.

JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK) is a multi-brand company that designs and markets a broad range of toys and consumer products. The product categories include: Action Figures, Art Activity Kits, Stationery, Writing Instruments, Performance Kites, Water Toys, Sports Activity Toys, Vehicles, Infant/Pre-School, Plush, Construction Toys, Electronics, Dolls, Dress-Up, Role Play, and Pet Toys and Accessories. The products are sold under various brand names including JAKKS Pacific ®, Play Along®, Flying Colors®, Creative Designs International™, Road Champs®, Child Guidance ®, Pentech®, Trendmasters®, Toymax®, Funnoodle®, Go Fly a Kite® , Color Workshop®, JAKKS Pets™ and Plug It In & Play TV Games™. JAKKS and THQ Inc. participate in a joint venture that has worldwide rights to publish and market World Wrestling Entertainment video games. For further information, visit www.jakks.com

Trademarks: All World Wrestling Entertainment programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, and logos are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. ECW is a trademark owned by WWE Libraries, Inc. ECW is a trademark owned by WWE Libraries, Inc. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.

Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox Live, the Xbox logos, and the Xbox Live logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.

"PlayStation", "PS" Family logo and "PSP" are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Memory Stick Duo™ may be required (sold separately).

Wii and Nintendo DS are trademarks of Nintendo.

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 marketing campaign for WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008, 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, 2007, 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.

This press release may contain forward–looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about JAKKS Pacific's business based partly on assumptions made by its management. These statements are not guarantees of 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 statements due to numerous factors, including, but not limited to, those described above, changes in demand for JAKKS' products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and difficulties with integrating acquired businesses. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and JAKKS undertakes no obligation to update any of them to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

Contacts

THQ/Media Relations
Jaime Jensen, 818-871-5111
or
THQ/Investor Relations
Julie MacMedan, 818-871-5125
or
JAKKS Pacific/Media Relations
Genna Rosenberg, 310-455-6235
gennar@jakks.net
or
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Kevin Hennessy, 203-352-8657
kevin.hennessy@wwecorp.com

Press Release

6th May 2004

World Wrestling Entertainment Videogame Line-up Set to Enter the Ring

CALABASAS HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 6, 2004--THQ Inc. (Nasdaq:THQI) and JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (Nasdaq:JAKK) today announced their fiscal 2005 World Wrestling Entertainment® (NYSE:WWE) licensed videogame line-up. In addition to the previously announced WWE(TM) Day of Reckoning(TM), which is scheduled for release for the Nintendo® GameCube(TM) in Fall 2004, THQ plans to release WWE(TM) licensed videogames for the PlayStation® 2 computer entertainment system, Xbox(TM) video game system from Microsoft and Nintendo®'s Game Boy® Advance.

WWE(TM) SmackDown!(TM) Vs. Raw(TM) -- Scheduled for release exclusively on PlayStation 2 for holiday 2004 -- Two of the biggest brands in Sports Entertainment will face-off this holiday season. Developed by Yukes, WWE SmackDown! Vs. Raw takes the top-selling, critically acclaimed SmackDown! franchise to the next level with added features and improved graphics.

WWE(TM) WrestleMania® 21 -- Scheduled for release exclusively on Xbox in early 2005 -- WWE WrestleMania 21 will adopt a new developer, Studio Gigante. Using the power of the Xbox, the game will feature stunning visuals with several new game modes. WWE WrestleMania 21 is set to launch with the biggest WWE event of the year, WrestleMania.

WWE(TM) Survivor Series(TM) -- Scheduled for release exclusively on Game Boy Advance for holiday 2004 -- Marking the return of WWE licensed videogames to Nintendo's handheld system, WWE Survivor Series will feature a variety of match types with top WWE Superstars

About World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:WWE) is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto and London. Additional information on the company can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. Information on television ratings and community activities can be found at parents.wwe.com. The names of all WWE programming, talent, images, likenesses and logos are the exclusive property of WWE.

About JAKKS Pacific

JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (Nasdaq:JAKK) is a multi-brand company that designs and markets a broad range of toys and leisure products. The product categories include: Action Figures, Arts & Crafts Activity Kits, Stationery, Writing Instruments, Performance Kites, Water Toys, Sports Activity Toys, Vehicles, Infant/Pre-School, Plush and Dolls. The products are sold under various brand names including Flying Colors®, Road Champs®, Remco®, Child Guidance®, Pentech®, Trendmasters®, Toymax®, Funnoodle®, Go Fly a Kite(TM) and JPI Color Workshop(TM). The Company also participates in a joint venture with THQ Inc. that has exclusive worldwide rights to publish and market World Wrestling Entertainment video games. For further information, visit www.jakkspacific.com.

About THQ

THQ Inc. is a leading, worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for a variety of hardware platforms including those manufactured by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., Nintendo and Microsoft as well as PC CD-ROM and wireless devices. The THQ web site is located at www.thq.com. THQ is a registered trademark of THQ Inc.

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 or the performance of WWE video games, 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, including WWE video games, 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 March 31, 2003 Form 10-KT filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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.

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