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XBLM Deal of the Week: Saints Row 2 DLC
by Griffin McElroy 
{ Nov 9th 2009 at 3:15PM }
($7). That's a 30 percent discount from the add-on's usual 800 ($10) price point.With that, we'd like to welcome the naughty folks who ended up here after searching Google for "porn star Tera Patrick." Welcome! Sorry, there's no images of your erotic quarry to be found here, but take a look around, anyways! You might just like what you see.
Impressions: Darksiders takes a stab at Portal, Panzer Dragoon
by Randy Nelson { Nov 6th 2009 at 1:00PM } 
Former X-Men, Battle Chasers and Ultimates artist Joe Madueira and his team at Vigil Games are drawing closer to realizing the celebrated illustrator's dream of making his own video game, Darksiders. We've seen the apocalyptic action-adventure a few times in the past, and its similarities to games such as the 3D Zeldas, God of War and, in some ways, Devil May Cry are still obvious in the latest build.
There were some new elements for publisher THQ to show off, though, like War's range of attacks. For instance, the Apocalypse Horseman can throw his cross blade into a source of time-slowing magic energy and have it return, momentarily giving him an advantage over a group of scurrying spider enemies.
Undoubtedly, the most interesting new tidbits we saw were obvious tributes to two of gaming's most hallowed franchises: Portal and Panzer Dragoon.
There were some new elements for publisher THQ to show off, though, like War's range of attacks. For instance, the Apocalypse Horseman can throw his cross blade into a source of time-slowing magic energy and have it return, momentarily giving him an advantage over a group of scurrying spider enemies.
Undoubtedly, the most interesting new tidbits we saw were obvious tributes to two of gaming's most hallowed franchises: Portal and Panzer Dragoon.
Gallery: Darksiders (11-06-09)
2009 THQ year-to-date sales up 22 percent over 2008
by Richard Mitchell { Nov 4th 2009 at 7:01PM } 
THQ blamed the second quarter dip on a lack of new titles, though it hopes to have a good holiday season thanks to a "strong mass-market line-up" including WWE Smackdown vs RAW 2010 and MX vs ATV Reflex. The company was also sure to mention its triumph in the JAKKS Pacific lawsuit, which resulted in a much lower payment to the longtime WWE series developer (though the scuffle is still haunting the publisher).
Finally, THQ promised to prevail in its march to profitability by the end of fiscal 2010. Though the company expects its Q3 2010 to be 5-10 percent lower than the same period last year, it predicts Q4 sales will exceed those of last year. A reasonable hope, given that all of THQ's major releases drop in its fiscal Q4, including Darksiders, Metro 2033 and the Dawn of War 2 expansion, Chaos Rising.
New Darksiders trailer unleashes Mayhem, sore throats
by Griffin McElroy { Nov 4th 2009 at 11:15AM }
You might become entranced by the grandiose visuals featured in the latest trailer for Darksiders, which we've posted above -- however, don't let your sense of sight get you too distracted from the video's sounds. It might be too soon to say, but it looks like Darksiders could be the most gravelly-voiced video game in the history of the industry. Seriously, even the woman briefly featured in the above trailer makes Solid Snake sound like Dakota Fanning.
Check out the trailer, but keep in mind that it comes to us from the mysterious land of Europe, explaining the release date of "08/01/2010" which appears at the end of the video. See, they do dates backwards in that continent. Just like they do democracy.
Check out the trailer, but keep in mind that it comes to us from the mysterious land of Europe, explaining the release date of "08/01/2010" which appears at the end of the video. See, they do dates backwards in that continent. Just like they do democracy.
THQ stock loses 12 percent after WWE extension
by Justin McElroy { Nov 3rd 2009 at 6:00PM }
THQ's convoluted relationship with JAKKS Pacific and the WWE is fully explained here, but it suffices to say that things are pretty messy right now, and it seems the stockholders are getting impatient for tidiness.
THQ announces extension of WWE renewal notice; Pachter explains
by Alexander Sliwinski { Oct 28th 2009 at 11:30AM }
THQ is cool with the WWE, but it's not very chummy with JAKKS Pacific, its longtime partner in the WWE licensing venture. The wounds also run deep between JAKKS and the WWE. When asked for comment on the license renewal and further details regarding the three-way deal, a THQ representative told Joystiq that the publisher plans to renew its contract with the WWE, and then added, "Beyond that, I cannot comment."
The business, politics and legal issues are certainly complicated. We spoke with Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter who laid out multiple scenarios, but in the end he believes the most likely outcome is that the joint venture between THQ and JAKKS will be terminated. If JAKKS enforces its (believed to be one-year) non-compete clause, then no WWE games can be produced. Neither side would benefit from that, however.
Pachter suggests that the WWE's renewal deadline was extended to give THQ and JAKKS time to settle their issues. What it sounds like to us: THQ and WWE want to move forward as a couple, and the previous arrangement, featuring JAKKS as the third wheel, has worn out its welcome. Check out Pachter's complete analysis after the break.
Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl at $5 on Steam until Monday
by Xav de Matos { Oct 27th 2009 at 11:00PM }
Normally priced at $19.99, Shadow of Chernobyl is a steal at $5; however, as solid as the FPS is, it also includes numerous video game storyline cliches like an amnesiac protagonist and flesh-hunting mutants. Where are all the games with flesh-hunting amnesiac mutants, right?
[Thanks, Dave]
THQ forcing Star Wars: Trench Run onto iPhone
by David Hinkle { Oct 23rd 2009 at 3:00AM }
Jedi mind click your mouse past the break for a trailer.
THQ announces 'Metro 2033,' a post-apocalyptic FPS
by JC Fletcher { Oct 22nd 2009 at 9:28AM }
Ukrainian developer 4A Games' Metro 2033 is set in the subways of a ruined Moscow. You play Artyom, a young man who has never ventured outside of the
According to Amazon, a new English printing of the novel will be released in February. While we aren't certain that provides a time frame in which to expect THQ's version (currently slated for "2010"), it does mean that readers will be able to totally spoil the events of the game.
Darksiders slides release date to Jan. 5, 2010
by Alexander Sliwinski { Oct 20th 2009 at 10:00AM }
In preparation for the launch on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, Darksiders has revealed a new website. Expect to hear more about the game after the Modern Warfare 2 fallout dissipates a little. We also feel the need to remind you of the key words Darksiders usually evokes: God of War; Legend of Zelda; Evil Horsies.
Dawn of War II's free 'The Last Stand' DLC released
by Randy Nelson { Oct 16th 2009 at 1:00AM }
THQ and Relic have released "The Last Stand," a free update for the Warhammer 40k RTS Dawn of War II. As we reported during PAX 2009, the DLC adds a Horde/Firefight style survival mode to the game. In addition, the pack contains two new maps and what THQ describes as "numerous balance updates and bug fixes."
The publisher has also mentioned that Dawn of War II is receiving what we can only imagine is a limited time price cut to $20 on Steam, effective immediately. It should last 'til at least dawn.
[Via VG247]
Steam slashing prices on select THQ titles all week
by David Hinkle { Oct 12th 2009 at 8:00PM }
Each day, a new THQ title will be discounted, while all week long you'll be able to acquire the massive THQ Collector Pack (a bundle of 13 different titles) for $90 -- 10% off its usual price. It's not a bad deal, though we must admit we have seen better.
Why you shouldn't get your video game news from The Wall Street Journal
by Justin McElroy { Sep 23rd 2009 at 1:00PM }
"Take-Two has a number of strong franchises and a number of wholly owned Internet Protocols. Wholly owned IPs not only carry higher profitability, but also are more valuable to media companies because they could be adapted into movies, TV serials and online destinations."
We'd make a joke here, but there's literally nothing we could say that would be funnier than that quote.
[Thanks Leigh!]
THQ takeover talk causes stock bump
by Alexander Sliwinski { Sep 23rd 2009 at 11:29AM }
However, as much as investors believe a buyout is in the works, Reuters spoke with an analyst who isn't so sure. MKM Partners analyst Eric Handler says rumors of a THQ buyout crop up almost every quarter. He believes THQ still has too many licensed games and is just starting to build a solid foundation of owned intellectual property.
Yeah, well ... we talked to an analyst, too. Wedbush Morgan's Michael Pachter tells us he doesn't believe a buyout is likely either. He concurs, "THQ is heavy on licensed content, and many licenses potentially terminate on change of control. I don't see their recent performance instilling a lot of confidence in their ability to manage a bigger library of content that would be presented in a media buyout." Hmmm, from where are investors getting this buyout notion then?
THQ and WindySoft sending Company of Heroes Online to South Korea
by Ben Gilbert { Sep 9th 2009 at 10:44AM }
Currently, no release date is set nor have plans been announced to bring the game to the West. Between Shanda's other free-to-play MMO, King of Fighters World, Namco's Katamari Online, and now this, we're starting to feel like Asia's the rich kid down the block getting all the games we could never afford. Can we come over and play, Asia? Please?
