THQ Joins Forces With iGames to Bring Warhammer(R) 40,000 Dawn of War(TM) to Game Centers

THQ Joins Forces With iGames to Bring Warhammer(R) 40,000 Dawn of War(TM) to Game Centers

LAN Party Opening on Saturday, December 4 Followed By A Showcase in More Than 150 iGames Centers in North America

CALABASAS HILLS, Calif., Dec. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI) today announced that it has teamed up with iGames, North America's leading game center organization, to host a Warhammer(R) 40,000: Dawn of War(TM) LAN party this Saturday, December 4, at participating iGames Centers in the U.S. and Canada. The LAN party offers players a unique opportunity to play the game in a social environment.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041118/LATH093LOGO )

"We are quite excited to host this series of events for Dawn of War," said Mark Nielsen, Executive Director of iGames. "Since its October release, the game has been among the most popular in our game centers, so I think our RTS fans will have a blast, and potentially bring new players to the genre."

"LAN parties are a great way to bring gamers together," said Ron Moravek, general manager, Relic Entertainment. "We're thrilled to be working with iGames to create an event that gives Dawn of War fans the opportunity to play and compete in several locations across North America."

Based on the world of Warhammer 40,000 -- the dark, futuristic, fantasy universe from Games Workshop(R), this science fiction real time strategy (RTS) PC game utilizes the design skills of Relic Entertainment to provide an immersive experience of epic proportions. Controlling the fate of their own race, players can command hardened troops, deadly vehicles and high tech weaponry to exterminate the opposition. Other characteristics include Relic's revolutionary 3D engine and zoom in features, giving each game an awe-inspiring, visceral frontline combat never before depicted in an RTS.

Participating players will have a chance not only to play the game with their friends in a festive, social atmosphere, but also to win door prizes such as limited edition Dawn of War dog tags and game posters.

The specific format of the LAN party depends on each center, so players should contact their local participating center for event details. Some iGames centers may be running tournaments using the rules posted by iGames at: http://www.igames.org/tournaments/MiniRulesView.asp?MiniID=68&AssetID=393 .

The LAN party will be followed by a two-week Showcase, from December 6 to 19, where game center patrons will enjoy one free hour of Dawn of War game play at more than 100 iGames centers across North America. The showcase leads into the Ladder program, which consists of 8 nights of Free-For-All play once a week, beginning January 6th, 2005 and culminating in a Championship event.

Game Centers and Players can register to any of these upcoming events at: http://www.igames.org/tournaments/MiniAboutView.asp?MiniID=68&AssetID=421 . For more information about this event, please visit www.igames.org or contact, Carol Bennett, iGames Event Director, at carol@igames.org

About iGames

iGames, Inc. offers a wide range of services to help independent and franchised game centers. iGames' mission is to promote and develop the growth of the game center industry. Its services unite game centers with the goal of establishing them as the driving force enabling the interactive entertainment industry to become the number one form of entertainment around the world. iGames has established strong relationships with industry leaders to provide a wide variety of products, services and programs to member game centers and gamers including software licensing, hardware discounts, exclusive game premiers, tournaments, and leagues. Today the company counts well over 500 centers and 45,000 gamers, initiating and co-organizing more than 200 events a year. To learn more about iGames, go to www.igames.org.

About THQ

THQ Inc. is a leading, worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software for a variety of hardware platforms including PC CD-ROM, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., Nintendo and Microsoft. For further information please visit www.thq.com. Relic Entertainment and its logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Relic Entertainment Inc. THQ and its logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.

Liz Pieri
THQ/ Media Relations
818/ 871-5061

Christine Goutaland
iGames
(650) 917-9888 x217
christine@igames.org

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041118/LATH093LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: THQ Inc.

CONTACT: Liz Pieri, THQ/ Media Relations, +1-818-871-5061; or Christine
Goutaland of iGames, +1-650-917-9888 x217, christine@igames.org

Web site: http://www.igames.org/

Web site: http://www.thq.com/


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