THQ Revs Up as 'Cars,' Based Upon the Summer Film From Disney/Pixar, Races Into Stores Across Multiple Video Game Platforms

THQ Revs Up as 'Cars,' Based Upon the Summer Film From Disney/Pixar, Races Into Stores Across Multiple Video Game Platforms

THQ is Also Gearing Up Xbox 360(TM) Video and Game Entertainment System From Microsoft and Nintendo's Wii Versions for Release This Fall

AGOURA HILLS, Calif., June 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Leading independent publisher THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI) today announced the release of the "Cars" video game, based upon the highly anticipated Disney/Pixar film, for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, Xbox(R) video and game entertainment system from Microsoft, Nintendo GameCube(TM), Game Boy(R) Advance, Nintendo DS(TM), PSP(TM) (PlayStation(R) Portable) system, Windows PC and Mac, at retail outlets nationwide. The game will also be available worldwide in 18 languages, and in more than 40 countries including China, Thailand, Japan, Russia and Poland. Also this fall, the "Cars" video game is expected to release for Xbox 360(TM) next generation video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Nintendo Wii.

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

"As a leading publisher of video games for all ages, THQ is excited to bring 'Cars' to every major gaming platform, including the next generation game systems," said Kelly Flock, executive vice president, worldwide publishing, THQ. "Disney and Pixar have a legacy of creating blockbuster animated motion pictures with classics such as 'The Incredibles', 'Finding Nemo' and 'Monsters Inc.' THQ's video game adaptations of each of these properties have been top-performers at retail, including games based on 'The Incredibles' film, which shipped more than 7-million units worldwide, and 'Finding Nemo', which shipped more than 8-million units worldwide."

"Combining the creative minds at Pixar Animation Studios and the game development talents at THQ helped to translate 'Cars' into one of this year's most exciting video games for fans of all ages," said "Cars" story artist, Dan Scanlon. "Fans of both the movie and the video games will interact and explore the world of Radiator Springs and the Piston Cup races as we envisioned."

"Disney/Pixar video game properties have experienced tremendous success on a variety of game platforms over the years, and we will continue the brand's tradition of offering high-quality family entertainment to game players worldwide," said Graham Hopper, SVP and General Manager of Disney's Buena Vista Games. "We're proud of our ongoing relationship with the team at THQ to bring these exciting games to life."

About the "Cars" Video Game

The "Cars" video game is a high performance interactive experience in the open world created in the film, challenging players to relive the excitement created by Lightning McQueen and his friends. Fans will discover unique characters and environments inspired by the film with more than 10 playable characters and 30 races and minigames to choose from. The game features a fully immersive re-creation of all major environments introduced in the movie, including Radiator Springs and Ornament Valley, which will offer distinctive racing experiences to players while maintaining the artistic style of the film.

The "Cars" video game was developed within THQ's Studio System, which includes 14 owned studios and more than 25 of the best independent development teams. THQ's critically-acclaimed video game developer, Rainbow Studios developed the PlayStation(R)2, Xbox and Nintendo GameCube versions. THQ's Locomotive Games, Inc. developed the PSP version, while THQ's Helixe studio developed the Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance versions.

About the "Cars" Movie

"Cars," the seventh animated feature film to be created by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures, is directed by Pixar's two-time Academy Award(R)-winner John Lasseter, who directed "Toy Story", "A Bug's Life", and "Toy Story 2." Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson), a hotshot rookie racecar who is driven to succeed, discovers that life is about the journey, not the destination. En route across the country to the big Piston Cup Championship in California, McQueen gets waylaid in the sleepy town of Radiator Springs. While sidetracked in the town, McQueen gets to know its offbeat characters -- including Doc Hudson (a 1951 Hudson Hornet with a mysterious past, voiced by Paul Newman), Sally (a snazzy 2002 Porche, voiced by Bonnie Hunt), and Mater (a rusty, but trusty, tow truck, voiced by Larry the Cable Guy) who help him realize there are more important things than trophies, fame and sponsorship.

About Pixar Animation Studios

Pixar Animation Studios combines creative and technical artistry to create original stories in the medium of computer animation. Pixar has created six of the most successful and beloved animated films of all time: "Toy Story,'' "A Bug's Life," "Toy Story 2," "Monsters, Inc.," "Finding Nemo" and "The Incredibles." Pixar has won 20 Academy Awards(R) and its six films have grossed more than $3.2 billion at the worldwide box office to date. The Northern California studio's next two film releases are Cars (June 9, 2006) and Ratatouille (summer 2007).

About Buena Vista Games

Buena Vista Games, Inc. (BVG) is the interactive entertainment arm of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) (http://www.bvg.com/). The division publishes, markets and distributes a broad portfolio of multi-platform video games and interactive entertainment worldwide. The company also licenses properties and works directly with third-party interactive game publishers to bring products for all ages to market.

About THQ

THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops 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, Helixe, Locomotive Games, Rainbow Studios and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.

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

Xbox, Xbox 360 and the Xbox logos are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or in other countries and are used under license from Microsoft.

Nintendo DS and Wii 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 release and features of Cars, and are based upon management's beliefs and certain assumptions made by management at the time of this release. 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 statements, including, but not limited to economic, competitive and technological factors affecting the operations, markets, products, and pricing of THQ. 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, 2005, and particularly the discussion of risk factors that may affect results of operations 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.

Kathy Bricaud
THQ/ Media Relations
818/871-5059

Julie MacMedan
THQ/Investor Relations
818/ 871-5095

Photo: 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: Kathy Bricaud, Media Relations, +1-818-871-5059, or Julie
MacMedan, Investor Relations, +1-818-871-5095, both of THQ Inc.

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

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

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

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