Gaming Industry Players to Divide THQ
North American video games developer and publisher THQ Inc., world-renowned for numerous great titles, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on December 19. Clearlake Capital Group has acquired everything THQ left after the bankruptcy: game developing studios and games currently in work. Marketers expect THQ assets to be auctioned in the nearest future after THQ bankruptcy procedure is over, and many are making predictions on where they will go.
One of the best-selling titles by THQ – ‘Saints Row: The Third’ with 5.5 million copies sold as by the end of 2012 – is much likely to be acquired by American video game publisher Activision. The latter is known for great and expensive releases like World of Warcraft, Call of Duty, Diablo, and many more; these games have also brought huge revenues.
Relic Entertainment studios, the creators of THQ’s Second bestselling franchise ‘Company of Heroes,’ is expected to become a possession of another American gaming giant – EA. Dawn of War franchise will also be sold to EA. Company of Heroes 2, the continuation of the renowned series, is expected to bring its new possessor sales of a few million units.
1.5 million-selling series Metro 2033 is anticipated to go to Warner Bros., which is clearly lacking a major FPS title in its portfolio. Expected in the first quarter of 2013, the game was stalled by THQ, with the company merely managing publishing matters. Even though WBIE needs a Mature-rated title, another possible buyer of the asset is Japanese gaming powerhouse Square Enix.
THQ is in trouble, I hope that someone picks up the Homeworld franchise and gives it the attention it deserves.
This is very worrying as a fan of Homeworld. The Homeworld rights have not been in THQ’s hands all that long. They used to be owned by sierra, and Relic lost the ability to make Homeworld games when THQ purchased the studio.