AGOURA HILLS, Calif., Aug. 16: THQ Inc. (Nasdaq: THQI) today announced that highly anticipated Company of Heroes™, developed by internal studio Relic Entertainment, has reached the gold master stage of development and is now entering manufacturing. Powered by Relic's proprietary next-generation Essence Engine™, Company of Heroes delivers stunning cinematic visuals, completely destructible environments, and the some of the most realistic artificial intelligence to date. The game is scheduled to be in stores for Windows PC on September 14, 2006.

"Based on early critical feedback, we're confident Company of Heroes raises the standard for the RTS genre, bringing an incredible combination of realism, action and authenticity to a strategy game," said Tarrnie Williams, general manager, Relic Entertainment. "We've captured the essence of real soldiers, real battlefields and real war, providing gamers with an unprecedented game-play experience. Reaching the gold milestone is a huge accomplishment for an incredibly innovative team that has truly delivered on its vision."

About Company of Heroes

Company of Heroes is a World War II real time strategy game that brings to life the brave men of Able Company in cinematic intensity as they fight across Europe in the greatest war mankind has ever known. Relic's proprietary next-gen Essence Engine provides unprecedented graphics and physics complete with the destruction of all terrain and buildings. Featuring 2-8 players in multiplayer competition via Lan or Internet, gamers will choose to play as either the Allies or Axis, each with their own unique weapons, vehicles and commander trees. Company of Heroes is also scheduled to ship for wireless devices in fall 2006.

For more information on Company of Heroes please visit http http://www.companyofheroesgame.com

About Relic Entertainment

Founded in 1997 and acquired by THQ in 2004, Relic Entertainment is a leader in the development of innovative real-time strategy games for PC and console. Relic's first title, "Homeworld" (1999), was received to widespread acclaim, garnering several "Game of the Year" and "Strategy Game of the Year" awards from major industry publications including PC Gamer and Computer Gaming World. Since then, Relic has released "Homeworld: Cataclysm" (2000, co-developed with Barking Dog Studios), "Impossible Creatures" (2003), "Homeworld 2" (2003) and "Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War" (2004), which won numerous accolades including "Strategy Game of the Year" from Computer Gaming World. Today, Relic is building on this legacy by developing multiple groundbreaking Windows PC and next-gen console projects in the RTS and action genres.

About THQ

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 is a top producer of original intellectual properties including titles such as Destroy All Humans!, Juiced™, MX vs ATV and Titan Quest™ as well as the upcoming Saints Row™ and Company of Heroes™. More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com and www.thqwireless.com. THQ, THQ Wireless, Relic Entertainment, Company of Heroes, Destroy All Humans!, Juiced, MX vs. ATV, Saints Row, Titan Quest, and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.

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 Company of Heroes video game, 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, 2006, 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.

Posted: August 16, 2006

Today's GU Rank: 52 of 40991

US Release: September 13, 2006

Genre: Strategy / Historic Real-Time Strategy

ESRB: (M) Mature

Platforms: PC Mob