CALABASAS HILLS, Calif., Jan. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Underscoring its commitment to outstanding product quality, THQ Inc. (Nasdaq: THQI) today announced that three of its key titles achieved "Best of 2004" accolades from leading game sites IGN.com, GameSpy.com and GameSpot.com.

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Warhammer(R) 40,000: Dawn of War(TM), a real-time strategy (RTS) game for PC developed by THQ's Relic Entertainment studio, was named one of the 10 Best PC Games of 2004 by GameSpy.com and garnered a total of eight nominations, including "Best PC Multiplayer Game" and "Best Strategy Game."

"Dawn of War demonstrates the huge potential we see in the talented team at Relic as we continue to build THQ's internal development organization," said Jack Sorensen, executive vice president of worldwide studios, THQ. "We expect to see more exciting PC titles from Relic and look forward to leveraging their expertise onto the next generation of consoles."

In addition to Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, both IGN and GameSpot recognized the new original title, Full Spectrum Warrior(TM), for its innovative design.

"Dawn of War and Full Spectrum Warrior mark our success with our first two products targeted for the core gamer this fiscal year," said Brian Farrell, president and chief executive officer, THQ. "We plan to build on this momentum with the January 2005 launch of The Punisher(TM) from our own Volition studio."

In addition to core gamer titles, Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams(TM), co-owned by THQ and Nickelodeon, was named "Best Platform Game - GameCube(TM)" and was awarded Runner-Up for "Best Platform Game - PlayStation(R) 2."

"We are thrilled that the game press has recognized Tak 2," said Farrell. "We view Tak as a powerful franchise for years to come."

For more information on Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War, Full Spectrum Warrior and Tak 2: The Staff of Dreams, please visit www.thq.com.

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. The THQ web site is located at www.thq.com. THQ and the THQ logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc. Relic is a trademark and/or registered trademark of Relic Entertainment Inc.

This press release may contain "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") and are based upon management's 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 economic, competitive and technological factors affecting the operations, markets, products, services and pricing of THQ. 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 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 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2004, and particularly the discussion of risk factors that may affect results of operations set forth therein. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.

Liz Pieri
THQ/ Media Relations
818/871-5061

Julie MacMedan
THQ/ Investor Relations
818/871-5095

SOURCE
THQ Inc. 01/03/2005
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Web site: http://www.thq.com

Posted: January 3, 2005