We reported earlier that studios started to report in that their parent company, THQ, had either closed them completely or laid off many workers. Well, that has been confirmed now a few times over. THQ is heavily re-organizing in order to keep themselves financially solvent. On top of that, two THQ games that were expected this year, Red Faction: Guerrilla and Darksiders: Wrath of War, have been pushed back until fiscal 2010, which starts in April 2009.

According to GamaSutra, it looks like THQ is cutting some serious fat in order to stay away from bad financial problems. Paradigm Entertainment (Stuntman: Ignition) is being closed, and Juice Games (Juiced Racing) is going to enact a "workforce reduction." LA-based Mass Media has been totally closed as well, it seems. The studio has pretty much done nothing since THQ acquired them in 2007, so that is not surprising. Also Locomotive games (Destroy All Humans) and Sandblast Games (Destroy All Humans Path Of Furon) has been closed as well. Finally, it seems Rainbow Studios, the makers of the ATV games, most recently the fantastic PURE ATV game, is going to see some layoffs. Oh boy, let's hope this is it!

THQ has filed suit against ActiBliz in California for copyright infringement. THQ claims that the Activision-Blizzard game "SCORE International Baja 1000" directly copies box art from THQ's "Baja: Edge Of Control." Once you look at the box art images, it is almost uncanny how similar they are. We think this one will go THQ's way.

THQ has announced it has acquired the publishing rights for the new 50 Cent game, Blood on the Sand. As you can see by the screenshots and videos, this game is shaping up to be a great looking title, at least. As for gameplay, we will see. Click read more for the full info.

PRESS RELEASE

AGOURA HILLS, Calif., Oct 23, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced the acquisition of the publishing rights for 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand for the Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system. The highly anticipated sequel to the multi-million unit selling title 50 Cent: Bulletproof, 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand will put gamers in the role of world famous hip hop artist 50 Cent as he, and members of G-Unit, battle their way across two war-torn countries on a mission to collect payment from a crime cartel boss. 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand is currently scheduled for worldwide release in early 2009, featuring run and gun shooter game play, brawler style combat, online co-op and eighteen exclusive new 50 Cent tracks.

THQ and SinBin have announced they are bringing Race 360 to the Xbox360 (duh). VirtualR seems to have what are the first screens from the game, and it looks pretty impressive. We discovered the game will feature 350 cars, 15 tracks, 7 modes, 2 player splitscreen, and up to 12 players online. Currently there are plans for seven DLC packages as well!

THQ has officially announced their new game based on the UFC. UFC 2009 Undisputed will feature all the major players from the mixed martial arts sport, and debut on the PS3 and Xbox360. The game is due in Spring 2009, click read more for the full info.

PRESS RELEASE

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. June 20, 2008 THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced that UFC® 2009 Undisputed, the company’s debut videogame based on the renowned Ultimate Fighting Championship® mixed martial arts organization, is in development for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and mobile devices. Featuring an authentic and comprehensive UFC atmosphere, including an extensive roster of the best mixed martial arts fighters in the world, UFC 2009 Undisputed is expected to begin shipping to retail outlets worldwide in spring 2009.

This one is certainly going to get the attention of some of our female constituency. James Scalpello, the Wireless Director over at THQ, claims that girls do not play as many games as guys because, well, they think they have better things to do.

"When girls play console games, they have to have gone through a whole other list of things they could have done before sitting down with them," he told CasualGaming.biz.

He claims there has never been a successful game pinpointed directly at girls, but The Sims franchise does come to mind. Then again, I know some of our teenage sisters here at GR who spend all day on portal game websites.

THQ and Marvel have inked a deal to develop games based on the Super Hero Squad toy figurines. The first game is set for release in 2009, and THQ has secured the exclusive rights to develop games for the brand on all platforms.

"Marvel is one of the true crown jewels in the entertainment industry and we are thrilled at the prospect of both building the Marvel Super Hero Squad brand and further developing our relationship with Marvel," said Brian Farrell, president and CEO of THQ.

According to THQ, the success of the Wii is making the kid's game market very competitive. In fact, THQ has cited the Wii as the reason that their traditionally strong children's software sect lost money last quarter.

Red Faction: Guerrilla from THQ is set fifty years after the original, and promising to redefine various things. Red Faction is a third-person action-shooter that re-defines destruction and will have an Open-world game-play.

PRESS RELEASE

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. February 20, 2008 - THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced that Volition, Inc.’s critically acclaimed Red Faction® franchise will make its open-world, next-generation debut with Red Faction®: Guerrilla™. Set 50 years after the climactic events of the original Red Faction, this third-person open-world action-shooter will return to Mars and once again re-define the limits of destruction-based game-play. Red Faction: Guerrilla is currently in development for Microsoft Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Sony PLAYSTATION® 3 computer entertainment system, and Windows-based PC, and is scheduled to ship in THQ’s fiscal year 2009.