THQ Inc., the American videogame developer and publisher,
known for games such as Saints Row, Company of Heroes, and Metro 2033, have
become defunct after years of financial troubles and debt and declared
bankruptcy in December. As of the 22nd of January they have sold off
all but one of its studios and related properties at an auction to
other video game developers such as Ubisoft and SEGA.
By November 13, 2012 THQ reported that they had defaulted on
a $50 million loan from Wells Fargo and with poor reception of previous games
and pushing back releases of new ones it was only a matter of time before the
company would have to dissolve.[1] “THQ
is laying off all employees whose divisions were not part of the sale,
retaining only a small staff to guide what remains of the company through the
remainder of the Chapter 11(of the US bankruptcy code) proceedings.” [2] THQ
CEO Brain Farrell said "while we had hoped that the restructuring process
would allow the company to remain intact, I am heartened that the majority of
our studios and games will continue under new ownership.”[3]
Here is the full run down of who got what:
·
Crytek, the developers of the Far Cry and Crysis
series, have purchased the rights to the Homefront series and are also
developing Homefront 2.
·
Ubisoft have the rights to the upcoming role
playing game South Park: The Stick of Truth as well as THQ Montreal who will be
joining their development team. South Park Studios is objecting the auction however
and do not wish to be owned by a company other than THQ.
·
SEGA have acquired Relic Entertainment, the
developer of real-time strategy games such as Warhammer 40,000 games and
Company of Heroes 2.
·
Koch Media bought Saints Row developer Volition
Inc as well as the Metro series.
·
Darksiders’ developers Vigil Games has remained
with THQ but Platinum Games’ CEO Atsushi Inaba has expressed interest in acquiring
the franchise.
·
Finally Take-Two purchased the publishing rights
to “Evolve”, a new game under development, and may possibly purchase the WWE
franchise as well.
It is sad that THQ have gone under as I
have fond memories of reckless shenanigans in Saints Row: The Third (sexual objectification
TO THE MAX; there is an essay and a half embedded in that game) and Metro 2033
is a deceptive, fascinating game as we have learned but we can only hope that
the new owners of such titles shall keep the standards high if they are to
release follow-ups and not lose any devoted gamers tracking these series. This is
the cut-throat side of business but here’s hoping for a brighter future as
doors close to allow new ones to open in this ever-changing industry.
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