THQ Drops Kids Games, Focuses On "Core Franchises"
See Full ImageAfter rumors that THQ was canceling its entire 2012 slate of titles (which turned out to be false, of course), the publisher did announce that they're leaving one particular set of games behind.
According to a business statement, the Saints Row producer will be ditching the kids' licensed entertainment business and focusing exclusively on their core franchises and initiatives. No money in games for the young 'uns, huh?
THQ has distributed quite a few games for children in previous years, including a long line of Spongebob titles. But as CEO Brian Farrell said, the new THQ "will be a more streamlined organization" that will zero in on their strongest franchises. The key franchises in this case are the aforementioned Saints Row, along with UFC, Darksiders, Company of Heroes, Warhammer 40,000, and inSane (film director Guillermo Del Toro's game). Lastly, the company said it plans to "establish new franchises on the next generation of game devices."
Yep, just another publisher looking forward to the future...obviously, the not-so-distant future, as companies continue to mention the next generation in statements and interviews.
Tags: thq, thq games, thq kids games, thq titles
1/25/2012 10:11:14 AM Ben Dutka
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Comments (26 posts)
Beamboom
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 @ 1:02:06 PM
I have a vague idea but based on my understanding of the word I'd not call Saints Row gritty?
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Highlander
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 @ 1:04:08 PM
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Beamboom
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 @ 1:13:18 PM
I am genuinely unsure what it means. Does it mean more unplayful?
I thought it was more like "realistic/dark/serious/adult". Like the war themed games, who I've noticed often are called gritty. But none of those words describe saints row or even Red Faction Guerilla, so... So I ask. :-)
Last edited by Beamboom on 1/25/2012 1:19:34 PM
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Temjin001
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 @ 6:58:05 PM
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Fane1024
Thursday, January 26, 2012 @ 1:55:38 AM
You've got the right idea. Highlander doesn't like that sort of game, especially the blood and gore.
Last edited by Fane1024 on 1/26/2012 1:57:03 AM
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Beamboom
Thursday, January 26, 2012 @ 3:27:37 AM
According to the dictionary gritty means something rough, raw, realistically depict, in a way the opposite of glossy is how I understand it. Saints Row is so glossy the eyes get sore from the gloss, and so silly it lose touch with reality right from the opening scene :-D
I'd say Saints is as gritty as pac-man.
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Highlander
Thursday, January 26, 2012 @ 11:01:45 AM
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Temjin001
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 @ 11:07:35 AM
Reply
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WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 @ 4:41:39 PM
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bebestorm
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 @ 11:11:08 AM
Reply
Last edited by bebestorm on 1/25/2012 11:11:30 AM
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Temjin001
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 @ 11:23:51 AM
EDIT: had for $5 that is.. just a small detail =p
Last edited by Temjin001 on 1/25/2012 11:26:04 AM
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bebestorm
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 @ 8:26:42 PM
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tridon
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 @ 1:00:10 PM
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Beamboom
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 @ 1:06:09 PM
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Gotta love the Saints!
Last edited by Beamboom on 1/25/2012 1:06:33 PM
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Fane1024
Thursday, January 26, 2012 @ 1:59:42 AM
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Geobaldi
Thursday, January 26, 2012 @ 3:21:16 AM
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Beamboom
Thursday, January 26, 2012 @ 3:31:22 AM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 @ 4:40:52 PM
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cadpig
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 @ 5:54:30 PM
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Still can be to angry at THQ. Really glad we're getting followups to Company of heroes, Darksiders and Warhammer 40k.
Hey, THQ...The PS Vita is just screaming for some lovin'
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WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 @ 6:28:50 PM
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Temjin001
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 @ 7:02:04 PM
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BikerSaint
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 @ 8:47:36 PM
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It sold for $80 when it first came out, and last year I saw it discounted in stores for less than $30, which I was guessing was to get it out of their stores for good. Even GameStop had it selling for around $25.
Last edited by BikerSaint on 1/25/2012 8:50:17 PM
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Fane1024
Thursday, January 26, 2012 @ 2:01:13 AM
Last edited by Fane1024 on 1/26/2012 2:02:58 AM
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___________
Thursday, January 26, 2012 @ 1:39:47 AM
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this is exactly why i love THQ!
not only is every game they release really good, they actually learn from their mistakes too!
unlike other companies.......
$ony, M$, ubisoft, crapcom, $E, sega, you listening?
casual games have a place for them, its called the mobile phone!
or nintys devices, not on true next gen consoles!
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DjStiv3
Thursday, January 26, 2012 @ 3:18:44 PM
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anyway i would love for a new juiced game for the vita skip the ps3 even tho i love it it wud be sweeter on vita...
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Highlander
Reply
Wednesday, January 25, 2012 @ 10:27:28 AM
They didn't say consoles, so I think that they are speaking more broadly of gaming devices including handhelds, smartphones and tablets.
I'm actually discouraged by this news. The thing is that while there is a great variety in the games being made, new ideas can flow. The kids games that were being made by THQ might not be what they consider core, but who's to say whether a developer working on one of those games might not take inspiration from that and turn it into something innovative in another title?
Plus I have to say that while I'm not the greatest fan of SpongeBob, their remaining line up of games is not entirely full of whimsical play...Saints Row, along with UFC, Darksiders, Company of Heroes, Warhammer 40,000, and inSane.
Out of those I would say that Saint's Row was about the most 'playful' of the titles, but they all sit firmly in that classification of games that I am not a fan of - gritty.
Last edited by Highlander on 1/25/2012 10:30:03 AM