WWE Lifts THQ's Fortunes News

THQ has today revealed its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2008, a three month period which has seen the publisher experience both highs and lows, including the closure of Concrete Games, the cancellation of Frontlines: Fuel of War on PlayStation 3 (though both Xbox 360 and PC editions remain on course for a release at the end of the month), and the cancellation of Destroy All Humans!: Big Willy Unleashed on PlayStation 2.

One of the primary highs for the company during the quarter, which ended on December 31st 2007, was WWE Smackdown vs RAW 2008, selling five million copies globally. The performance of the latest instalment is expected to continue into the current fourth fiscal quarter ending March 31st.

"During the holiday quarter, we were pleased with the record performance of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008," said Brian Farrell, THQ president and CEO.

Net sales during the three month period rose on the year from $475.7 million to $509.6 million, driven by sales of WWE together with Car: Mater-National and North American sales of MX vs ATV Untamed. Net income dropped year on year from $62.1 million to $15.5 million.

Farrell continued, "We continue to strengthen our product development capabilities to support our long-term strategy of creating new owned intellectual properties. We look forward to launching Frontlines: Fuel of War at the end of this month. In fiscal 2009, we are well positioned for increased sales and profitability with strong owned intellectual properties such as Red Faction and Saints Row and well-known licensed franchises including WWE, UFC, Disney/Pixar and Nickelodeon."

Looking ahead to fiscal year 2009, THQ reasserted the launches of Red Faction 3 and Saints Row 2 by Volition Inc, together with renewed focus on Nintendo's platforms, and a backbone of licensed properties including more WWE, Disney/Pixar's WALL-E, and Ultimate Fighting Championship.