Tag: Thq
Review Summoner (PS2) - Ambitious RPG Remains a Relic of the Past
They sure don't make 'em like this anymore
Summoner is a party-based CRPG that launched on PS2 in 2000, and it was recently given a new lease on life thanks to a re-release on PS5 and PS4 via PlayStation's Classics push. Developed by Volition (later Deep Silver, of Saint's Row fame), the studio's ambitious and expansive effort was marred by a lack...
News PS2 Launch Title Summoner Surprises with a Full Slate of PS5, PS4 Trophies
Platinum armour
Summoner wasn’t the standout PS2 launch title, but it has its fair share of fans. Now the Volition developed action RPG can be enjoyed afresh on PS5 and PS4 as part of Sony’s PS Plus Premium emulation efforts – and perhaps as a surprise, it has a Platinum Trophy to unlock. The Japanese giant’s generally only added Trophies to...
News Forgotten PS2 Launch RPG Summoner Resurrected for PS5, PS4
You could say it's been summoned
What game did you get with your PS2? Tekken Tag Tournament, perhaps? Ridge Racer 5? FantaVision?! We’re going to go out on a limb and assume not many of you picked THQ’s Summoner, an ancient WRPG with a penchant for reams of text and some scruffy visuals. Developed by Volition, this is likely one of the forgotten...
News This Is the PS3 Avengers Game You Never Played
Disassembled
Marvel’s Avengers launches on the PlayStation 4 this week, marking a huge moment for an iconic franchise. Things were almost so different, however, as THQ Studios Australia once embarked on its own Avengers project for the PlayStation 3 – but it obviously never saw the light of day. The title was planned to accompany the 2012 movie,...
News Official Darksiders III Reveal Trailer Brings the Fury
Whip it good
In case you missed the news earlier today, an Amazon listing leaked the existence of Darksiders III, complete with screenshots and gameplay details. Now, admittedly a little late to the party, the game's official reveal trailer has gone up on YouTube. It's not exactly original or particularly exciting, but hey, at least we know the...
News Darksiders III Completely Leaked, Open World with a Magical Main Character
Furious
Nice one Amazon, you've just completely leaked Darksiders III ahead of its official announcement - which we assume was planned for some point this week. The online retailer had the action role-playing sequel listed in all of its glory, complete with all the juicy details and even screenshots, as nabbed by Gematsu. So, the big story here...
News You Can, Er, Play Saints Row Undercover on Your PSP Now
Gat a load of this
Remember that crumby, cancelled Saints Row game for the PSP? Well, you can play it now. Volition has released the unfinished .iso file online, allowing you to test out the unreleased title for free. This is a pretty unprecedented move, so kudos to the developer for getting the game out into the public domain. We've no idea how...
News Saints Row Undercover Almost Took a Dump on PSP
Volition unearths forgotten project
There are already a handful of canned Saints Row projects that have leaked over the years, but Saints Row Undercover – a PlayStation Portable spin-off of Saints Row 2 – was forgotten by practically everyone. The project was officially cancelled all the way back in 2009, and has been left sitting in a Volition...
News Nu-Metal Band Korn Would Have Been All Over This Cancelled Saints Row Game
Freak on a leash
Saints Row is no stranger to cancelled games, as regular readers may recall the PlayStation Move-based brawler that was revealed recently. However, this footage from Saints Row: Money Shot is a first for us, as it shows a free-to-play arcade game that was once in production for the PlayStation 3 – an
News There Was Almost a Saints Row Brawler for PlayStation Move
Enter the dominatrix
In many ways, the PlayStation Move seems like a perfect controller for the Saints Row series – after all, the ill-fated motion wand already resembles a great big vibrating... Seriously, though, Unseen64.net has unearthed a bunch of information on Saints Row: The Cooler,
News Darksiders, Red Faction, and Other THQ Assets Purchased by Nordic Games
Gavel gazing
Death’s gigantic hammer has fallen on deceased publisher THQ’s remaining assets, deeming Nordic Games the new owner of Darksiders, Red Faction, and various other properties. The publisher paid a whopping $4.9 million for the assortment pack of IP, also grabbing MX vs. ATV, Destroy All Humans, and Marvel Super Hero Squad in the...
Rumour Take Two Wrestles the WWE License from THQ
Blood, sweat, and tiny pants
While the majority of THQ’s franchises found new homes yesterday, there’s still been no official word on the future of the WWE license. Early rumours suggested that EA had picked up the lucrative contract, but that’s been countered by an IGN report which claims that Take Two made a last minute bid for the series...
News THQ's Assets Are Divided, Deep Silver Snatches Saints Row
Thanks for the memories
The auction for THQ’s assets has concluded, with the publisher closing up shop as a result. After a gruelling 22 hour auction process, intermediaries decided that individual bids would net a greater cash return for the debt riddled company, resulting in the demise of the once prolific publisher. The new owners of many of...
Opinion Warner Bros Is the Perfect Fit for Saints Row
Grand theft auto
As we type, various companies and venture capitalists are picking at the bones of fallen publisher THQ. The organisation’s assets are being auctioned off individually, meaning it’s entirely possible that the likes of Homefront, Red Faction, and
News Darksiders Brays onto North American PlayStation Plus
Apocalyptic addition
THQ may be on the cusp of commercial collapse, but that’s not stopping the publisher from giving away complimentary copies of the original Darksiders to North American PlayStation Plus subscribers. Assuming you’re a member, you’ll be able to grab the title for free from later today. Other goodies include a 50 per cent...
News THQ Franchises Available Individually, EA in the Running
Open your cheque book
Ever since creditors complained about THQ's quick sale to equity firm Clearlake Capital, things have gone from bad to worse for the embattled publisher. What initially seemed like a crafty way of protecting the company as on ongoing concern has quickly transformed into a bidding war for the firm’s most valuable assets – and...
News Judge Blocks THQ's Quick Sale, Warner Bros Starts Sniffing
Scratches head
Who fancies some serious legal mumbo jumbo before bed? THQ’s attempt at a quick sale to equity firm Clearlake Capital has been blocked following complaints from irked creditors. Earlier this week, the miffed parties noted that the proposed takeover had been purposely designed to minimise disruption, rather than maximise debt...
Rumour Ubisoft Could Publish the Next Saints Row Game
Assassin's greed
There’s just enough time for one more rumour before the games industry closes down for Christmas. According to sources close to MCV, Ubisoft is plotting a bid for THQ’s assets. If successful, the French company would control all of the struggling publisher’s studios and intellectual property, including franchises such as...
News THQ Selling Assets, Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Oh no
The writing’s been on the wall for a while, but publisher THQ has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy today. The company’s currently in the process of selling all of its assets to Clearlake Capital Group, a private equity firm. Once complete, Clearlake will control “THQ's operating business, including THQ's four owned studios and games in...
News THQ Delays Its Entire Upcoming Line-up, Seeks Additional Capital
Gulp
Things sure aren't looking particularly rosy for troubled publisher THQ. Despite cutting its operating losses to $19 million compared to last year's terrifying $97 million, the company still can't catch a break. During a financial briefing earlier this evening, the organisation reported net sales of $107 million – before delaying its entire...
News THQ Fashions 30th October Launch for Darksiders 2 DLC
Hellish hearth
Death will reign once again this Hallowe’en, when THQ deploys Darksiders 2’s second big chunk of DLC. The cryptically titled Abyssal Forge will be available on PlayStation 3 from 30th October in North America. Those of you living overseas will have an extra day to prepare for the apocalyptic arrival, when the content appears on...
News Metro: Last Light Focusing Spotlight on Single-Player
Light the way
Developer 4A Games has decided to scrap Metro: Last Light’s multiplayer component, opting to concentrate its resources on creating an exceptional single-player campaign instead. The competitive mode was revealed shortly after the game’s initial announcement – a move that the studio feels was “probably a mistake”. "Throughout...
News Saints Row: The Third Collates the Chaos This November
Bulging package
If you still haven’t snapped up THQ’s nonsense sandbox sequel Saints Row: The Third, then the publisher hopes to make things really simple for you this November. It’s announced a complete edition of the year-old adventure, containing the original game alongside a wealth of expansion packs. As part of the collection you’ll...
News THQ Shelves Guillermo Del Toro's inSANE
Not exactly crazy
In arguably the most unsurprising turn of events, THQ has ceased development on Guillermo Del Toro's inSANE and returned the rights to the Mexican director. The information was announced during THQ’s quarterly financial call overnight, in which the troubled publisher actually exceeded expectations. It recorded a net income of...
News Darksiders II Comes Knocking in New TV Commercial
At Death's door
THQ might not have much money left in the bank, but it’s still got enough to plop a dramatisation of the apocalypse in between Coronation Street. This new Darksiders II television spot shows protagonist Death riding into oncoming traffic, while people run for their lives. We don’t know what’s wrong with them, really – the...
News Latest Darksiders II Trailer Rides Online
'Til death do us part
With Death’s arrival imminent on PlayStation 3, THQ has released a brand new in-engine trailer depicting what the apocalypse will look like when Darksiders II rides into retail next month. The melodramatic short shows off plenty of gameplay footage, but if you’re still not sold on the sought after sequel, check out our...
News Darksiders II Soundtrack Now Available for Pre-Order
Sounds like Death itself, supposedly
Sumthing Else Music Works and THQ have announced that the upcoming Darksiders II will be receiving its very own two-disc soundtrack for you to listen while you're not riding into battle and restoring mankind. The soundtrack will feature scores by Assassin's Creed and Hitman composer, Jesper Kyd, whose...
News THQ Returns Devil's Third Rights Back to Valhalla
Where the heart is
THQ has kindly signed the rights to Devil’s Third back to its creator Valhalla Game Studios. Chatting with Eurogamer.net, the troubled publisher confirmed the news: “All of the game's IP rights have been returned to [founder Tomonobu] Itagaki and the Valhalla team.” The publisher revealed last month that it would not...
News Saints Row: The Third Expansion Bundled into Sequel
Exit the dominatrix
THQ has announced that its standalone expansion Saints Row: The Third – Enter the Dominatrix is no more. The disc-based add-on had been planned for a September release, but will now be folded into the “The Next Great Sequel in the Saints Row Franchise”. That's due out next year. New president Jason Rubin explained the...
News Mike Tyson Punches His Way into WWE '13
What?
See that headline in big, black writing at the top of your screen: we’re not making it up. We almost spilled hot tea all over our desk when we read the press release from THQ, but the publisher seems pretty serious about it. As far as we know, it’s not April Fools’ Day today. Nope, professional boxer and occasional ear-biter Mike Tyson...
News Live Action Darksiders II Trailer Gets Melodramatic
Death lives
Live action video game trailers almost always take themselves too seriously, and this new Darksiders II video is no different. In it, a bearded gentleman preaches about the arrival of death, shortly before the unwanted hoodlum predictably gatecrashes the sermon. Watch the video below for over-the-top acting and bad computer graphics...
News South Park: The Stick of Truth Kills Kenny on 5th March
Trey bien
As part of Xbox’s E3 press conference this evening, Microsoft ushered out South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone who – after taking a well timed dig at the rest of the press conference – announced that its upcoming collaboration with THQ, South Park: The Stick of Truth, is set to release on multiple platforms on 5th March,...
News Danny Bilson Departs THQ, Rubin Steps In
All change
THQ has confirmed that Danny Bilson, the vice president of core games, has departed the troubled publisher. He will be replaced by Naughty Dog co-founder Jason Rubin in a slightly different role, which will see him oversee development, marketing and publishing. Bilson will be joined by senior vice president of core games Dave Davis out...
News Leaked WWE '13 Trailer Slams Online
Live the revolution
The action depicted in this leaked WWE '13 trailer was clearly too intense to stay secret for long, hence its premature arrival on YouTube. The reveal for THQ’s next wrestling title is as raucous and acrobatic as you’d expect, featuring footage of favourites such as The Undertaker, Stone Cold Steve Austin and Mankind, among...
News Live Action Metro: Last Light Trailer is Appropriately Dark
Lights out
Enjoying the sunshine and smiles that the warm weather brings? That’s no good: the world is in financial meltdown and the end is nigh – you should be feeling depressed, and perhaps even a little bit mad. Don’t worry, though, we have the perfect antidote for your ill-placed optimism. Embedded below is a live action trailer for...
News THQ Reaffirms Existence of inSANE
Not lost the plot
Famed director Guillermo Del Toro's first foray into video games, inSANE, has not been cancelled, troubled publisher THQ has confirmed. While it has dropped Tomonobu Itagaki's Devil’s Third, it has confirmed continued development on the mysterious PS3 survival horror title. Very little is known about inSANE other than its...
News Red Faction II Fires onto PSN Tomorrow
Rebellion
A juicy little tidbit for those of you that feel the PlayStation 3 needs more first-person shooters: THQ is reloading its PS2 classic Red Faction II for release on the PlayStation Store this week. The Volition favourite originally launched on Sony’s system in 2002, and has garnered cult status in the years since. There’s no word on...
News THQ Won't Have a Booth at This Year's E3
Limited presence
E3 is an expensive endeavour, especially if you’re beleaguered publisher THQ. While the company’s fortunes appear to have improved over the past couple of weeks, it has decided against splashing out on a costly booth at this year’s show. The decision seems like a sound one: the publisher will still be present at the show,...
News Saints Row: The Third April Fools' Gag is No Longer a Joke
Sucker punch
If you thought Saints Row: The Third’s “Enter the Dominatrix” April Fools’ gag was nothing but a silly joke, well, the punch line’s on you, friend. In a brilliant press release sent out to the media this afternoon, publisher THQ has officially confirmed the standalone expansion for release at retail this Fall. It’ll cost you...
News Darksiders II Staying in the Shadows until August
Die another day
THQ’s delayed the release of Darksiders II until August. The game was originally scheduled to release on PS3 in late June, but the publisher has decided to hold the sequel back in order to ensure it meets the “high quality bar the team is targeting”. Developer Vigil Games added in an FAQ that the delay has nothing to do with...
News Take-Two: "THQ Won't Be Around in Six Months"
Laying it bare
Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick doesn’t foresee much longevity for troubled publisher THQ – the gaffer told an audience at the MIT Business in Gaming Conference that he believes the firm will be fully shuttered in six months time. Zelnick expanded that he believes the publisher’s biggest mistake was working with licensed...
News Saints Row: The Third Explains the Trouble with Clones
Gat's back
It’s probably telling that Saints Row: The Third’s latest DLC pack – which sees former series protagonist Johnny Gat brought back to life as a thirty-foot clone – seems a bit tame. Don’t get us wrong, we like the idea of gaining superpowers from drinking the Saints’ own brand of energy drink (Saints Flow for those curious),...
News Crytek Confident Homefront 2 Can Succeed
Long-term investment
Homefront divided opinion upon its release in early 2011. Despite not receiving particularly positive reviews, the THQ published first-person shooter enjoyed a fairly favourable commercial reception, thanks in part to a strong promotional push. The sequel to Homefront is currently in development at former TimeSplitters studio...
News Darksiders II Pre-orders Go Premium
At death's door
Those of you that register early interest in the upcoming Darksiders II will get a little extra contrent for your enthusiasm. Publisher THQ’s announced that it’s upgrading all pre-orders of the adventure title to the limited edition version at no extra charge. The limited edition will ship with a code to download the game’s...
News Saints Row: The Third Goes Twilight in New DLC
Edward you believe it?
When we were at high-school, the kid with ginger hair and pale skin was always the one that got laughed at. But since the emergence of the Twilight series – and more importantly, Edward Cullen – that same stereotype’s turned into the ultimate lady magnet. Nah, we don’t get it either, but apparently vampires are the new...
News WWE WrestleFest Chokeslams PSN This Year
Coin-op classic
THQ’s announced that an update of the legitimately brilliant arcade wrestling title, WWF WrestleFest, is headed to the PlayStation Network later this year. Renamed WWE WrestleFest, the update promises upgraded visuals, a contemporary fighter roster, multiplayer, downloadable content and Road to WrestleMania progression play...
News Saints Row: The Third Sends Gangstas into Space
Keeping it classy
If you can’t get enough of Saints Row: The Third’s general wackiness and potty humour, then THQ’s got a treat for you; the open-world title’s latest DLC pack, Gangstas in Space, is set to take off next week on the PlayStation Store for $6.99. The content revolves around the Boss and new character Jenny Jaros who attempt to...
News Darksiders II Dances with Death This Summer
Slow dance in the sun
Normally we wouldn’t be up for inviting the Grim Reaper into our home, but in the case of Darksiders II we might be tempted to make an exception. According to the game’s official Twitter account, we’ll get to go hands-on with the dark Zelda inspired sequel this coming 26th June in North America and 29th June in Europe...
News Metro: Last Light Returns to the Shadows
Lights out for now
If you were looking forward to 4A Games and THQ’s survival shooter, Metro: Last Light, then you might want to clench your fists through the rest of this article. THQ’s third-quarter financial earnings report revealed that the publisher has pushed back the claustrophobic shooter until Q1 2013 (we know it’s confusing, but...
News THQ Cuts 240 Jobs, Slashes Salaries
The bad news doesn't stop for troubled publisher THQ
Following a slew of rumours yesterday, and warnings that the company might be delisted from the NASDAQ stock exchange, the company has announced that it has cut a whopping 240 jobs. According to a regulatory filing, the redundancies will go into effect before September, with the vast majority to...
