THQ Exits Kid Game Business, Will Focus on Core Franchises

Video game publisher THQ has announced that it plans to exit the kids-oriented video games business that it has been traditionally linked to and focus on the future development of a number of core game franchises, concentrated on both retail and digital distribution.

THQ says that it plans to continue selling some of its biggest kid-oriented titles for the coming future but that it will no longer use the associated licenses for future video games.

Brian Farrell, who is both the president and chief executive officer at THQ, stated, “THQ will be a more streamlined organization focused only on our strongest franchises. The success of Saints Row®: The Third™ is an example of what our revised strategy and focus can achieve.”

He added, “Additionally, our robust digital content offerings for this game have resulted in the highest digital revenue of any console title in our history.”

The core titles that the publisher is talking about include the upcoming UFC Undisputed 3 and Darksiders II but also series like Company of Heroes, Saints Row, Warhammer 40,000, insane and a whole new franchise from Patrice Désilets and his team.

The company says that in early February it will be releasing more information about its new business model and about how it will affect its financial results and the prospects of its shareholders.

A few weeks ago a rumor appeared from an insider which said that THQ has canceled the entire launch line-up for 2013, including the much-awaited Warhammer 40,000 MMO, because the company was preparing to be acquired by another entity.

Since then THQ denied the rumors and stated that all its long-term projects were still being worked on, although some changes of strategy might soon be announced.

Warhammer 40,000: Dark Millenium Online was announced a few years back and THQ said that it would be one of the biggest MMOs ever to be released.