14 DAY TRIAL // THQ plans to focus on bringing major names and not studios to develop games under its banner. Danny Bilson, THQ Core executive, declared that it was more important to hire talented developers and give them the space they need from the teams they want and to create great games rather than buying out whole companies. THQ recently hired Tomonobu Itakagi and his studio, Valhalla Game Studios.
This is just the first of big acquisitions that THQ is planning to make in the near future, according to Bilson. “Itagaki-san is the first major piece of talent that we’ve signed, but our strategy is to not acquire studios: it’s to work with talent,” said Bilson for VG247. “We’re seeking out some of the best talent in the world to build games for us. They were the first. You’re going to see two more announcements in the next six months of major talent coming to work here at THQ as well, and I’m really excited about what that’s going to do for our line-up.”
The THQ boss continued to comment on the fact that many great developers will start joining THQ not only because of the money it is offering, but because of the great creative medium the publisher grants them. Bilson boasted that his company has a different business model that encourages its developers to fully pursue their creative interests.
Furthermore, he said that, in a short while, Electronic Arts and Activision would have to compete with THQ, given big names that would soon sign in with the publisher. “Honestly? To compete with our friends at Activision and EA? I think they’re going to have to start worrying about competing with us. Everybody wants to work here. There are two big announcements coming that will blow your mind.” Devil's Third is Valhalla's first title, a shooter headed for the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3.