AGOURA HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Let the games begin! THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) and Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products today announced the planned April 12th release of a fast-paced, party-style video game inspired by Fox’s upcoming animated 3D movie event RIO, its comedic and heartfelt characters, infectious energy, and inspiring music. From Blue Sky Studios, the makers of the blockbuster ICE AGE film series, RIO arrives in theaters everywhere on April 15. The video game will be available on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, the Wii™ system, and the Nintendo DS™ family of hand-held systems.
“RIO’s humor, compelling characters, thrilling story, colorful characters and wonderful music inspired us to create a unique and imaginative game experience,” said Martin Good, THQ’s Executive Vice President of Kids, Family and Casual Games.
“RIO is one of the biggest family film events of the year and is tailor made to be enjoyed through a video game that will bring the same experience to gamers of all ages,” added Gary Rosenfeld, Senior Vice President, New Media for Fox Consumer Products.
On Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii systems, up to four players can compete with each other in 40 mini-games as one of the six playable characters from the film: Blu, Jewel, Pedro, Nico, Raphael, and Eva. Players can compete in five unique modes as they journey through Rio to win first place in the ceremony at the Carnaval ceremony. Rio also features quick “jump in, jump out” gameplay, allowing players to enter and exit a game as they please – making it perfect for family and party fun.
For on-the-go excitement, the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi™ versions offer a completely different game from the console version via a rhythm-based adventure. As the main character from the film, Blu, players can use their stylus to discover Latin and hip hop beats as they navigate through 20 levels and seven colorful locations. Rio also features four fun mini-games where players will be able to party with the other characters from the film.
For more information on RIO, please visit www.riovideogame.com or www.thq.com.
About Rio
RIO is a new family comedy adventure from Blue Sky Studios, the makers of the ICE AGE franchise. The 3-D film focuses on a domesticated Macaw named Blu, who travels to the faraway and exotic land of Rio de Janeiro to find Jewel, the only other bird of his species. Not long after Blu and his owner/best friend Linda arrive in Rio, Blu and Jewel are kidnapped by a group of bungling animal smugglers, and with the help of a group of wise-cracking and smooth-talking city birds, Blu will have to learn to fly, escape the kidnappers, and return to Linda, the best friend a bird ever had.
RIO will hit theaters April 15, 2011 and boasts an amazing voice cast including the talents of Anne Hathaway, Tracy Morgan, George Lopez, Jesse Eisenberg, and Jamie Foxx along with original songs from Grammy® Award Winner and hip hop megastar Will.i.am (Black Eyed Peas), Taio Cruz, Brazilian bossa nova legend Sergio Mendes and a film score composed by John Powell (Grammy Award® Winner for Happy Feet).
About THQ
THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com. THQ and the THQ logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.
About Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products:
A recognized industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products licenses and markets properties worldwide on behalf of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Twentieth Television and Fox Broadcasting Company, as well as third party lines. The division is aligned with Twentieth Century Fox Television, one of the top suppliers of primetime entertainment programming to the broadcast networks.
Wii and Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi are trademarks of Nintendo.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the business of THQ Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “THQ”), including, but not limited to, expectations and projections related to the Rio video game, and are based upon management’s current beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, business, competitive, economic, legal, political and technological factors affecting our industry, operations, markets, products or pricing. Readers should carefully review the risk factors and the information that could materially affect THQ’s financial results, described in other documents that THQ files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2010, and particularly the discussion of risk factors set forth therein. Unless otherwise required by law, THQ disclaims any obligation to update its view on any such risks or uncertainties or to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.
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