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MCV 11/06/10 9 NEWS THQ unfazed by EA’s MMA challenge
‘We’re turning UFC into the finest fighting franchise in the world,’ says THQ ahead of rival fighter’s launch by Christopher Dring
THQ’S UFC series has nothing to fear from EA Sports new MMA brawler, insists VP of core games Danny Bilson. UFC was a surprise smash hit last year for THQ, and its follow-up – UFC 2010 – has
“
decided to enter the space with EA Sports MMA, which is due for release this year. But Bilson says THQ is not afraid of its rival and not just because it holds the official UFC licence. “I think it is a lot more than the licence. I think it is the experience this company has in
EA has a big challenge in front of them in terms of getting the quality up and doing it without a licence.
Danny Bilson, THQ
already debuted strongly in the UK and US. “UFC made our year last year,” said Bilson.
“It outperformed expectations in the US by almost double. We are growing UFC into the world’s finest fighting franchise.” With mixed martial arts proving to be hugely popular across the globe, EA has also
UNDISPUTED: The UFC series will go head-to- head with EA’s MMA game later this year but THQ says it has nothing to fear
‘CROSS-MEDIA IS THE WAY TO SELL GAMES IN THE FUTURE’
THQ’s core games boss Danny Bilson says that the firm’s plans for transmedia will be ‘eye-opening.’ The company has announced
building combat wrestling games,” adds Bilson. "We’ve been creating them for over ten years. EA has a big challenge in front of them in terms of getting the quality up and doing it without a licence. There is really no concern from us and our partners at UFC about what they are doing.” THQ: 01483 767656
” Exspect set for E3 debut
PERIPHERALS specialist Exspect is all set for its first year as an E3 exhibitor, with a strong line-up of partnerships to announce.
The firm will launch its new range of licensed PlayStation products at the show, created in collaboration with Sony. It will also showcase its strategic
partnership with British fashion label Joystick Junkies. “This is
Exspect’s first
time exhibiting at E3 after visiting,” said general manager Mike Sanderson.
“E3 has gone through a tough time since
the glory years, and whilst attending last year we felt that 2010 would be the right time to for us as a brand to show our wares to the world. “Exspect has grown its video game range over the past few years and we are now feeling confident in our product and licensing roadmap, showing unique and feature-led design products in all our ranges.”
Exspect: 01782 748700
NORDIC GAMES will publish three Wii racing games at ‘pocket-money’ prices. GP Classic Racing will hit shelves on July 9th, Rally Racer will be released on July 20th and Drag and Stock Racer arrives on August 8th. “Your Dad would stand no chance against you at GT5, but with any of our new Racer games at least you’d have a great laugh and it’d have cost you less than putting a suitcase on Ryanair,” said Nordic Games sales and
DEVELOPERS! PUBLISHERS!
GET INVOLVED in the biggest videogaming event in the UK Contact David Lilley: Email
david@eurogamer.net Web
expo.eurogamer.net
it will create Red Factionand De BlobTV programmes in collaboration with SyFy that take licensing to a new level. But Bilson has told MCV
there is a lot more to come with major announcements due this summer. “Some of us in the business
have been working on the transmedia dream for almost 15 years,” he said. “At THQ we have the
support, the ability and creative partnerships to realise that vision. We are going to be rolling out some huge announcements this summer around transmedia.”
Budget Wii racers ready for summer
CHEAP THRILLS: Nordic is releasing three budget racers
marketing director Nik Blower. “Pocket-money gaming never went away and not everyone wants second-hand games for their birthday.” Nordic: 020 7292 8330
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