THQ feeding the animals in World of Zoo
Despite Blue Fang's previous work, these screenshots appear to take the player down to ground level (as opposed to a 3D isometric view) to interact with the animals on a much more personal level. It looks like you'll be tending to some of the animals' meal times with a feed bag, and using tools (like brushes and ... shovels?) to interact with them in more zookeeper-like ways. There's some form of star meter, which may be an indication of how large of an attraction that particular exhibit is for zoo visitors. And there's also some form of love meter which may be an indication of the animals' affection for you, since you'll be working towards a "magic moment" with the animals. No, I don't like the sound of that either, but I'm hoping it's benign.
The environments appear comically versitile (the panda exhibit not only has a Zen sand garden, but also a "wooden dummy" used in martial arts practice. And not to completely discount any of Jack Black's films, but I know for a fact that pandas don't really know kung fu. And while the the wildcats have African tribal masks on their fences, and the beavers have a Lincoln Log house on their property, I'm pretty sure that that panda exhibit will be the first example of racial profiling used in a zoo tycoon game.
And with National Geographic providing production assistance, there's always a chance that we might get to see a topless Neanderthal woman. Don't act like you don't look for them in those perfect-bound issues. National Geographic is like Playboy for social archaeologists.
New Intellectual Property Due to Come Out Roaring in Fall 2009 With Hands-on Interactive Gameplay and Packs of Customization Features
AGOURA HILLS, Calif. – June 1, 2009 – THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced its new, original intellectual property, World of Zoo™ is currently in development to make its scheduled debut for Wii™, Nintendo DS™ and Windows® PC this fall. World of Zoo takes players beyond the fences and into their own zoo, allowing them to care for and build relationships with numerous animals through hands-on interactive gameplay. Packed full of customization features, players will be able to experience their own personalized virtual zoo creating an experience unlike any other animal-based simulation game. In addition, the game will be showcased at the upcoming E3 Expo 2009 being held at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
“We are excited to introduce this game to animal lovers and zoo fans of all ages,” said Randy Shoemaker, vice president, global brand management at THQ. “This game expands the real-world zoo experience, giving players an all-access pass to interact with the world’s most amazing animals up close and personal.”
World of Zoo is a family-friendly game that will open the gates for gamers to freely roam their zoo in ways they have only imagined. With more than 90 different animals spanning 11 families to care for, players will have ample opportunities to engage with all types of species. The Animal Creator feature will allow players to create an unlimited number of animals and be able to customize each one. They can even add animals to any of the 20 different exhibits available in the game utilizing the Animal Adoption Network feature. Players can also learn about their animals through fun animal facts provided by National Geographic. Each animal is completely unique with different personalities and behaviors. It will be up to the player to determine ways to gain their trust and keep their animals happy, ultimately earning a Magic Moment from their animal.
World of Zoo is being developed by Blue Fang, creator of the highly successful Zoo Tycoon® series. For more information on this game, please visit www.worldofzoo.com. Information on the rest of THQ’s line-up of family-friendly titles is also available on www.playthq.com.
About National Geographic Ventures
National Geographic Ventures (NGV) is a wholly owned, taxable subsidiary of National Geographic Society, one of the largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations in the world. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the National Geographic Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. NGV, part of the editorial group National Geographic Global Media, includes National Geographic Television (NGT) production and distribution, National Geographic Television International, Digital Media (including Nationalgeographic.com) and National Geographic Extended Platforms Group, comprising the Mobile, Gaming and Maps business groups. NGV creates and distributes content across multi-platforms and media providing outlets for the hundreds of scientific and expedition-based grants awarded each year. For more information, go to www.nationalgeographic.com.
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 and www.playthq.com. THQ, World of Zoo and their logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.
Nintendo DS and Wii 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 World of Zoo 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, 2009, 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.
