"The Next Great Sequel in The Saints Row Franchise" scheduled for a 2013 release. Literally

by: Nathan - posted: 6/20/2012 9:42:00 AM

First the bad news. The stand alone expansion to Saints Row The Third, "Enter The Dominatrix" has been cancelled. The good news is that the expansion has been incorporated into a true Saints Row sequel entitled "The Next Great Sequel in The Saints Row Franchise." I really hope that name sticks because that is amazing. THQ President Jason Rubin said that the expansion had so much potential that he asked the team to give it more time to make it into a full fledged sequel. The sequel is scheduled to be released in 2013. More info as it becomes available! 

Saints Row: The Third – Enter the Dominatrix Now Part of Something Bigger Than Itself

Cumulative Awesomeness of Gameplay Experience Can No Longer Fit into Expansion Pack; Enter The Dominatrix Will Be Incorporated into the Next Great Sequel in the Saints Row Franchise

AGOURA HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) and Volition, Inc. today announced development of the standalone expansion Saints Row®: The Third – Enter the Dominatrix™ will now be incorporated into production of the next great sequel in the Saints Row® franchise, tentatively titled “The Next Great Sequel in the Saints Row Franchise.”

"When I looked at the Enter The Dominatrix expansion in production at Volition, I was blown away by the ideas and desire to expand the fiction of the franchise,” said Jason Rubin, THQ’s President. “I asked the team what it could achieve given more time, more resources, and a broader scope for the project. We all agreed we wanted to play that game. When it comes to Saints Row, it’s clear our fans want bigger, better, and even more over the top, and that’s why Enter The Dominatrix will now be incorporated into a vastly expanded, full-fledged sequel, scheduled for calendar 2013.”

Added Rubin, “We believe the potential for this sequel is far greater as a full-priced, full-length, high quality, connected experience.”

The change in production will shift net sales from THQ’s 2013 fiscal year into fiscal 2014. As a result, THQ currently expects to have an approximate $20 million reduction to non-GAAP net sales and an approximate ($0.03) impact to non-GAAP net loss per share for fiscal 2013 when compared with previously-announced guidance.

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, wireless devices and the Internet. 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 http://www.thq.com/. THQ, Saints Row, Saints Row: The Third, Saints Row: The Third – Enter the Dominatrix and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.

THQ Inc. Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that are 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 of video game console and software growth, financial guidance, estimated release dates, and the potential for online gaming. These statements 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 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2012, and particularly the discussion of trends and 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.