THQ Announces MotoGP: Online Demo to Ship With Xbox Live Starter Kit; Trial Version Allows Xbox Live Owners to Experience the Thrill of MotoGP Online Racing
CALABASAS HILLS, Calif.--Sept. 25, 2002--THQ Inc. today announced that a trial version of its critically acclaimed MotoGP for the Xbox(TM) video game system from Microsoft will be shipping with the Xbox Live Starter Kit on November 15. Dubbed MotoGP: Online Demo, this playable, trial version will allow players to experience the world's fastest, most advanced form of motorcycle racing online with up to 16 other Xbox Live players on three separate courses. As a bonus for those Xbox owners who already own the full retail version of MotoGP that shipped earlier this year, the Xbox Live Starter Kit will completely unlock online play for all of the tracks in the game."This is the type of entertainment experience the videogame industry has been moving towards for years. MotoGP is an intense racing game you can play online-- not just another online game," stated Tim Walsh, senior vice president, International publishing, THQ. "THQ is very proud to be setting such a high standard with MotoGP as the first third party publisher to deliver for Xbox Live."
In MotoGP: Online Demo players will have access to 23 riders as well as three courses: Jerez, Mugello and Sachsenring. The demo lets gamers check out two gameplay modes: "Play Live" allows them to race against 16 other Xbox Live players and trash talk with the three closest riders using the Xbox Communicator, while "Time Trial" lets them attempt to set the best lap time in a solo race. MotoGP also supports voice masking with eight different preset options, including an option where gamers can fully customize their voice. For those who already own the full version of MotoGP, the Xbox Live Starter Kit will completely unlock online play for all of the tracks in the game. Owners of the full version can also import custom riders into the game and race with them online. Those who have yet to purchase the full game can still take MotoGP for a spin on the locked tracks as a ghost rider.
About MotoGP
MotoGP is the world's fastest, most advanced form of motorcycle racing. With 16 Grand Prix races taking place on all five continents, MotoGP is watched in 192 countries around the world with an average audience of 329 million television viewers per event. The world's leading motorcycle manufacturers including Honda, Suzuki, Aprilia and Yamaha all participate with their own state-of-the-art, high-tech motorcycles unique to the MotoGP World Championships and other manufacturers such as Ducati and Kawasaki are ready to join the field. MotoGP is owned and controlled by Dorna Sports.
MotoGP puts players in control of some of the most advanced racing machines on the planet. Developed by Climax, the game features ten real world tracks, all of the 500cc bikes and riders from the 2001 MotoGP series and an intuitive, arcade style control system with experience credits for the hardcore racing fan. With a variety of innovative gameplay elements, supported by revolutionary graphical and technical features, MotoGP brings the ideal mix of speed, style and technology to Xbox. Ultra realistic vehicle physics, the ability to develop and customize riders, and a four-player, split-screen, multiplayer mode make this one of the most in-depth motorcycle racing games to date. Climax's proprietary DYNE physics model provides superior handling, range of stunts such as wheelies, endos, and burnouts, and convincing rider tumbles during crash sequences.
About Dorna
Dorna, based in Madrid, Spain, controls the world's top motorcycle sports, including the Motocross World Championships, the Supercross World Championships and MotoGP. The Dorna Web site is located at http://www.motograndprix.com.
About THQ
THQ Inc. develops and publishes interactive entertainment software worldwide for a variety of hardware platforms including PC CD-ROM, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., Nintendo and Microsoft. The THQ Web site is located at www.thq.com.
About Xbox
Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/) is Microsoft's future-generation video game system that delivers the most powerful games experiences ever. Xbox empowers game artists by giving them the technology to fulfill their creative visions as never before, creating games that blur the lines between fantasy and reality. Xbox is now available in North America, Japan, Europe and Australia.
This press release contains statements that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about THQ's business based, in part, on assumptions made by its management. These statements are not guarantees of THQ's future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including, but not limited to, those described above and the following: changes in demand for THQ's products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the impact of competitive products and pricing and difficulties encountered in the integration of acquired businesses. In addition, such statements could be affected by growth rates and market conditions relating to the interactive software industry and general domestic and international economic conditions. Specific information concerning these and other such factors is contained in THQ's Prospectus dated March 26, 2002 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 27, 2002. A copy of this filing may be obtained by contacting THQ or the SEC. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and THQ does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.
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