PRIMEDIA's Hot Rod Extends Brand with Second PC Game

NEW YORK--Sept. 27, 2004--

ValuSoft's HOT ROD: GARAGE TO GLORY(TM) Sequel Game Builds on Success of Top Selling Hot-Rod: American Street Drag(TM) PC Game

PRIMEDIA Enterprises, the worldwide brand licensing division for PRIMEDIA Inc. , the leading targeted media company and ValuSoft(R), a division of leading videogame publisher THQ(R) Inc. , today announced a new PC game, Hot Rod: Garage to Glory(TM). Combining the editorial expertise of Hot Rod Magazine with remarkably realistic graphics and innovative game play features, Hot Rod: Garage to Glory(TM) offers consumers the most authentic hot rodding experience to date. Hot Rod Magazine, which reaches more than seven million readers per month, is the dominant publication for hot rodding enthusiasts and is credited with shaping the now billion-dollar performance automotive industry more than 55 years ago.

"The success of the first Hot Rod game proves that Hot Rod is a flagship brand among automotive enthusiasts," said Jacqueline Blum, president, PRIMEDIA Enterprises. "With the Hot Rod name, consumers know they are getting a game whose play pattern is authentic and relevant to their hot rodding lifestyle."

"It is a pleasure to work with an industry leading magazine like Hot Rod. Their editors provided critical feedback to help us develop the most realistic game possible," said Doug Clemmer, president of ValuSoft. "Their knowledge of the hot rodding industry made our first game a hit among hot rodders and racing fans alike and this one is sure to follow."

The new game allows hot rod enthusiasts to buy, build and race their own dream machine. With realistic racing scenarios and non-stop action, players feel like they're right there on the strip. When their hot rod dream machine wins the coveted Hot Rod "Pump Gas Drag" event, the players are featured on a virtual cover of Hot Rod Magazine.

"Millions of readers are already working on performance enhancements for their cars," said Ira Gabriel, publisher of Hot Rod Magazine. "This game brings the hobby to life through the home computer, allowing everyone to live out their dreams on the track."

Hot Rod: Garage to Glory(TM) is rated "E" for Everyone and will be available at retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $19.99. To learn more about the new Hot Rod: Garage to Glory(TM) PC game, and to see screen shots go to www.valusoft.com.

About Hot Rod Magazine

Published by PRIMEDIA, Hot Rod Magazine is the world's largest and most influential automotive performance publication reaching 7.2 million readers per month. Hot Rod is a recognized brand that spawned an industry 56 years ago and now includes Hot Rod TV, www.hotrod.com, the Hot Rod Power Tour, and a range of Hot Rod licensed products including collectibles, radio-controlled cars, apparel, and more.

About PRIMEDIA Enterprises

PRIMEDIA Enterprises is the worldwide brand licensing division for PRIMEDIA's 250 publications, having established brand extension programs for titles such as Motor Trend, Hot Rod, Lowrider, Super Street, Import Tuner, In-Fisherman, and Creating Keepsakes. PRIMEDIA Enterprises extends the company's brands into consumer product categories such as apparel, accessories, toys, interactive games, automotive accessories and equipment, books, and calendars, as well as service licensing and promotions. Internationally, PRIMEDIA's content and brands are licensed in more than a dozen countries around the world.

About ValuSoft(R)

ValuSoft, a division of THQ Inc., is a leading global publisher and distributor of consumer-priced software. Based in suburban Minneapolis, MN, ValuSoft markets a wide variety of interactive entertainment and productivity software to the mass-market audience. ValuSoft can be found on the World Wide Web at www.valusoft.com.

About THQ(R) Inc.

THQ Inc. is a leading, worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems including the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system from Sony Computer Entertainment and the Xbox(r) videogame system from Microsoft(r), Nintendo(r) GameCube(r) and Game Boy(r) Advance, personal computers as well as wireless devices. The THQ web site is located at www.thq.com. THQ and ValuSoft are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.