THQ
From toys to games: the rise and fall of THQ.
THQ Inc. was an American video game company based in Agoura Hills, California. It was founded in April 1990 by Jack Friedman, originally in Calabasas, and became a public company the following year through a reverse merger takeover. Initially working in the toy business, it expanded into the video game business through several acquisitions before shifting its focus away from toys entirely. THQ continued its trend of acquiring companies throughout the 2000s.
Quick Facts
- Founded
- 1989
- Headquarters
- Agoura Hills, California
- Tribes releases published
- Tribes 2 (2001), Tribes: Vengeance (2004), Tribes: Ascend (2012)
- Other notable franchises
- Red Faction
- Darksiders
- Homefront
- F.E.A.R.
- Status
- Defunct (bankrupt 2013, assets auctioned)
Lore & Background
THQ published both internally created and externally licensed content. Its internally created game series included Darksiders, De Blob, Destroy All Humans!, MX vs. ATV, Red Faction, and Saints Row, among others. The company also held exclusive, long-term licensing agreements with sports and entertainment content creators, such as Disney/Pixar, DreamWorks Animation, Nickelodeon, and WWE. After years of financial struggles, THQ filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2012 and commenced liquidation of its assets the following month. The 'THQ' trademark was acquired by Nordic Games in 2014, which assumed the name 'THQ Nordic' in 2016.
Reader's Guide
It only describes the company's history and operations.
Did You Know?
- THQ is an initialism for 'Toy Headquarters'.
- THQ withdrew completely from the toy business in 1994 to focus solely on video game production.
- In 2007, THQ reported its highest annual sales figures and net profits ever, with revenues over $1 billion.
- THQ unveiled the uDraw GameTablet for the Wii in August 2010.
More in Development & Legacy
Elsewhere in Tribes
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