6,7 MCV581_final:6-7 MCV515
30/3/10
15:08
Page 1
6 MCV 02/04/10
WWW.MCVUK.COM
NEWS
THQ elated by ‘tremendous turnaround’ Troubled publisher confident it can maintain financial triumphs and core-focused sales successes until 2012 by James Batchelor THQ SAYS it has bounced back following financial troubles, and is working to ensure it carries this momentum over the next two years. The publisher’s senior vice president of European publishing Rory Donnelly told MCV the business is well on its way to
“
fiscal 2011 and we are positioned for accelerated growth in fiscal 2012.” The publisher’s biggest triumph of last year, UFC 2009 Undisputed, has sold more than 3.5m units worldwide, setting up this May’s forthcoming sequel for similar success. THQ has also seen high sales from January’s release of
We have a strong product line-up this year and are well positioned for accelerated growth in fiscal 2012. Rory Donnelly, THQ
achieving the goals it set out for fiscal 2010, and expects nothing but good news in the near future. “We have achieved a tremendous turnaround this year and we feel we are well positioned to increase our revenues, profitability and cash generation as we go forward,” he said. “We have a strong product line-up scheduled for release in
”
Darksiders, which has already sold 1.2m units, and its latest big launch Metro 2033 has been met with critical acclaim and respectable sales. These accomplishments are a far cry from THQ’s situation two years ago, when it suffered a string of quarterly losses, canned underperforming IPs such as Juiced and Stuntman, and cut back on its UK and European operations.
Play plots Easter sales bonanza ONLINE RETAIL giant Play.com is running a massive Easter sale, a key trading period it describes as second only to Christmas. The leading site is offering up to 80 per cent off selected games, music, DVD and Bluray releases, with games starting at £7.99. Discounted games are available on all formats and range from classic current gen titles to the biggest releases from recent months. “We’re currently running an Easter sale on site to maximise the opportunity the holiday
presents,” explained Play.com’s games buyer Keith Sharpe. “Traditionally Easter has been the second most important time of the year behind Christmas, particularly for gift purchases. Easter is very important time of the year for all retail, not just gaming.” The retailer will be advertising its sale by highlighting key deals through its website, as well as advertising on other sites and publications. Play.com’s sale follows the start of HMV’s own Easter promotion, which MCV reported on last week.
UNDISPUTED SUCCESS: Donnelly is confident the future is bright for THQ, thanks to the likes of UFC
“Our plan is to continue the strategy which we have successfully adopted over the past 12 months,” said Donnelly.
“We will develop fewer, bigger core games and defend our position as leader in the fighting category. We will also rationalise our strong kids
portfolio as well as aggressively address both the mass market and new emerging casual gamer audiences.” THQ: 01483 724500
BRENNAN AND GIBBS PROMOTED AT GAME
Martyn Gibbs has become managing director of GAME Group’s UK & Eire operations. Gibbs, who previously worked as customer and brand director, will lead the GAME and Gamestation teams in the UK, reporting to COO Terry Scicluna.
Meanwhile, Tricia Brennan has stepped up to a new international role, having been appointed group commercial strategy director. Brennan will work with the group’s supplier partners ‘at a global level’ and will report to CEO Lisa Morgan.
“As the innovation in our industry accelerates, these new appointments will allow us to harness all of our strengths and direct them so that every one of our outlets offers customers the very best products, deals and experience,” says Scicluna.