January 16, 2007
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Looking to diversify beyond its existing, troubled WWE deal, publisher THQ has announced an exclusive, worldwide agreement to publish video games based on the Ultimate Fighting Championship brand through 2011.
The games will feature many of the past and present UFC superstars and UFC champions, and rights also include all other UFC event content including the Octagon, the eight-sided cage in which UFC fights are held.
The deal includes games for all current and next-generation consoles, PC and handheld platforms, and certain wireless rights, as well as online, downloadable, and multi-player capabilities in connection with the various gaming systems.
THQ previously published “Pride FC” for PS2, a game that is widely regarded as the best MMA game to date. The first UFC game (for Sega Dreamcast) was well-received, but the last several UFC games from publishers such as Crave Entertainment, TDK Mediactive, and Global Star Software were almost universally panned by critics.
Video games based on MMA are inherently difficult to create due to the complexity of the sport and the fact that fights can end in any number of different ways – knock out, submission, referee’s stoppage -which makes it hard for developers to create an entertaining, but still true-to-life game play experience.
THQ’s relationship with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has become a matter of speculation after this announcement, with WWE recently suing THQ claiming “improper sales” of video game titles in Asia, a continuation in part of a long-running lawsuit also involving toy maker Jakks Pacific.
“Ultimate Fighting Championship and THQ represent the perfect marriage of rich content and proven development capabilities,” said Kelly Flock, executive vice president of worldwide publishing, THQ. “The UFC brand has seen tremendous growth in recent years with wild popularity among the core gaming demographic. This relationship serves as an extraordinary addition to THQ’s world-class license portfolio as we continue to expand our competitive sports offering.”
