THQ Inc.

Overview

THQ Inc. was a large developer and publisher of games. THQ (short for Toy Head-Quarters), was originally founded as Trinity Acquisition Corporation in New York (USA) in 1989. The company was reincorporated in Delaware in 1997 after the name had previously been changed to T.HQ, Inc. in 1991 through a merger with T.HQ, Inc., a California corporation. Initially the company's focus was a toy manufacturer. However, since 1994 THQ focused exclusively on the development and publishing of video games. Based in the USA, the company also had offices in Europe and Asia Pacific. In December 2012 the company filed for Chapter 11 and on 22nd January 2013 almost all studios and properties were sold off in an auction, and the remaining staff was laid off. During its existence the company acquired and established many studios.

Closed or lost studios (founded or acquired):

Locomotive Games (formerly Pacific Coast Power and Light - 1999-2008)
Heavy Iron Studios (1999, became independent in 2009)
Helixe (2000-2008)
THQ Digital Studios Phoenix (2001-2011, acquired as Rainbow Studios)
Outrage Games (2002-2004)
Sandblast Games (2002-2008)
THQ Studio Australia (2003-2011)
Blue Tongue Entertainment (2004-2011)
Concrete Games (2004-2008)
Kaos Studios (2005-2012, acquired as Trauma Studios)
Incinerator Studios (2006, became independent in 2009)
THQ Digital Studios UK (2006-2012, acquired as Juice Games)
Paradigm Entertainment (2006-2008)
Mass Media (2007-2008)
Universomo, Ltd. (2007-2010)
Big Huge Games (2008, sold to 38 Studios in 2009)
THQ San Diego (formerly Midway Studios - San Diego - 2009-2012)

The company was also involved with games for mobile platforms, mostly as THQ Wireless, Inc. (founded in 2001). In February 2011 THQ reported to have sold the mobile division to advertising and distribution firm 24MAS.

When closed in January 2013, the following studios (founded or acquired) were still active:

Volition (2000 - sold to Koch Media)
Relic Entertainment (2004 - sold to SEGA)
Vigil Games (2006 - not sold, closed)
Elephant Entertainment LLC (2008 - unknown status)
THQ Studio Montréal (2010 - sold to Ubisoft)

The company also held a minority interest in the Japanese studio Yuke's Co. Ltd. (current status unknown).

The following games, properties or publishing rights were also sold: