'New THQ' avoiding unacceptable waste, believes it 'can only succeed with great games'

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jun 16th 2009 at 10:10AM }

This "new THQ" that Senior VP of Creative Development Danny Bilson recently discussed in an interview with IndustryGamers is totally freaking us out. Although we've yet to really see the great turnaround at the beleaguered publisher -- which took a $431 million loss last year -- Bilson is talking a good game. He's using words like "quality" and saying the publisher will stop a title in the early research and development phase if it's not looking good.

THQ has been discussing a focus on the core and upping its quality levels for a while now. The company is also altering its image from being the king of licensed titles, to focusing on original IP (Darksiders) with "transmedia" opportunities. A fancy term, that at its core, means using original IP and selling it in various media streams like movies, comics and whatever else.

Although the interview doesn't reveal anything new, it is interesting to see THQ actually learning from its lower quality titles and heavily licensed past. Now we'll have to wait a while to see if consumers reward the "new THQ" with sales.

Tags: business, danny-bilson, thq

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

jumpshot @ Jun 16th 2009 10:14AM

Hallelujah? I guess we'll see as we go...

tenor77 @ Jun 16th 2009 10:24AM

Talk is cheap. Games aren't.

Prove it.

F1: Basu Gasu Bakuhatsu @ Jun 16th 2009 10:26AM

Message to THQ:
NO SHIT!

Jordan Biffle @ Jun 16th 2009 10:28AM

Please get rid of WWE, its not that I don't like WWE, its just that I'm tired of the same damn game every year. I actually like to see EA get it so they can make another AKI wrestling game again.

Dirty @ Jun 16th 2009 10:41AM

Darksiders looks good from your impressions. Maybe THQ can be the new EA (in a good way).

Drew -- PS360: uphillbothways @ Jun 16th 2009 11:19AM

I thought that the new EA was the new EA. And I'm digging the new EA.

Dirty @ Jun 16th 2009 11:24AM

Well Actiblizzo is the new EA, and EA is the new Black, and maybe THQ can be black now too?

Jon @ Jun 16th 2009 10:44AM

Start with another great UFC game ... This time get rid of the 25 menus it takes to get to my career .. (Seriously what the heck was that about ?) Even with the game loaded on my HD it took 5 mins to get to my fighter

oxymoronx420 @ Jun 16th 2009 1:31PM

Seriously, what were they thinking....
A huge pile of menus just to apply a new sponsor to your trunks.
OMFG!

Whomever playtested that game needs a good spank and a lesson in usability.

ill trooper @ Jun 16th 2009 10:47AM

I'm sure they know this, but nearly EVERYONE thinks they're developing a good game while they're working on it.

sicsided @ Jun 16th 2009 11:37AM

Really depends on the company and the situation/pressure being put on it by the publisher.

Levi (God Hand Defense Force) @ Jun 16th 2009 11:35AM

So it's nothing but good new for THQ from now on? Sigh, I already miss that furious layoff axe.

Colin @ Jun 16th 2009 11:46AM

I bought Red Faction, enjoyed the crap out of it. Quality = High.

VicViper @ Jun 16th 2009 11:48AM

Yeah, it's got a few faults, but a lot of fun, with an innovative core.

Too bad THQ decided to launch it between Prototype and Infamous, two much higher profile 'open-world' games, and as a result, I fear it's gonna end up under the radar for a lot of people.