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Joystiq

THQ pins WWE license down for 8 years

by JC Fletcher on Dec 23rd 2009 10:30AM

The new, extended deadline for THQ to sign its WWE licensing agreement elapsed two days ago, leaving several people in suspense about the outcome. Today, THQ shared the news that it has secured the exclusive rights to develop and publish games based on the WWE wrestling license for eight additional years, effective January 1, 2010.

Not coincidentally, THQ has also settled its legal issues with WWE toy producer Jakks Pacific. THQ and Jakks will dissolve their venture using the other universal solvent: money. THQ has agreed to pay the company $20 million, along with previously earned royalties, and will pay the WWE $13.2 million.

All of the companies found this agreement preferable to the previous offer, wherein WWE and Jakks would hit THQ with folding chairs while the referee mysteriously looked away.

Source

Tags: jakks-pacific, lawsuit, smackdown-vs-raw, sports, thq, wrestling, wwe

Reader Comments (24)

THQ corners the redneck market...

yea cause its not like anyone else would buy the games or likes wrestling ¬_¬

"All of the companies found this agreement preferable to the previous offer, wherein WWE and Jakks would hit THQ with folding chairs while the referee mysteriously looked away."

I lol'd.

8 more years of mediocrocy!!

FUCK how did you pre-empt my comment right down to the same exact syllable, Captain Planet??

You really do have all our powers combined.

People buy these games? Not ripping on anybody, it's a serious question. Do they rank high in sales charts when they're released?

high? no....but they do usually break a million...I buy them thru gamefly for like $20-30....its just not worth the $60 to me...and the online community is usually dead on them 4-5 months out...

Who else can even MAKE a wrestling/grappling game anyways? I mean THQ pretty much has had that engine for YEARS. I am curious to see how EA's MMA works as far as grapples and all that, but I can't see anyone else making a wrestling game ever....

I buy them day one every year. 2009 was great and remained solid online for the entire year, not 4-5 months. 2010 is a much more difficult system, but somehow I have my first ever winning record despite feeling like I'm rarely in control online.

THQ sucks when it comes to DLC, though. Neither the current WWE champion or Intercontinental champion are available for download? And I should get the arena as a bonus with any PPV I buy.

JET

the whole year? by 5 months in I couldn't find anyone on the PS3 version.....just like FEAR 2....

Well there's your problem, PS3...

Current day? Hmm yeah no one. Would have been nice to see where AKI could have taken things if WCW was still in business.

I haven't bought a WWE game since HCTP. It doesn't help that WWE doesn't really do much for me anymore, but every year I get *this* close to buying a SvR and every year I eventually decide not to and say "shouldn't this game be way better considering how long they've been making it?"

yea so it being on PS3 has nothing to do with it...as if I remember correctly SvR is one of those games that sell damn near half and half on both systems

the other universal solvent: money

well put.

Meh. More of the same for another 8 years. I used to be a big fan of the Smackdown series, even though I didn't really follow wrestling, but the game has been a rehash almost every year. This past year's was supposedly good but I didn't play it.

Hurray! More awesome!

"All of the companies found this agreement preferable to the previous offer, wherein WWE and Jakks would hit THQ with folding chairs while the referee mysteriously looked away."

Har.

I wasn't aware anyone actually watched wrestling anymore, much less played wrestling games. The former has become so bad it's not even funny, and the latter is based on the former.

I really wanted a good company like Activision or 2K to get the WWE lisense, hell even EA would have been better since they own the AKI engine.

Since when did EA get the AKI engine? So this explains why Smackdown vs continues on although everyone wants a new NoMercy/Day of Reckoning game. Jesus I don't know why Yukes is so slow. AKI had logo creators for caws ages ago, and svr is just now getting to it. And imo, I feel as if the stages are way more realistic looking in DoR2(gamecube)!

so any hope of AKI developing another excellent game for WWE before the apocalypse is nonexistent.

they own the AKI engine? and aint doing shit with it? wtf!

Soap Opera, for men, the video game!

Although I expect the "new" THQ to make the game better for all you WWE fans, maybe not since it has the branding.

NEW FEATURES for 2015!

Off ring stunt deaths and random steroid testing!

I'd like to drop some of these guys through a ceiling window.

The steroid testing only activates when your character's testicle rating drops below 4.

This article should have been followed by another titled, "WWE games will continue decline for 8 more years."

I still enjoy Smackdown Just Bring It more than any of the Smackdown vs Raw titles, but that was also when WWE was losing its charm too.

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THQ pins WWE license down for 8 years

Reader Comments (24)

Posted: Dec 23rd 2009 10:31AM Frivolous said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2009 11:07AM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2009 10:33AM iamnotafish said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2009 10:34AM Captain Planet Planeteer Power said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2009 12:56PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2009 10:47AM Foolkiller said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2009 10:52AM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2009 10:47AM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2009 11:02AM natiahs said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2009 11:05AM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2009 11:35AM StormX said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2009 1:05PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2009 4:10PM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2009 10:50AM Nook said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2009 11:27AM The Albatross said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2009 11:36AM SuperA187 said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2009 11:53AM masterinsan0 said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2009 2:33PM jordanbiffle said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2009 7:41PM CrissCross87 said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2009 3:01PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2009 3:24PM pulgathagreat said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2009 4:33PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2009 6:37PM CaptainProtonX said

Posted: Dec 23rd 2009 6:55PM (Unverified) said

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