Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Rubin: THQ could have survived, but made 'massive mistakes']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/01/rubin-thq-could-have-survived-but-made-massive-mistakes/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/01/rubin-thq-could-have-survived-but-made-massive-mistakes/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/02/01/rubin-thq-could-have-survived-but-made-massive-mistakes/#comments We know pretty much all there is to know about the dissolution of THQ, how its valuable studios and properties were sold off, while others were left to fend for themselves. We're pretty well versed on why it all happened. Now, former THQ president Jason Rubin has given MCV his opinion on why the publisher went south.

Rubin refuted the notion that THQ was simply a victim of a changing industry, that it was unable to keep up with bigger publishers. "THQ had every chance to survive," he said, "had it not made massive mistakes." Said mistakes - things like bungling uDraw, the Warhammer 40K MMO and Homefront - didn't happen on Rubin's watch, however, as he was only appointed in May of 2012. Ultimately, there was "too much negative hanging on [THQ's] books," he said.

THQ's failure didn't boil down to bad luck either. "Could Homefront have caught a nerve and sold 10m copies? It's possible I guess, but probably not without better production," he said, adding that luck certainly wasn't a factor in THQ's decision to cancel Warhammer 40K: Dark Millennium Online. "That was simply a bad decision in a sea of bad decisions."

JoystiqRubin: THQ could have survived, but made 'massive mistakes' originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Feb 2013 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>homefrontjason-rubinthqudrawwarhammer-40000-dark-millennium-onlineFri, 01 Feb 2013 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Walmart Black Friday deals include cheap consoles, very cheap games, confusing uDraw offers]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/13/walmart-black-friday-deals-include-cheap-consoles-very-cheap-ga/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/13/walmart-black-friday-deals-include-cheap-consoles-very-cheap-ga/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/11/13/walmart-black-friday-deals-include-cheap-consoles-very-cheap-ga/#comments Walmart Black Friday deals include cheap consoles, very cheap games, confusing uDraw offersFor those brave enough, and cheap enough, to venture into Walmart after 8pm on November 22, some Black Friday deals await, including a 4GB Xbox 360 with a Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure starter pack for $149, a Wii for $89, and a 250GB PS3 with the Uncharted Dual Pack and the Infamous Collection for $199.

The retailer is also discounting some games, including Epic Mickey 2, Modern Warfare 3, FIFA Soccer 13, NBA 2K13, Borderlands 2, Medal of Honor Warfighter, and Just Dance 4, to $25 each. $15 games include Dance Central 3, Max Payne 3, Black Ops, and Spec Ops: The Line. Dead Island, Gran Turismo 5, and more are $10.

Finally, in the offer that is most likely to confuse and irritate people, Walmart is advertising "Wii U-Draw" for $10. That's actually the uDraw Game Tablet for Wii, and not the Wii U, which also includes a tablet. Some kind of fight is going to break out over this confusion, we're afraid.

JoystiqWalmart Black Friday deals include cheap consoles, very cheap games, confusing uDraw offers originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Nov 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black-fridayblack-friday-2012microsoftnintendoplaystationps3udrawwalmartWiixboxTue, 13 Nov 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ suspected of misleading investors about uDraw]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/13/thq-suspected-of-misleading-investors-about-udraw/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/13/thq-suspected-of-misleading-investors-about-udraw/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/06/13/thq-suspected-of-misleading-investors-about-udraw/#comments THQ being investigated for possible failure to disclose uDraw infoA Georgia law firm is investigating THQ to determine if it misled investors about the stagnant demand for its uDraw tablet, before discontinuing its production in February. Holzer Holzer & Fistel assert that THQ may have withheld information about decreased demand for the uDraw, and may have made "false and misleading" statements about its progress, Gamasutra reports.

If THQ employed any of these tactics, it could be in violation of federal securities laws.

This investigation follows a slew of financial issues at THQ as well as the sale of its UFC franchise rights to competitor Electronic Arts.

JoystiqTHQ suspected of misleading investors about uDraw originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Jun 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>investigationinvestorsnintendoTHQudrawudraw-studiowiiWed, 13 Jun 2012 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ no longer manufacturing uDraw hardware]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/thq-no-longer-manufacturing-udraw-hardware/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/thq-no-longer-manufacturing-udraw-hardware/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/thq-no-longer-manufacturing-udraw-hardware/#comments THQ will no longer manufacture uDraw hardware, according to its fiscal 2012 third quarter financial report. "Sales of the uDraw GameTablet and related software, and other titles in the kids, family and casual category were far weaker than anticipated, substantially reducing our financial results for the quarter," reported THQ president and CEO Brian Farrell.

The uDraw is seemingly out of picture at this point, as the publisher "has no future commitments or plans to manufacture uDraw hardware." The Wii version of the tablet proved to be a success for THQ in 2010, leading the company to produce versions for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Sales of uDraw on Sony and Microsoft's platforms were underwhelming, however, leading the company to lower financial forecasts at the end of 2011.

THQ now plans to focus on "premium core and fighting franchises." The report doesn't specify whether or not THQ will continue to produce software for uDraw, though it seems unlikely given the transition away from children's products. Unless someone is working on a Saints Row art game, of course.

JoystiqTHQ no longer manufacturing uDraw hardware originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>financialfy-2012microsoftnintendoplaystationps3q3thqudrawudraw-studiowiixboxThu, 02 Feb 2012 17:12:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ lays off 30 Play THQ employees]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/10/thq-lays-off-30-play-thq-employees/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/10/thq-lays-off-30-play-thq-employees/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/10/thq-lays-off-30-play-thq-employees/#comments The business world, like the rest of the world, is a cruel and unforgiving mistress. Following the "weaker than expected" sales figures achieved by THQ's uDraw tablet during the third quarter of the 2012 fiscal year, THQ has let go 30 members of its Play THQ team; the Agoura Hills unit responsible for uDraw.

"We are taking a difficult but important step to reduce the number of employees that supported this brand," a THQ representative said in a statement to Game Informer. "30 people will be leaving the company and business unit leader Martin Good will also be leaving to pursue new opportunities outside the company."

THQ is still hopeful that the success of Saints Row: The Third and WWE '12 will pull out a fourth quarter turnaround before the end of fiscal 2012.

JoystiqTHQ lays off 30 Play THQ employees originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 10 Dec 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>firedfiscal-2012laid-offlay-offslayoffslet-gomicrosoftnintendoplaystationps3Q3Q4tabletTHQuDrawwiixboxSat, 10 Dec 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[uDraw hasn't fared so well on Xbox 360 and PS3, THQ lowers its forecast]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/udraw-hasnt-fared-so-well-on-xbox-360-and-ps3-thq-lowers-its-f/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/udraw-hasnt-fared-so-well-on-xbox-360-and-ps3-thq-lowers-its-f/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/08/udraw-hasnt-fared-so-well-on-xbox-360-and-ps3-thq-lowers-its-f/#comments THQ has lowered its earnings forecast for the third quarter of the 2012 fiscal year, citing underwhelming sales of its recently multiplatform uDraw tablet.

THQ CEO Brian Farrell explained in a press release, "Despite uDraw's strong success on the Wii in fiscal 2011 and market research indicating strong demand for uDraw on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, initial sales of our uDraw tablet and software on these high-definition platforms have been weaker than expected." As a result, the company is lowering its original sales guidance of between $510 million and $550 million by "approximately 25 percent," which is a large number of millions (at least $127.5 million).

We'll know how poorly the device did when third quarter results drop next February. Until then, Farrell assures investors that "WWE '12 and Saints Row: The Third are expected to perform at or better than the levels we discussed on our fiscal 2012 second quarter earnings call." We guess folks are just more into simulated violence and genuine bonersword violence than they're into drawing things with their kids.

JoystiquDraw hasn't fared so well on Xbox 360 and PS3, THQ lowers its forecast originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 01:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businessfy-2012microsoftplaystationps3q3q3-2012salesthqudrawudraw-game-tabletxboxThu, 08 Dec 2011 01:00:00 EST<![CDATA[uDraw for 360 and PS3 is multitouch, ships with new Studio software]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/03/udraw-for-360-and-ps3-is-multitouch-ships-with-new-studio-softw/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/03/udraw-for-360-and-ps3-is-multitouch-ships-with-new-studio-softw/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/06/03/udraw-for-360-and-ps3-is-multitouch-ships-with-new-studio-softw/#comments THQ released the first images of the PS3 and Xbox 360 iterations of the uDraw Game Tablet, due this fall, and revealed details that make the new thing sound more impressive than its Wii contemporary.

The HD consoles' tablets both feature "high definition" input at 2000x1600 revolution, multitouch surfaces for "pinch-and-stretch and rotation features," and built-in tilt sensors (which the Wii uDraw has because it has a Wiimote all up in). Both tablets will include copies of a new version of uDraw Studio, called uDraw Studio: Instant Artist, with new tutorials and a new interface. There's also a version of Pictionary planned for the new device.

Continue reading uDraw for 360 and PS3 is multitouch, ships with new Studio software

JoystiquDraw for 360 and PS3 is multitouch, ships with new Studio software originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftplaystationps3thqudrawudraw-game-tabletudraw-studioudraw-studio-instant-artistxboxFri, 03 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ making uDraw tablets for Xbox 360 and PS3, due this holiday]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/thq-making-udraw-tablets-for-xbox-360-and-ps3-due-this-holiday/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/thq-making-udraw-tablets-for-xbox-360-and-ps3-due-this-holiday/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/05/03/thq-making-udraw-tablets-for-xbox-360-and-ps3-due-this-holiday/#comments The uDraw Game Tablet, a peripheral THQ developed with Nintendo, is now headed to Xbox 360 and PS3 after a very successful tenure on Wii. In the company's latest earnings release, CEO Brian Farrell announced plans to bring "exclusively designed" uDraw devices to Xbox 360 and PS3 this holiday.

The announcement doesn't mention any games to accompany the devices, but we'd at least expect a port of the uDraw Game Studio drawing program. The new "exclusive" designs were also left undetailed, but we imagine the new uDraw tablets integrate exciting features like not having a slot for a Wiimote.

JoystiqTHQ making uDraw tablets for Xbox 360 and PS3, due this holiday originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 May 2011 16:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microsoftplaystationps3q4-2011release-datethqudrawudraw-game-tabletxboxTue, 03 May 2011 16:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Dragon Age 2 champions UK sales chart]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/14/dragon-age-2-champions-uk-sales-chart/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/14/dragon-age-2-champions-uk-sales-chart/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/14/dragon-age-2-champions-uk-sales-chart/#comments Dragon Age 2, as it was foretold by the Chantry prophecies, took the top spot on Chart-Track's all formats UK sales chart for the week of March 6. Hawke's ascension meant that s/he pushed back the Pokémon of the White and Black breeds to second and fourth place, respectively.

Fight Night Champion beat up most of the competition to retain third place, while Just Dance 2's seductive moves helped it slide up two spots to fifth.

The big move last week was THQ's uDraw Studio (with Game Tablet), which shot up into tenth place from #83 in its second week at retail. Check out the complete UK top ten after the break.

Continue reading Dragon Age 2 champions UK sales chart

JoystiqDragon Age 2 champions UK sales chart originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chart-trackchart-track-weeklyDragon-Age-2fight-night-championjust-dance-2microsoftnintendoplaystationpokemon-black-and-whiteps3salesudrawukwiixboxMon, 14 Mar 2011 11:08:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ: Warhammer MMO will cost $50 million, uDraw still making bank]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/thq-warhammer-mmo-will-cost-50-million-udraw-still-making-ban/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/thq-warhammer-mmo-will-cost-50-million-udraw-still-making-ban/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/03/11/thq-warhammer-mmo-will-cost-50-million-udraw-still-making-ban/#comments See, this is how you can tell you can tell we're dummies about business. If someone asked us how much we'd spend on a Warhammer MMO in a world where World of Warcraft still reigns and Blizzard has another online game in the pipeline, our answer would be "not much." But THQ's answer, when posed the same question about the upcoming Dark Millennium? Around $50 million, according to CFO Paul Pucino, speaking on a recent conference call.

Just when we're about to get snide about our business savvy, Pucino reveals that the company expects to sell 1.7 million uDraw tablets (remember the uDraw?), up from a 1.3-million-unit prediction in December of last year. 1.7 million. uDraws.

Like we said: Dummies.

JoystiqTHQ: Warhammer MMO will cost $50 million, uDraw still making bank originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>mmonintendopaul-pucinopcthqudrawwarhammer-40000-dark-millennium-onlinewiiFri, 11 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ tries WarioWare formula, comes out with 'Spongebob Squigglepants']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/16/spongebob-squigglepants/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/16/spongebob-squigglepants/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/16/spongebob-squigglepants/#comments THQ has chosen to follow up on the success of its first uDraw Game Tablet releases with ... Squigglepants! SpongeBob Squigglepants is nothing less than a WarioWare clone designed for the uDraw. Players race through a series of 100 "nanogames" including racing, searching for hidden objects, and, of course, drawing, all with the uDraw's pen acting like a DS stylus. The game is "hosted" by Patchy the Pirate, who appears in live-action segments.

If this sounds interesting enough for you to go into a store and say the word "Squigglepants" to a clerk out loud, you'll be able to pick it up April 12. According to THQ, the uDraw tablet is being launched worldwide in February and March, making Squigglepants a launch window title for other territories. In addition, THQ will release a 3DS version "later in the spring," allowing the Squigglepants to squiggle in three dimensions.

Gallery: Spongebob Squigglepants (Wii/3DS)

JoystiqTHQ tries WarioWare formula, comes out with 'Spongebob Squigglepants' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsnintendospongebob-squarepantsspongebob-squigglepantsthqudrawwiiWed, 16 Feb 2011 17:40:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ highlights 1.2m uDraw units in Q3 earnings; wants more uDraw, fewer kids movie-based games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/thq-highlights-1-2m-udraw-units-in-q3-earnings-wants-more-udraw/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/thq-highlights-1-2m-udraw-units-in-q3-earnings-wants-more-udraw/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/02/thq-highlights-1-2m-udraw-units-in-q3-earnings-wants-more-udraw/#commentsTHQ While a large slate of AAA titles is expected from THQ's Core Games unit in its Q4 2011 and 2012 fiscal periods, its fiscal Q3 2011 (October-December 2010) financial results are all about the less high-profile Kids, Family and Casual Business which had an unexpected hit with the North American release of uDraw Game Tablet for Wii last November. In less than two months, THQ managed to move over 1.2 million units in North America alone; an international release is expected "in the March quarter" (by the end of March this year).

And it's a good thing, too! THQ also "reevaluated the sales potential of games based on its kids movie-based licenses" for its Q3 statement and, "consistent with recent industry trends," it "lowered expectations for this category." That cost the company an impairment of $30.3 million which was excluded from its Q3 non-GAAP results (which we're getting to, hold on!). Instead of licensed kid's games, the Kids, Family and Casual Business is "increasing its focus on popular new play patterns and devices such as Kinect for Xbox 360, PlayStation Move, the uDraw GameTablet and Nintendo 3DS." Makes sense, right?

Now for the numbers: For the three-month quarter ending December 31, 2010, THQ posted net sales of $314.6 million, an eight percent drop year-over-year, resulting in a net loss of $14.9 million compared to a net income of $542,000 in the same period the previous year. In addition to the aforementioned $30.3 million impairment, THQ also excluded "a charge of $9.9 million related to the cancellation of Company of Heroes Online and WWE Online" from its non-GAAP results. So, with those things in mind, THQ reported non-GAAP net income of $28.5 million for the quarter compared with net income of $26.6 million for the prior-year period.

We're on the THQ earnings call now, and will report back any updates.

JoystiqTHQ highlights 1.2m uDraw units in Q3 earnings; wants more uDraw, fewer kids movie-based games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 02 Feb 2011 17:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earningsfinancialFY-2011Kids-Family-and-Casual-BusinessKids-Family-CasualnintendoQ3salesTHQudrawudraw-game-tabletwiiWed, 02 Feb 2011 17:10:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ and Mattel enter game deal, includes Masters of the Universe rights]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/thq-and-mattel-enter-game-deal-includes-masters-of-the-universe/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/thq-and-mattel-enter-game-deal-includes-masters-of-the-universe/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/thq-and-mattel-enter-game-deal-includes-masters-of-the-universe/#comments THQ will target kids with a new multi-year, multiplatform "alliance" with Mattel -- that's for sure. What we're not so sure about is whether those targets are intended to be kids of the 80s or their kids of today. A news announcement reads like a who's who of garage-sale name drops: Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots, Masters of the Universe, and even Polly Pocket (who's apparently still going strong these days).

While the deal with Mattel encompasses games that could appear on any platform imaginable, THQ did specifically note the potential in re-introducing the toy maker's brands through the uDraw GameTablet for Wii. "As we have shown with the combination of uDraw and Pictionary, there is enormous potential for the strategic relationship between THQ and Mattel," said Martin Good, executive veep of THQ's Kids, Family and Casual Games division.

The brilliant part about all this is that when you hand over THQ's Tablet and a copy of the He-Man: By the Power of Grayscale drawing game to the GameStop clerk, you simply say, "It's for my kid" -- and he sort of has to believe you.

[Image source: Madman Entertainment; credit: Mattel]

JoystiqTHQ and Mattel enter game deal, includes Masters of the Universe rights originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>barbiedsfisher-pricehe-manhot-wheelsmartin-goodmasters-of-the-universemattelmicrosoftmobileMOTUnintendopcplaystationpolly-pocketps3psnrock-em-sock-em-robotssocial-gamesthqthq-kids-family-casual-gamesudrawudraw-game-tabletwiiwiiwarexblaxboxWed, 05 Jan 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[If uDraw wintry artwork, you could win prizes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/19/if-udraw-wintry-artwork-you-could-win-prizes/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/19/if-udraw-wintry-artwork-you-could-win-prizes/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/19/if-udraw-wintry-artwork-you-could-win-prizes/#commentsAre uEnjoying the uDraw tablet and its included uDraw Studio software? If so (and if you're, like, way talented), you could win a bunch of THQ Wii games. Through Jan. 11, THQ is soliciting winter-themed artwork drawn in uDraw Studio for a "Winter Wonderland" contest. The winning artwork will be used as the background for the World of uDraw website, and the artist behind said artwork will get a "THQ Kids videogame prize pack" for Wii, worth $500.

The uDraw thing is somewhat of a surprise hit, so expect lots of competition. For those of you who don't have a tablet, or are crazy enough to go out to the mall today in search of one as a gift, THQ says it's "working with retailers to ensure stock is on hand to meet demand during the busiest shopping season of the year."

Continue reading If uDraw wintry artwork, you could win prizes

JoystiqIf uDraw wintry artwork, you could win prizes originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 19 Dec 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contestnintendothqudrawudraw-game-tabletudraw-studiowiiSun, 19 Dec 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ to release 4 to 5 uDraw titles by March 2012, including SpongeBob]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/08/thq-to-release-4-to-5-udraw-titles-by-march-2012-including-spon/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/08/thq-to-release-4-to-5-udraw-titles-by-march-2012-including-spon/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/08/thq-to-release-4-to-5-udraw-titles-by-march-2012-including-spon/#comments THQ said last week that it had a plan to support the uDraw Wii tablet through the 2012 calendar year, and today CFO Paul Pucino started to clarify the level of support. Speaking at the UBS Annual Global Media & Communications Conference, Pucino said that four to five titles would arrive for the device from THQ in the next fiscal year (April 2011 - March 2012). He didn't offer any more specifics, only revealing that one of the games would feature SpongeBob SquarePants.

Okay, we're gonna cut to the chase here, THQ: Convince Nintendo to let you develop a new Mario Paint for uDraw, and you can have all the money. How does that sound? All. The. Money.

JoystiqTHQ to release 4 to 5 uDraw titles by March 2012, including SpongeBob originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>all-the-moneynintendopaul-pucinothqudrawwiiWed, 08 Dec 2010 17:31:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ uDraw GameTablet 'doing very well,' software lined up through 2012]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/03/thq-udraw-gametablet-doing-very-well-software-through-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/03/thq-udraw-gametablet-doing-very-well-software-through-2012/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/03/thq-udraw-gametablet-doing-very-well-software-through-2012/#comments As Kinect and Move continue to make headlines as the season's hottest hardware, THQ is quietly enjoying the apparent success of its uDraw GameTablet, which launched November 14 for Wii. Early indications from the company suggest the kid-targeted device is selling well at retail (for around $70), as one tongue-in-cheek tweet from VP Danny Bilson hinted.

Without sharing specific sales figures, Wayne Cline, director of product development for THQ's Kids, Family and Casual division, got a bit more specific about uDraw's performance. "Our early reports are looking very promising, and I know we're doing very well at Walmart, Best Buy and Toys R Us -- outlets like that," he told Joystiq. "And we're getting really good first-look feedback from a lot of things like parenting magazines and such. It's looking very positive." But how long will that last?

Gallery: uDraw Studio (Wii)

Continue reading THQ uDraw GameTablet 'doing very well,' software lined up through 2012

JoystiqTHQ uDraw GameTablet 'doing very well,' software lined up through 2012 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Dec 2010 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business-strategykids-family-casualnintendosalesthqthq-kids-family-casual-gamesudrawudraw-game-tabletudraw-studiowayne-clinewiiFri, 03 Dec 2010 17:31:00 EST<![CDATA[uDraw preview: Hands-on with THQ's GameTablet]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/20/udraw-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/20/udraw-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/20/udraw-preview/#comments THQ's uDraw GameTablet is a rather interesting peripheral. At first glance, it looks like a first-party peripheral. The simple mostly-white design makes it a perfect companion for the Wii, the Balance Board and the iconic Remote itself. Even after playing a few of the games that are compatible with the device, it's hard not to think of it as a Nintendo-made accessory. Essentially, the uDraw enables gamers to translate a DS-esque stylus-based gaming experience onto the TV.

I tested uDraw Studio, a design application that comes bundled with the uDraw peripheral. In addition, I got to try out Pictionary and Dood's Big Adventure, two additional games that support the accessory.

Continue reading uDraw preview: Hands-on with THQ's GameTablet

JoystiquDraw preview: Hands-on with THQ's GameTablet originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>doods-big-adventureGameTabletnintendopictionaryTHQudrawudraw-studiowiiWed, 20 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ soaks up multi-year SpongeBob rights, includes 3DS game]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/18/thq-soaks-up-multi-year-spongebob-rights-includes-3ds-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/18/thq-soaks-up-multi-year-spongebob-rights-includes-3ds-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/18/thq-soaks-up-multi-year-spongebob-rights-includes-3ds-game/#commentsFiled under: , ,

He may never be a Metacritic standout, but SpongeBob SquarePants has won the hearts of millions of little ones -- it doesn't matter what we think about his games. Having shipped 29 million copies of pure SpongeBob gold since 2002, THQ isn't about to let the money-maker off the hook. The publisher has renewed its partnership with Nickelodeon for multi-year rights to develop and release SpongeBob titles across major platforms and distribution channels.

The first game under the new agreement is being developed for 3DS, Kinect and THQ's own uDraw GameTablet for Wii. It will be released next year, and you'll probably have to buy it (and one of those new technologies) if you've got a kid between ages 2 and 11.

JoystiqTHQ soaks up multi-year SpongeBob rights, includes 3DS game originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsgametabletkinectlicensingmicrosoftnickelodeonnintendoplaystationps3psnpspsonyspongebobspongebob-squarepantsthqudrawwiiwiiwarexblaxboxxbox-liveMon, 18 Oct 2010 11:45:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ pencils in uDraw release date: November 14]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/thq-pencils-in-udraw-release-date-november-14/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/thq-pencils-in-udraw-release-date-november-14/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/15/thq-pencils-in-udraw-release-date-november-14/#commentsFiled under: , ,

THQ's uDraw device, a drawing tablet for Wii, will launch in North America on November 14. The $69.99 package will include the tablet and uDraw Studio, a drawing and coloring game. In addition, the other two known uDraw-compatible games, Pictionary and Dood's Big Adventure, will also be released on November 14, for $30 each.

Along with these three release dates (or this one release date for three things), THQ noted that "Future waves of video game titles are planned during calendar 2011 and beyond." It's nice to have some measure of reassurance that the peripheral will be supported, at least.

Gallery: uDraw Studio (Wii)

Continue reading THQ pencils in uDraw release date: November 14

JoystiqTHQ pencils in uDraw release date: November 14 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>doods-big-adventurenintendopictionaryq4-2010release-datethqudrawudraw-studiowiiFri, 15 Oct 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo support was crucial to uDraw's creation]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/21/nintendo-support-was-crucial-to-udraws-creation/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/21/nintendo-support-was-crucial-to-udraws-creation/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/21/nintendo-support-was-crucial-to-udraws-creation/#commentsFiled under: , ,

THQ may be the company publicly pushing the recently announced uDraw tablet controller for the Wii, but a presentation of the new technology at Gamescom this week emphasized just how important Nintendo's support was to the device's creation.

"When we came to [Nintendo] in the beginning with the idea for uDraw, they said 'that's brilliant, let's figure out how to do this,'" THQ director Luis Gigliotti said during a presentation. "It's been an incredible partnership. ... I've been working in game development for 17-plus years and I can honestly say this is one of the smoothest collaborations with a first party I've ever had, just because everybody got it on day one."

Gigliotti specifically pointed out that Nintendo's hardware design expertise was key to transforming the monstrous uDraw prototype (nicknamed "Frankenstein" by the THQ team), into the light, sleek unit shown off at the show. "[The prototype] was a like bunch of lasers and mirrors and loose parts, it was wood and it had brass on it," he recalled. "I said, 'There's no way we can get this to something like this [the current hardware] without it costing a fortune.' Nintendo said, 'Don't worry about it. You guys are software developers, we are the kings of hardware. We will figure this out.' And they did, for one reason -- the idea was solid. Everybody knew it was a good idea, so we figured out the rest."

Continue reading Nintendo support was crucial to uDraw's creation

JoystiqNintendo support was crucial to uDraw's creation originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 21 Aug 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developmentgamescomgamescom-2010hardwareLuis-GigliottinintendoSD-cardsupportTHQuDrawuDraw-studiowiiSat, 21 Aug 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pictionary and Dood's Big Adventure coming to uDraw on Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/pictionary-and-doods-big-adventure-coming-for-udraw-on-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/pictionary-and-doods-big-adventure-coming-for-udraw-on-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/pictionary-and-doods-big-adventure-coming-for-udraw-on-wii/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Rather than a once-off gimmick, THQ's trying to make the launch of its uDraw Wii drawing peripheral seem almost like a miniature console launch. Those who grab the tablet this holiday will also have the option of picking up launch games Pictionary and Dood's Big Adventure.

In the latter, you'll play through 60 levels as a "Dood" of your own creation in "a world where coloring books come to life." There seems to be a definite Drawn to Life influence (also published by THQ!), with players creating much of said world with their own doodles.

In Pictionary, you'll lead a team of space soldiers as they venture to the barren, post-apocalyptic planet of Pictionaria where a wayward prison transport has just crash landed. Sgt. John Hawk and his crew are ready to recapture the vicious convicts, but are they prepared for the bug-like but also robot-like Insectagons that would die to protect their home world?

... No, no, it's Pictionary.

Gallery: Dood's Big Adventure (uDraw)


Gallery: Pictionary (uDraw)

JoystiqPictionary and Dood's Big Adventure coming to uDraw on Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>doods-big-adventurenintendopage-44-studiospictionarythqthq-digital-phoenixudrawwiiTue, 17 Aug 2010 16:55:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ announces uDraw Game Tablet for Wii]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/thq-announces-udraw-game-tablet-for-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/thq-announces-udraw-game-tablet-for-wii/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/17/thq-announces-udraw-game-tablet-for-wii/#commentsFiled under: , ,

How's this for heady irony? The "Games Aren't Art" faction takes a mighty blow today, and it comes at the hands of the publisher that brought us ... 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand. THQ has revealed "uDraw," a four-by-six inch tablet peripheral for the Wii that makes drawing as natural an input into the system as punching and pointing.

It launches this holiday season in the states for $70, bundled with uDraw Studio, an "expansive drawing, coloring and art-based video game." A couple of other titles, Pictionary and Dood's Big Adventure will arrive on the same day for the appealing price of $30 with more on the way. Wiicasos in international territories can look for the pad in early 2011.

Gallery: uDraw Studio (Wii)


JoystiqTHQ announces uDraw Game Tablet for Wii originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nintendopictionarythqudrawudraw-studiowiiTue, 17 Aug 2010 11:30:00 EST