``WWF Raw is War'' Coming To Xbox; Microsoft Smells What The Rock Is Cooking

Business Wire, Jan 6, 2001

Business/Entertainment Editors

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 2001

With help from Bill Gates and The Rock, THQ Inc. (Nasdaq:THQI) and JAKKS Pacific Inc. (Nasdaq:JAKK) today announced that the newest World Wrestling Federation(R) (WWFE) licensed video game, "WWF Raw Is War(TM)," is scheduled to be among the first wave of launch titles for the Xbox(TM) video game console.

The announcement came at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) during the keynote address of Microsoft Corp. chairman and chief software architect, Bill Gates. World Wrestling Federation superstar, The Rock, was also on hand to deliver the news. Set to release in the fall of 2001, "WWF Raw Is War" will feature graphics and gameplay never before possible with other game consoles.

"We're delighted to bring the proven World Wrestling Federation franchise to Xbox and very happy to work with Microsoft," stated Brian Farrell, president and chief executive officer, THQ. "`WWF Raw Is War' will absolutely shine on this exciting new platform. The hard drive capabilities, alone, will open up some very interesting options for us to explore."

"We strongly believe that Xbox will be an excellent platform for the `WWF Raw Is War' video game and we're excited to bring the most up to date capabilities to WWF fans worldwide," stated Stephen Berman, president and chief operating officer, JAKKS Pacific Inc.

"THQ and JAKKS have continually proven their ability to create authentic WWF entertainment on the top gaming platforms," said Stuart Snyder, president and chief operating officer, WWFE. "We expect `WWF Raw Is War' for Xbox to continue that tradition."

"We couldn't be more pleased that `WWF Raw Is War' is being created specifically to take advantage of the awesome power the Xbox brings," said J Allard, general manager, Xbox platform and third party relations. "It will be one of the key launch titles."

About "WWF Raw Is War"

Created by Anchor, the developers of the award-winning "Ultimate Fighting Championship(TM)," "WWF Raw Is War" will raise the standard by which all video games are measured, as The Rock, Chyna, and 35 other superstars are thrown into your living room like never before.

For the first time ever opponents will be able to grab clothing, announcers will provide in-game commentary on the fly, and audiences will scatter as the action spills out of the ring and into the stands. All-new backstage combat areas randomly change from venue to venue. Opponents can even be confronted on their way to the ring.

It's everything you've come to expect from the wildly popular spectacle that is the WWF.

About Xbox

Xbox (http://www.xbox.com/) is Microsoft's future-generation video game console that delivers new and unforeseen gameplay experiences. With more than three times the graphics performance of the newest generation of game consoles, Xbox unleashes game designers' creativity to produce games that are challenging, exhilarating, surprising, and fun.

JAKKS Pacific is a multi-brand toy company that designs, develops, produces and markets toys and related products under various brand names (including Flying Colors(R), Road Champs(R), Remco(R), Child Guidance(R), Color Club(R), and Pentech(R)) in multiple product categories, including: Wheels; Action Figures; Crafts/Activities/Stationery; Infant/Pre-School; Trading Cards/Games; Plush; and Dolls.

The company also participates in a joint venture that has exclusive worldwide rights to publish and market World Wrestling Federation(R) (WWF) video games.

THQ Inc. develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software worldwide for a variety of hardware platforms including PC CD-ROM, and those manufactured by Microsoft, Sony, Nintendo, and Sega. The THQ Web site is located at http://www.thq.com.

The statements contained in this release which are not historical facts may be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in such statements due to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, demand and competition for the company's products and other risks and uncertainties detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and as more specifically set forth in our most recent form 8-K filed on Nov. 13, 2000.