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credit: pwtorch
WWE's video game publisher, THQ, announced today they are restructuring the company to focus on "core games," which includes the Smackdown vs. Raw video game franchise. THQ will also make aspects of SvR available for play online as part of the restructuring to make video games more accessible across several media platforms.
THQ wants to make its video games more accessible through phones, Internet, and social networking after struggling financially during the recent economic issues that hurt video game sales.
"We view the online gaming space worldwide as an important driver of THQ's long-term growth," said a THQ VP in a press release. "Our strategy is to leverage our established brands such as ... WWE into the dedicated online space."
For WWE, it means THQ trying to reach WWE fans in a variety of different ways for the 2010 version of the SvR video game, which is due out this fall. WWE and THQ might not be working together past this installment, however, despite THQ wanting to focus on its "core games."
Sales of the previous edition of SvR in November 2008 declined by an estimated 20 percent. Also, THQ successfully launched the first UFC game last month with sales easily beat any other video game in the market during the initial launch period, creating less leverage for WWE as one of THQ's top franchises.
One video game insider tells the Torch that WWE might be "moving from THQ in the near future" after the video game release this fall. At last month's E3 convention in Los Angeles, THQ reportedly put "minimal" effort into promoting the WWE line of video games despite it being a "core brand."
WWE's options are limited for pursuing other video game companies to push out the annual offering. It will be worth monitoring whether THQ's announced restructuring to focus on "core games" will lead to more emphasis on WWE's video game product that could prevent a break-up after the next launch this fall.
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So does this mean SvR2010 on your cell phone this year? It's still going to be weird if WWE does in fact drop THQ because of how long they've been with them now. It's got to the point I can't even imagine a WWE video game without the THQ controls. On the flip side, it could be great for WWE fans who complain about it being the same game every year.
It doesn't surprise me that THQ wasn't promoting the game heavily at E3 this year though. If this is WWE's final game with them, THQ would prolly want to focus on their other core games. That, and WWE's fans are going to buy SvR every year regardless, it practically sells itself.
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