THQ Undergoes Strategic Realignment; Shelves MX vs ATV Series

THQ is hoping for improved sales numbers with the launch of some big-name titles in its third quarter of fiscal year 2011 (October through December). There’s a lot of promise and some very hopeful aspirations riding on projects such as Saints Row: The Third and Warhammer 40K: Space Marine. Both games will be out this fall, certainly in good time for the holiday season’s shopping pandemonium.

Due to some recent disappointments in regards to both sales numbers and review scores, the company has decided to alter its focus, shying away from kids and movie-based licensed games. It’s also been announced that this news will affect two of its studios in Australia as well as its Phoenix-based development team, all of which will be unfortunately be terminated. Overall, 200 people have received notices of termination, though that doesn’t mean that they cannot apply for jobs at other THQ studios.

In addition to the previous two announcements, THQ has also commented upon the future of the MX vs ATV franchise, and it’s not looking good.

The company has “decided not to actively pursue further development of the MX vs. ATV franchise at this time.”

Reason being is the fact that the last game in the motocross racing series, MX vs ATV: Alive, failed to produce good sales numbers in both retail and online marketplaces. It also wasn’t terribly successful in the review scores department. Due to these mediocre results, the series will be shelved alongside the Red Faction franchise.

After the dust has settled, THQ has fine main studios who will continue to work on the current projects. Here’s a list of what is coming down the pipeline from these development teams:

THQ Montreal: Unannounced Patrice Patrice Désilets Title

Volition: Saints Row: The Third, Guillermo Del Toro’s inSANE

Relic: Warhammer 40K: Space Marine

Vigil: Darksiders 2, Warhammer 40K: Dark Millennium Online

THQ San Diego: WWE All-Stars series

We wish all of those affected the best of luck in finding new positions within THQ or another company entirely. Hopefully the projects that the company’s studios are currently working on will meet all expectations.