THQ*ICE Announce that collectable pre-paid cards will be coming to N.American retailers. the cards should be available now and come in $10 and $25 varieties. players who buy the $25 cards will get an exclusive digital Dragonica Online comic, plus a secret bonus item when the cards are redeemed for ICE Cash. the cards revolve around the elements in the game, and the first available will be the Earth, Water and Fire series. new cards will be introduced every quarter, with special edition cards being released which rewards players with rare in-game items.
Press Release
AGOURA HILLS, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Oct 21, 2009 As part of the official launch of the critically acclaimed, free-to-play MMO Dragonica™ Online (http://dragonica.thqice.com), THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) and THQ*ICE today announced a new line of collectible prepaid cards available at participating retailers nationwide.
Available starting October 6th, the Dragonica Online prepaid card series will revolve around in-game elements, and will come in values of $10 and $25. The first element series to launch, the Water Series, the Fire Series, and the Earth Series, will each include four different collectible cards, each depicting key characters and scenarios from the game. Fans who purchase a $25 card receive an exclusive digital Dragonica Online comic book based on the element of that particular card plus a secret bonus item when they redeem the cards for ICE Cash. ICE Cash is the in-game, virtual currency that can be used to purchase items that customize a player’s Dragonica Online character and gameplay experience.
The Dragonica Online prepaid card collection will be further expanded and enhanced with the release of a new card series as well as special edition cards approximately every quarter. Special edition cards will reward players with rare in-game armor and items.
“Prepaid cards are a great way to further promote the game with our growing fan base, and an ideal way to capture offline traffic,” said Wim Stocks, Vice President of Sales and Strategic Partnerships. “Our primary audience for Dragonica Onlineis teen boys and girls who generally don’t have credit cards at their immediate disposal, so prepaid cards purchased at retail become the ideal means for them to get involved in the game, providing them access to in-game currency (ICE Cash) and items to expand their enjoyment and customize their experience within the game. Additionally, the serialization of the cards will bring added collectability and fun to the Dragonica Online prepaid cards; fans will want to own the entire set.”
Developed by Barunson Interactive, Dragonica Online is the first MMO to merge fast-paced combat, 3D side-scrolling and a hilarious, yet devastating, skill system. Players can join the quest to vanquish the threat of evil; explore a fantastical world rife with monsters to battle, challenges to overcome and adventures to discover.
Rated ‘E10+’ for Everyone over the age of 10, fans can register to play Dragonica Online at http://dragonica.thqice.com, follow on Twitter at http://twitter.com/dragonicathqice or join on Facebook at http://facebook.com/dragonica.
About THQ*ICE LLC
THQ*ICE LLC is an online games operator specializing in casual massively multiplayer online (MMO) games. As a joint venture between THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) and ICE Entertainment, THQ*ICE combines THQ's product development and retail publishing expertise with ICE's technology and service operations experience. THQ*ICE is dedicated to building an online platform of high quality games and premium content featuring free-to-play, micro transaction models. Dragonica Online and its respective logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ*ICE LLC in the U.S.
About THQ
THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com. THQ and the THQ logo are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the business of THQ Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as "THQ"), including, but not limited to, expectations and projections related to the collectible prepaid cards for the Dragonica Online video game, and are based upon management's current beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, business, competitive, economic, legal, political and technological factors affecting our industry, operations, markets, products or pricing. Readers should carefully review the risk factors and the information that could materially affect THQ's financial results, described in other documents that THQ files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2009, and particularly the discussion of risk factors set forth therein. Unless otherwise required by law, THQ disclaims any obligation to update its view on any such risks or uncertainties or to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.
