THQ Reports Fiscal 2012 Second Quarter Results

THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today reported financial results for the fiscal 2012 second quarter ended September 30, 2011.

For the three months ended September 30, 2011, THQ reported net sales of $146.0 million, compared with $77.1 million in the prior-year period. On a non-GAAP basis, for the three months ended September 30, 2011, the company reported net sales of $119.6 million, compared with $70.4 million a year ago.

For the three months ended September 30, 2011, the company reported a net loss of $92.4 million, or $1.35 per diluted share, compared with a net loss of $47.0 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, in the prior-year period. On a non-GAAP basis, for the three months ended September 30, 2011, the company reported a net loss of $46.9 million, or $0.69 per diluted share, compared with a non-GAAP net loss of $40.6 million, or $0.60 per diluted share, in the same period a year ago.

A reconciliation of non-GAAP to GAAP results is provided in the accompanying financial tables, and a supplemental consolidated reconciliation can be found at http://investor.thq.com.

"We are encouraged that our second quarter performance exceeded our expectations, particularly in a quarter with a light release schedule,” said Brian Farrell, THQ President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our two biggest quarters of the year remain ahead of us, and we are focused on execution. In Q3 we are planning for the largest quarter in our history, in terms of sales and earnings, driven by Saints Row: The Third, the uDraw GameTablet, and WWE ’12. With UFC Undisputed 3 launching in the fourth quarter, we are well-positioned to deliver a strong second half of fiscal 2012.”

Fiscal 2012 Second Quarter Highlights and Recent Developments

• THQ released Warhammer^® 40,000^®: Space Marine^®. According to NPD, it was a Top 10 title in North America in September.
• The company announced the next installment of the Homefront^® franchise to be developed by Crytek, the creators of multiple award-winning first person shooters. The Homefront sequel is currently scheduled for release in fiscal 2014.
• THQ completed the previously-announced realignment of its internal studios to narrow its focus on key strategic initiatives and franchises, and to properly align resources with its upcoming slate of games.
• The company finalized a new asset-based credit facility with Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC. Under the new facility, the company may borrow up to $75 million during the current peak sales period.

Digital Highlights

• THQ’s digital revenues for the six months ended September 30, 2011 were 68 percent higher than the same period one year ago. The company continues to expect strong growth in digital revenues year-over-year in fiscal 2012.
• The company launched its THQ.com website with new functionalities, user interface, and e-commerce features. New connectivity features will be introduced as THQ builds its online community and extends the game experience through game-to-web technology.
• The closed beta for THQ’s Margaritaville^® Online game for Facebook began in October, and the commercial launch is targeted for January 2012. THQ also announced the December 2011 release of its new social/mobile game, Apples to Apples^TM, based upon the popular Mattel family game.

Fiscal 2012 Third Quarter Release Schedule

THQ has announced the following releases scheduled for the third quarter of fiscal 2012:

Fiscal 2012 Fourth Quarter Release Schedule

THQ has announced the following releases scheduled for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012:

Investor Conference Call

THQ will host a conference call to discuss fiscal 2012 second quarter results and fiscal 2012 guidance today at 2:00 p.m. Pacific/5:00 p.m. Eastern. Please dial (877) 356-8075 domestic or (706) 902-0203 international, conference ID 21253670 to listen to the call or visit the THQ Inc. Investor Relations Home page at http://investor.thq.com. The online archive of the broadcast will be available approximately two hours after the live call ends. In addition, a telephonic replay of the conference call will be provided approximately two hours after the live call ends through November 4, 2011 by dialing (855) 859-2056 domestically, or (404) 537-3406 internationally, conference ID 21253670.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to results determined in accordance with GAAP, the company discloses certain non-GAAP financial measures that exclude the impact of the following:

• stock-based compensation expense,
• certain deferred revenue and related costs,
• business realignment expense,
• capitalized interest, and
• other significant charges and benefits.

Non-GAAP results also include the impact of any foreign currency fluctuations on our available-for-sale investment securities, when classified in equity for GAAP purposes.

For non-GAAP purposes, the company uses a fixed, long-term projected tax rate of 15% to evaluate its operating performance, as well as to forecast, plan and analyze future periods.

THQ may consider whether other significant items that arise in the future should also be excluded in calculating the non-GAAP financial measures it uses. The company excludes these items from its non-GAAP financial measures primarily because its management does not believe they reflect the company's primary business, ongoing operating results or future outlook. THQ's management believes that the use of non-GAAP financial measures provides meaningful supplemental information regarding its financial condition and results of operations, and helps investors compare actual results to its long-term operating goals as well as to its performance in prior periods. The non-GAAP financial measures included in this earnings release have been reconciled to the comparable GAAP results in the accompanying tables, and should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, but should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results.

In addition to the reasons stated above, which are generally applicable to each of the items THQ excludes from its non-GAAP financial measures, the company's management uses certain of the non-GAAP financial measures for the following reasons:

Stock-Based Compensation. THQ does not consider stock-based compensation charges when evaluating the performance of its business or formulating its operating plans. Stock-based compensation charges are subject to significant fluctuation outside of the control of management due to the variables used to estimate the fair value of a share-based payment, such as THQ's stock price, interest rates and the volatility of the company's stock price. Further, when considering the impact of equity award grants, THQ places a greater emphasis on the use of such grants as retention tools for long-term stockholder value creation, as well as overall stockholder dilution, rather than the accounting charges associated with such grants.

Deferred Revenue/Costs. The company defers revenue and related costs from the sale of certain titles that have undelivered elements upon the sale of the game, such as online services, and recognizes that revenue upon the delivery of the undelivered elements or over the estimated service period as applicable. As there is no impact to its operating cash flow, THQ's management excludes the impact of deferred net revenue and costs when evaluating the company's operating performance, when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods, and when assessing the performance of its management team. In addition, we believe these measures provide a more timely indication of trends in our business, provide comparability with the way our business is measured by analysts, and consistency with industry data sources.

Business Realignment Expense. Although THQ has incurred business realignment expenses in the past, each charge relates to a discrete event based on a unique set of business objectives. THQ’s management does not believe these charges reflect the company's primary business, ongoing operating results or future outlook. As such, the company believes it is appropriate to exclude these expenses from its non-GAAP financial measures.

Impact of Capitalized Interest. The company capitalizes interest expense and other financing costs as a component of capitalized software development. THQ's management considers interest cost to be a financing cost in the period in which it is incurred, and thus excludes the impact of the capitalization of interest costs to software development and the subsequent amortization expense when evaluating the company's operating performance, when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods, and when assessing the performance of its management team.

Other significant charges and benefits. THQ does not consider certain significant charges and benefits that are related to discrete events or market conditions to be indicative of ongoing operating results or future outlook. As a result, the company believes it is appropriate to exclude expenses and benefits such as legal settlements or market-related impairments, from its non-GAAP financial measures.

Fiscal Periods

Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest March 31st. For simplicity, we present all fiscal periods as ending on a calendar month end. Our fiscal 2012 second quarter ended on October 1, 2011. Our fiscal 2011 second quarter ended on October 2, 2010.

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, wireless devices, and the Internet. 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 http://www.thq.com. THQ, Homefront, Saints Row: The Third, uDraw, uDraw GameTablet and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.

Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, the Xbox logos, and the Xbox LIVE Arcade logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.

"PlayStation" is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Wii, Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi are trademarks of Nintendo.

All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

THQ Inc. Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that are 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 of video game console and software growth, financial guidance, estimated release dates, and the potential for online gaming. These statements 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 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2011 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and particularly the discussion of trends and 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.

___________________