12. THQ

FY08 Revenue: $1,031M, +1% (Rank: 13)
FY08 Profit/Loss: -$35M (Rank: 13)
Titles in Global Top 100: 6 (Rank: 5)
Units in Global Top 100: 8.2M (Rank: 6)
Review Average: 64% (Rank: 14)



Explanation of Ranking: THQ posted the 13^th highest revenue in FY08, which puts it 10^th among third parties. However its revenue grew a very modest 1% in FY08 and for the first time in several years it posted a net loss.

THQ has thrived with a full portfolio of instantly recognizable licenses like the Disney/Pixar and Nickelodeon cartoon characters and the WWE Smackdown vs. RAW series. It is on the strength of such licensed games that THQ can claim 8.2M units of sales in the global top 100 that we compiled earlier this year.

However, THQ has also published several games which simply fell flat in the marketplace. For example, Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights and Stuntman: Ignition both launched on next-generation consoles (at increased development cost) amidst a crowded holiday season, and THQ's bottom line suffered as a result.

In addition to new games licensed from other media (such as Pixar's Wall•E), THQ will soon publish new games based on established franchises from within the videogame world itself. It has high expectations for Saints Row 2, sequel to the original game from 2006, and Red Faction: Guerrilla, from a series made famous on the PlayStation 2. THQ also hopes to find new revenue streams in original titles such as de Blob and Darksiders: Wrath of War.

THQ has stated it intends to rim costs (such as culling staff whose expertise rests with older platforms) and improve its game approval process to increase revenue in the coming year, and hopes to move back toward profitability very soon.