# THQ

> video game publisher

**Wikidata**: [Q580866](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q580866)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/THQ)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/thq

## Summary
THQ was a major American video game publisher and developer, founded in 1990 and headquartered in Agoura Hills, California. It was known for publishing and developing popular franchises like *Darksiders* and *Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II*, as well as owning several game development studios before its bankruptcy in 2013.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1990 by Jack Friedman as a video game publisher and developer.
- Headquartered in Agoura Hills, California, United States.
- Operated as a public company (Nasdaq: THQI) until its bankruptcy in 2013.
- Owned multiple game development studios, including Vigil Games, Kaos Studios, and Rainbow Arts.
- Published notable games such as *Darksiders* (2010) and expansions for *Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II*.
- Employed approximately 1,300 people at its peak.
- Dissolved on January 23, 2013, following financial struggles and bankruptcy.

## FAQs
### Q: What does THQ stand for?
A: THQ originally stood for "Toy Head Quarters," reflecting its early focus on toy-based products before shifting to video games.

### Q: What were some of THQ's most famous games?
A: THQ published and developed games like *Darksiders*, *Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II* expansions (*Chaos Rising*, *Retribution*), and *uDraw GameTablet*.

### Q: Why did THQ go bankrupt?
A: THQ filed for bankruptcy in 2012 due to financial difficulties, including poor sales of the *uDraw GameTablet* and market challenges. The company was dissolved in 2013.

### Q: What studios did THQ own?
A: THQ owned several studios, including Vigil Games (*Darksiders*), Kaos Studios (*Homefront*), Rainbow Arts, and Big Huge Games.

### Q: Where was THQ based?
A: THQ was headquartered in Agoura Hills, California, with subsidiaries in the U.S., Japan (Syn Sophia), and Germany (Rainbow Arts).

## Why It Matters
THQ played a significant role in the video game industry during the 1990s and 2000s, publishing and developing a diverse portfolio of games across multiple genres. Its studios created critically acclaimed titles, and its business model influenced the industry’s approach to licensing and studio acquisitions. The company’s bankruptcy in 2013 marked a notable shift in the gaming landscape, highlighting the risks of over-reliance on hardware accessories (like the *uDraw GameTablet*) and the challenges of competing in a rapidly evolving market. THQ’s legacy lives on through its former studios and franchises, many of which were acquired by other publishers.

## Notable For
- Publishing the *Darksiders* series, developed by Vigil Games.
- Owning and operating multiple influential game development studios, including Kaos Studios and Rainbow Arts.
- Developing expansions for the *Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II* franchise.
- Being one of the first major video game publishers to file for bankruptcy in the 2010s, signaling industry challenges.
- Creating the *uDraw GameTablet*, an ambitious but commercially unsuccessful gaming accessory.

## Body
### History and Founding
THQ was founded in 1990 by Jack Friedman as a video game publisher and developer. Initially, the company focused on licensed games, including titles based on children’s toys and cartoons. Over time, THQ expanded into original IP and acquired several development studios.

### Key Studios and Acquisitions
THQ owned multiple studios, including:
- **Vigil Games** (Austin, Texas, founded 2005) – Known for *Darksiders*.
- **Kaos Studios** (New York City, founded 2006) – Developed *Homefront*.
- **Rainbow Arts** (Germany, founded 1984) – A historic European developer.
- **Syn Sophia** (Tokyo, Japan, founded 1995) – A Japanese development studio.
- **Big Huge Games** (Timonium, Maryland, founded 2000) – Worked on strategy games.

### Notable Games and Franchises
THQ published several well-known games, including:
- *Darksiders* (2010) – An action-adventure game developed by Vigil Games.
- *Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II – Chaos Rising* (2010) and *Retribution* (2011) – Expansions to the real-time strategy game.
- *uDraw GameTablet* – A gaming accessory for consoles, which underperformed commercially.

### Financial Struggles and Bankruptcy
THQ faced financial difficulties in the early 2010s, partly due to the failure of the *uDraw GameTablet*. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2012 and was dissolved on January 23, 2013. Its assets, including studios and franchises, were sold off to other companies.

### Legacy
Despite its bankruptcy, THQ’s franchises and studios continued under new ownership. The *Darksiders* series, for example, was revived by other publishers, demonstrating the enduring appeal of THQ’s original IP.

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## References

1. LastDodo
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. National Software Reference Library
4. Quora
5. VideoGameGeek
6. Wikirate