THQ Announces 2005 Market Share Growth

Major game publisher and developer THQ Inc. has announced that the company gained share in 2005 across all of its key markets, and achieved the number three independent video game publisher position in both the US and the UK, according to NPD Group, Inc. and UK Chart-Track, respectively. Releasing information not previously available to the public, the company noted that, according to NPD, THQ's US video game market share grew to 7.1% in 2005 from 6.7% the prior year, while the company's US video game revenue increased 2%, compared with an overall industry software revenue decline of 3%. The company's licensed portfolio, including titles such as WWE: SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006, SpongeBob SquarePants: Lights, Camera, Pants! and The Incredibles: Rise of the Underminer were a much more reliable bet over the holiday season, as THQ indicated that its "strategy to target the mass-market consumer" and leave its original titles to launch with next-gen consoles appeared to be working. THQ also posted significant share gains in Europe and Asia Pacific in 2005. In the UK, THQ grew share to 6.4% in 2005 from 4.8% the prior year, according to UK Chart-Track. In Australia, THQ achieved the #2 independent publisher position in 2005, and increased its market share to 12% from 9% in the prior year, according to GfK. "In 2005, we achieved our goal to grow share worldwide, especially among the core gamer audience," said Brian Farrell, president and chief executive officer, THQ. "We are confident our system of owned and independent studios, along with our long-term licenses with major entertainment brands will enable THQ to continue to growth market share as we navigate the transition to next-generation hardware in 2006 and beyond."