When I played through Darksiders II I got the feeling that this game was do or die for THQ. I didn’t realize how true that thought really was until yesterday. After a sizeable investment from overseas was blocked by an injunction from current THQ investors, there was no other option. THQ’s Studios and IP’s were auctioned off to the highest bidder with most items being sold. Except for Vigil Games and Darksider’s II which remains unowned.
In a letter to staff the CEO announced that employees would no longer work for THQ and wished them all luck in the “next steps of their careers.”
Here’s a breakdown of the sale:
- Koch Media bought Volition Games (Red Faction, Saints Row) and the Metro IP. For about 27 million.
- Sega was able to acquire Relic Games (Warhammer 40k, Company of Heroes) for about 26 million
- 2K purchased the Evolve I.P for about 10.9 million
- Ubisoft acquired THQ Montreal and the South Park game for 2.9 million
- Crytek purchased Homefront for an easy $554,000
The most depressing news to me is that Vigil Games and Darksiders II remain unclaimed. Kotaku is reporting today that Platinum Games head Atsushi Inaba tweeted that he would like to acquire Darksiders on the cheap.
 |
| Translation Via Kotaku-“In THQ’s studio and IP selling off auction, Darksiders is unsold? [We] wanna buy it…on the cheap…” |
If the maker of Bayonetta, Viewtiful Joe, and the upcoming Wonderful 101 were to acquire the I.P. I could imagine great things happening. Playing a more combo-integrated Strife in Darksiders III, or even the 4 player coop discussed by THQ staffers earlier this week would be phenomenal!
This is an end of an era for gaming, and sadly I don’t think THQ will be the last to go. Good luck to the staff members of THQ and it’s partner studios, and R.I.P.