Agoura Hills, Calif. - Video game developer and publisher THQ (NASD: THQI) has announced plans to cut 600 jobs, or about 24% of its staff, as part of a plan to reduce costs by $220 million in the coming fiscal year.

Agoura Hills, Calif. - Video game publisher THQ (NASD: THQI) has announced that it will lay off 100 employees and shutter mobile game development studios in San Diego, the U.K. and Germany as it shifts focus squarely on mobile games for smartphones like Apple's iPhone, VentureBeat reported.

New York - Microsoft's (NASD: MSFT) Massive Inc. in-game advertising business announced on Monday a multi-year deal to provide in-game ads for game publisher THQ (NASD: THQI). The deal includes a number of upcoming titles on the PC and Xbox 360, including "Saints Row 2."

Agoura Hills, Calif. - Video game publisher THQ (NASD: THQI) on Thursday announced it will lay off 250 employees, or about 17% of its studio staff, as part of a restructuring plan that comes as the company posted a loss of $115.3 million for the quarter ended Sept. 30.

Agoura Hills, Calif. - Video game publisher THQ (NASD: THQI) announced on Thursday that it has acquired the publishing rights to "50 Cent: Blood on the Sand," the follow-up to the multi-million unit-selling game featuring hip-hop artist 50 Cent. The game is currently slated for release for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in early 2009, and will feature 18 exclusive new tracks from the artist.

Los Angeles - The Connecticut Superior Court has dismissed the majority of claims brought by the WWE (NYSE: WWE) against game makers THQ (NASD: THQI) and Jakks Pacific (NASD: JAKK), which alleged that a joint venture between the two companies to create wrestling video games bribed several WWE employees in securing the licensing deal. In addition, the court dismissed WWE's state antitrust claim, citing lack of injury and a similar decision by a federal court, as well as federal claims against Jakks that alleged violations of RICO, the Sherman Antitrust Act and the Robinson-Patman Act.

New York - Marvel Entertainment said on Thursday that it has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with video game developer THQ (NASD: THQI), which will create video games based on the Marvel's kid-friendly Super Hero Squad franchise. The initial game is scheduled for release in the fall of 2009. Separately, THQ said it signed a deal with DreamWorks Animation to publish games based on the studio's 2010 fall animated feature film, currently under the working title "Master Mind." The film is billed as a satirical send-up of the superhero genre.

Agoura Hills, Calif. - Video game publisher THQ (NASD: THQI) said on Thursday that it is developing "Journey to the Center of the Earth" for the Nintendo DS, based on the forthcoming digital 3D film from New Line Cinema. The game is slated for release in July alongside the film, which will figure as the first digital 3D live-action movie.

Agoura Hills, Calif. - Video game publisher THQ (NASD: THQI) on Monday shipped its "Battle of the Bands" exclusively for Nintendo Wii to retailers. The game, which THQ says combines "beat matching and combat," features 30 popular songs recorded in each of five different styles -- rock, funk/hip-hop, country, marching band and Latin -- which players can switch between during head-to-head gameplay.

Agoura Hills, Calif. - Video game publisher THQ (NASD: THQI) announced on Wednesday that it has acquired Elephant Entertainment, a developer of casual and online games.

Agoura Hills, Calif. - Video game publisher THQ (NASD: THQI) announced on Wednesday that it has received word that the SEC has completed its investigation into the company's stock options granting practices, and will not recommend any action against the company.

Agoura Hills, Calif. - Video game publisher THQ (NASD: THQI) said on Thursday that it plans to ship "Band Mashups" for the Nintendo Wii to retailers in April. The rhythm-based combat game features 150 tracks across multiple genres. "Band Mashups takes an innovative approach to the rhythm/action genre by blending music and combat in the ultimate battle of the bands," said Randy Shoemaker, global brand director at THQ. "Using a rhythm based game-play mechanic, the game delivers 70 over-the-top musical weapons and utilizes the Wii Remote's functionality to deliver a completely original musical combat experience."

Agoura Hills, Calif. - Video game publisher THQ (NASD: THQI) has announced that it will shutter its Concrete Games studio, cancel production on several new titles and discontinue its "Stuntman" and "Juiced" franchises, as it attempts to strengthen its development of high-quality games.

Agoura Hills, Calif. - Video game publisher THQ (NASD: THQI) announced on Tuesday it will acquire roleplaying game developer Big Huge Games for an undisclosed sum.

Agoura Hills, Calif. - Video game publisher THQ (NASD: THQI) announced on Thursday that its Heavy Iron Studios is developing games based on Disney/Pixar's upcoming digitally animated film, "WALL/E." Titles for Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, PSP, DS, PC and mobile platforms will be released alongside the film this summer.

Espoo, Finland - Nokia (NASD: NOK), THQ Wireless (NASD: THQI), Lucasfilm and LucasArts announced on Monday plans to offer "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed" for Nokia's N-Gage mobile gaming platform in 2008. Developed at THQ's Unversomo studio in Finland, the game casts players as Darth Vader's secret apprentice, and promises to "unveil new revelations about the Star Wars galaxy."