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2013/01/15 15:54:48
Subject: Re:THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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Enemy of the Dúnedain
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Today THQ announced that it has secured an investor, a private equity firm named Clearlake Capital Group, who is interested in purchasing most of what you think makes up THQ: the teams that make the games (Relic, THQ Montreal, Vigil and Volition), THQ’s Intellectual Property (titles, source code, etc.), THQ’s contracts (like the ones with Crytek, South Park Digital Studios, 4A games, Obsidian, and Turtle Rock) and the support staff that are required to help the teams succeed.
In fact, Clearlake is even providing the company the money it needs to keep working on the products as the process plays itself out. And importantly, when the purchase is complete, Clearlake has committed to invest additional ample capital to let us finish the games we are making and continue making games going forward.
In short, they are investing in a new start for our company.
The sale needs to be completed through a Chapter 11 proceeding of the Bankruptcy code, which we filed today. Given the intense speculation that we have experienced in recent weeks and months, this news probably isn’t that surprising.
But what does “Chapter 11” mean? What will happen to the games you are expecting? The series you love? And what about the people and teams that make them?
The most important thing to understand is that Chapter 11 does not mean the end of the THQ story or the end of the titles you love. Quite the opposite is true, actually.
Chapter 11 is a safety net for U.S. companies. American Airlines is currently in Chapter 11 restructuring, yet I flew back and forth on that airline when I visited Volition two weeks ago. Donald Trump and his companies have been in Chapter 11 four times. You can add to that list household names such as Macy’s, Eddie Bauer, the Chicago Cubs, Chrysler, Delta Airlines, General Motors, the Pittsburgh Penguins, Marvel Studios, and MGM, among many others.
MGM filed Chapter 11 two years ago, and this year it released “Skyfall” and “The Hobbit,” two of the biggest titles of the year. That’s what I mean when I say new start!
Our Chapter 11 process allows for other bidders to make competing offers for THQ. So while we are extremely excited about the Clearlake opportunity, we won’t be able to say that the deal is done for a month or so.
Rest assured that the goal throughout the sale process has been to preserve our teams and our products. So no matter what the outcome in 30 days, as long as we have accomplished this goal, I will be satisfied.
Whatever happens, the teams and products look likely to end up together and in good hands. That means you can still pre-order Metro: Last Light, Company of Heroes 2, and South Park: The Stick of Truth. Our teams are still working on those titles as you read this, and all other rumored titles, like the fourth Saints Row, the Homefront sequel, and a lot more are also still in the works.
Finally, you might be asking, why would THQ file for Chapter 11 right before the holiday season? Admittedly, the timing is unfortunate. But as we announced a few weeks ago, we have a January 15 deadline approaching for our bank funding. So if you work backwards to allow the necessary time to complete a sale, you end up at this week. Since all of THQ’s worldwide employees are off for a week and a half of paid vacation starting Friday for the holidays and will return to work on January 2nd, it hardly matters anyway.
So THQ made headlines today – and I am sure there will be tons of click-grabbing headlines over the next month or so. But what matters to us is not what is happening to THQ right now, but what the company and its teams will make of ourselves after we complete the sale.
In short, the teams will be unburdened by the past and able to focus on what they should be focusing on -- Making great games.
I’m excited about the future and hope to have more to report soon.
Feel free to tweet me @Jason_Rubin
--Jason Rubin, President of THQ Inc.
From THQ Website, doesn't sound too bad.
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Mainly found in the LOTR section..... |
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2013/01/15 16:09:23
Subject: THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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The New Miss Macross!
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Your info is a bit dated. The sale that your post is mentioning is the one that is delayed by the judge in the first post of this thread. Clearlake and THQ agreed to a lowball "big" over christmas that saved clearlake money and largely kept the people making the (bad) decisions at THQ employed; the creditors, court appointed overseer, and judge balked at that move.
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2013/01/15 20:53:12
Subject: THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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Screaming Shining Spear
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Imagine a warhammer 40k specific games producer, like BL an arm of GW that focuses on another platform.
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2013/01/15 22:06:07
Subject: Re:THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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Norn Queen
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RogueRegault wrote:Honestly, I'd love Relic and Volition to go separate ways from DoW and Saint's Row just for the hope that this will lead to Homeworld 3 and Freespace 3.
Unfortunately, THQ acquired the Homeworld license years ago, and then did nothing with it. The chances of seeing a Relic made Homeworld 3 are slim to nil these days.
Sure, it might get sold off (though it's not particularly lucratice property anymore), but the chances of whoever ends up buying Relic also obtaining the Homeworld license and putting Relic to work on it, are basically nil. Not to mention it's not the same people or company culture that gave us Homeworld (or the unfortunate Homeworld 2).
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2013/01/15 23:09:54
Subject: THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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Unstoppable Bloodthirster of Khorne
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As much as I enjoyed Dawn of War, I'm more concerned with the fate of Volition/Saints Row... (and I guess, Red Faction, kinda).
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2013/01/22 22:35:44
Subject: THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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Regular Dakkanaut
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Some news on this
http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/22/south-park-studios-battles-thq-over-potential-sale-of-the-stick/
It appears THQ is trying to sell IP that it owns exclusive rights for. This means unless GW sues in a similar manner Dawn of War, and Space Marine will be sold.
The auction of THQ assets takes place tomorrow.
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2013/01/22 23:05:49
Subject: THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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Decrepit Dakkanaut
UK
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I expect GW will try and file a complaint several weeks after it's too late,
the have an 'on the ball' legal team after all
(maybe chapterhouse should bid for Dawn of War?)
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2013/01/22 23:09:52
Subject: THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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Norn Queen
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Except THQ don't have exclusive rights to Space Marine, given they don't own the 40k IP.
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2013/01/23 02:13:15
Subject: THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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Owns Whole Set of Skullz Techpriests
Versteckt in den Schatten deines Geistes.
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Yeah, what happens with one doesn't mean it'll happen with others. Not all license agreements are the same.
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2013/01/23 10:07:29
Subject: Re:THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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Pile of Necron Spare Parts
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Well this is all looking quite interesting though i know that GW has last say over the 40k license so it just maybe be licensed to a new company well we will see what happens to THQ tomorrow. 
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 2000 Points |
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2013/01/23 15:02:20
Subject: THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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Longtime Dakkanaut
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SEGA apparently bought Relic along with the CoH licence. And they already (edited) hold the WFB licence, so getting 40K when they have Relic might be a realistic prospect.
http://www.gamersglobal.de/news/63674/thq-verkauf-sega-kauft-relic-koch-evolve-crytek-homefront
Guess DoW3 might happen after all.
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This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2013/01/23 18:48:03
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2013/01/23 16:16:04
Subject: THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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Infiltrating Broodlord
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SEGA? Oh sweet Emperor NO!
SEGA used to know what they were doing years ago. But now? I shudder to think.
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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/01/23 16:17:01
I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member. -Groucho Marx
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2013/01/23 16:30:05
Subject: THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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[MOD]
Decrepit Dakkanaut
Cozy cockpit of an Archer ARC-5S
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SEGA is a publisher though and they publish the Total War series.
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Fatum Iustum Stultorum
Fiat justitia ruat caelum
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2013/01/23 18:11:47
Subject: THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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Crushing Black Templar Crusader Pilot
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I think SEGA only has the Fantasy license. If they pick up 40K along with Relic then more power to them. Just get some games out already!
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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/01/23 18:12:20
 BLACK TEMPLARS - 2000  0RkZ - 2000  NIDZ - WIP  STEEL LEGION - WIP
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2013/01/23 18:48:54
Subject: THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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Longtime Dakkanaut
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 ShatteredBlade wrote:SEGA? Oh sweet Emperor NO!
SEGA used to know what they were doing years ago. But now? I shudder to think.
Yeah, EA would have been better, right? All those top notch C&C titles from them...
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2013/01/23 18:57:38
Subject: THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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Ollanius Pius - Savior of the Emperor
Gathering the Informations.
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 His Master's Voice wrote: ShatteredBlade wrote:SEGA? Oh sweet Emperor NO!
SEGA used to know what they were doing years ago. But now? I shudder to think.
Yeah, EA would have been better, right? All those top notch C&C titles from them...
C&C was dead before EA got them.
And remember that EA's acquisition was for the currently existing "franchises". They could not make anything new or use anything that had been in development.
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2013/01/23 19:01:09
Subject: THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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Ian Pickstock
Nottingham
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C&C 1 and 2 were great games, as were Red Alert 1 and 2.
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Naaa na na na-na-na-naaa.
Na-na-na-naaaaa.
Hey Jude. |
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2013/01/23 19:09:23
Subject: THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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Wolf Guard Bodyguard in Terminator Armor
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Well its not like the Total War games dont win RTS awards or anything lol.
Personally I see that as a massive bonus, Creative Assembly works on the Fantasy side of things and Relic the 40k side of things.
Maybe we will see a 40k total war style game with a galaxy map, ships and planet invasions.....sort of a better version of Empire at War lol
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2013/01/23 19:15:16
Subject: THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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Guard Heavy Weapon Crewman
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Even if the 40k license goes with Relic to SEGA there won't be a 40k based Total War. At least, not in the foreseeable future. Overall it's a good thing for Relic, CoH2 is looking fantastic and now they're set financially for a while they can start looking ahead to DoW3. Maybe even hire some staff again once CoH2 hits.
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2013/01/23 19:45:58
Subject: THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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Infiltrating Broodlord
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His Master's Voice wrote: ShatteredBlade wrote:SEGA? Oh sweet Emperor NO!
SEGA used to know what they were doing years ago. But now? I shudder to think.
Yeah, EA would have been better, right? All those top notch C&C titles from them...
Yeah because EA totally didn't make the Space Hulk computer games back in the 90's. Fething kids get off my lawn! 
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This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2013/01/23 19:46:37
I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member. -Groucho Marx
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2013/01/23 20:09:51
Subject: THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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Guard Heavy Weapon Crewman
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ShatteredBlade wrote: His Master's Voice wrote: ShatteredBlade wrote:SEGA? Oh sweet Emperor NO!
SEGA used to know what they were doing years ago. But now? I shudder to think.
Yeah, EA would have been better, right? All those top notch C&C titles from them...
Yeah because EA totally didn't make the Space Hulk computer games back in the 90's. Fething kids get off my lawn!
That was almost 20 years ago. As per your comment about SEGA, EA have changed.
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2013/01/23 21:25:48
Subject: THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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Bonkers Buggy Driver with Rockets
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For reference, here's a link with the current known sales, courtesy of JoyStiq: http://www.joystiq.com/2013/01/23/thq-assets-divided/
On reflection, SEGA owning Relic is probably quite reasonable but will only remain so if Relic is given funding and left to make their games. Meddling might result in something weird...
But overall, a big sigh and a manly tear for THQ. I had a small hope they would survive in one piece, but instead they were torn apart. Such a shame.
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2013/01/23 22:08:17
Subject: THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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Myrmidon Officer
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Another link as to the dividings:
http://kotaku.com/5978429/this-is-the-letter-that-thq-sent-to-employees-today
In the end, it's not bad.
* Sega publishes Total War, and obtaining the 40k and CoH license works out wonderfully.
* Crytek could honestly do Homefront some justice. It was a decent game with a decent premise.
* Ubisoft will get the South Park game, but nobody really cares because the PC version will have DRM, the PS3 version will have months-delayed DLC, and the XBox version will just be a rental; it'll be forgotten by the next year's iteration.
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2013/01/23 22:10:51
Subject: Re:THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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Mounted Kroot Tracker
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How close are we to it being only Activision and Electronic Arts?
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2013/01/23 22:13:59
Subject: THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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Focused Dark Angels Land Raider Pilot
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ZeniMax missed the bid for Relic by 300K out of $26.6Million USD. Imagine what 40K would be like if it was passed off to Bethesda.
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2013/01/23 22:14:27
Subject: Re:THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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Decrepit Dakkanaut
UK
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 Oaka wrote:How close are we to it being only Activision and Electronic Arts?
Neither won anything (and I'm not certain that they even bid),
Some stuff (like Darksiders & it's dev) did not sell, again it's not clear if they got no bids, or no bid reached the minimum price
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2013/01/23 22:18:27
Subject: Re:THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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Oberstleutnant
Back in the English morass
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The complete breakdown of prices etc can be found here: http://www.thesangreal.net/gafpics/results.pdf
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The prefect example of someone missing the point.
Do not underestimate the Squats. They survived for millenia cut off from the Imperium and assailed on all sides. Their determination and resilience is an example to us all.
-Leman Russ, Meditations on Imperial Command book XVI (AKA the RT era White Dwarf Commpendium).
Its just a shame that they couldn't fight off Andy Chambers.
Warzone Plog |
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2013/01/23 22:18:30
Subject: THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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Kelne
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Awesome news, I hope the licence will be granted to SEGA to make a W40K Total War.
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2013/01/23 22:35:38
Subject: THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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Oberstleutnant
Back in the English morass
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They are already making a Warhammer:Total war (probably) and besides a 40k TW game would be terrible.
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The prefect example of someone missing the point.
Do not underestimate the Squats. They survived for millenia cut off from the Imperium and assailed on all sides. Their determination and resilience is an example to us all.
-Leman Russ, Meditations on Imperial Command book XVI (AKA the RT era White Dwarf Commpendium).
Its just a shame that they couldn't fight off Andy Chambers.
Warzone Plog |
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2013/01/23 23:10:52
Subject: THQ Assets (including Relic, the 40k game license holder) to be sold "Title by Title"
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Stubborn Dark Angels Veteran Sergeant
Ontario
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Good, that's one of the better results I could have hoped for. Sega isn't actually that bad of a publisher, and I think they will do a decent job with Relic. Maybe they're attempting to corner the RTS market? Outside of Starcraft and the Civ series I don't know of any series that makes as much of a splash as total war or CoH and DoW.
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DCDA:90-S++G+++MB++I+Pw40k98-D+++A+++/areWD007R++T(S)DM+ |
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Dark Angels (Black Armor Themed)