THQ GETS TETRIS
October 13, 2000

THQ has secured publishing rights to Tetris, which has sold more than 55 million units worldwide since the first Tetris release for the PC in 1988. The agreement with Tetris developer Blue Planet Software and the Tetris Company grants THQ exclusive rights to publish Tetris games worldwide through 2004 for consoles (PS2, Xbox), portables, and PC. In addition, THQ has the first right of refusal to publish Tetris on wireless, Internet, cellular, and other PDA devices.

THQ's first Tetris games are scheduled for release on PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance, PC, and other next generation systems for holiday 2001.

"Tetris represents one of the greatest gaming phenomenons in our industry," stated Jeff Lapin, vice chairman and COO, THQ. "From 10 minute break-time games on desk tops in countless office cubicles to head to head PlayStation competitions in living rooms across the globe, Tetris has defined puzzle gaming for over a decade on every game system. We are delighted to be partnering with Blue Planet Software as we prepare Tetris for the next wave of handheld and set top technology, as well as the expanding online environment."

The Tetris franchise has enjoyed 88 different releases on 22 different systems since 1988. Tetris games have appeared on every major gaming platform, in hotel rooms, on airline in-flight entertainment systems, as part of original equipment purchases including desktop PCs and cellular phones, and more.