THQ Extends UFC License Through 2018
Mike Whitman Oct 19, 2010
THQ, manufacturer of the UFC's “Undisputed” video game series, has
agreed to extend its partnership with the mixed martial arts
organization through 2018.
Multiple gaming media outlets today reported the news, including IGN. THQ announced the extension of its exclusive contract with Zuffa, LLC to put out UFC-branded games for at least the next nine years.
"We're very excited to extend our relationship with Zuffa and the
Ultimate Fighting Championship," said Danny Bilson, Executive Vice
President, Core Games, THQ. "Working closely together with Dana
White and the incredible team at UFC, we plan to continue to
deliver outstanding interactive UFC experiences to gamers around
the world in all new ways, including social, mobile and brand
extensions."
The deal includes rights to the release of games on all current and future consoles, PC, wireless, handheld devices, and certain social networks.
The UFC broke the seal on a new generation of MMA games when they released “Undisputed 2009” through THQ. UFC president Dana White had previously met with EA Sports to discuss producing a game, but White claims that he was turned down flat by the company. The company's 2009 effort was successful enough to warrant a sequel, and “Undisputed 2010” has apparently inspired this new nine-year partnership between the two companies.
Last year, EA Sports, famous for titles such as football juggernaut “Madden” and boxing sim “Fight Night,” announced that it would be throwing its hat into the proverbial ring with EA Sports “MMA” in 2010. The company's inaugural mixed martial arts effort, which will enable players to fight in a boxing ring as well as with a PRIDE FC-inspired rule set, will hit shelves today in North America and Oct. 22 overseas.
In August, THQ announced that it would slow its production of the “Undisputed” series from every year to about every 18 months. This is perhaps in reaction to EA's June announcement that it would alternate years producing “MMA” and “Fight Night.”
Multiple gaming media outlets today reported the news, including IGN. THQ announced the extension of its exclusive contract with Zuffa, LLC to put out UFC-branded games for at least the next nine years.
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The deal includes rights to the release of games on all current and future consoles, PC, wireless, handheld devices, and certain social networks.
The UFC broke the seal on a new generation of MMA games when they released “Undisputed 2009” through THQ. UFC president Dana White had previously met with EA Sports to discuss producing a game, but White claims that he was turned down flat by the company. The company's 2009 effort was successful enough to warrant a sequel, and “Undisputed 2010” has apparently inspired this new nine-year partnership between the two companies.
Last year, EA Sports, famous for titles such as football juggernaut “Madden” and boxing sim “Fight Night,” announced that it would be throwing its hat into the proverbial ring with EA Sports “MMA” in 2010. The company's inaugural mixed martial arts effort, which will enable players to fight in a boxing ring as well as with a PRIDE FC-inspired rule set, will hit shelves today in North America and Oct. 22 overseas.
In August, THQ announced that it would slow its production of the “Undisputed” series from every year to about every 18 months. This is perhaps in reaction to EA's June announcement that it would alternate years producing “MMA” and “Fight Night.”
