Disclosure: I am not a gamer, my favorite computer game was played on Windows 3.1 in 1994/5. Don’t know the English name, we called it Pirates Ship, basically three guys (one has a shield, one has a knife, and another one can jump) have to work together to overcome the adversaries and achieve the final goal (get out of the prison something). With baby on the way, and the popularity of online games, I envision I may play online games with my kid some day (if you can not beat them, join them 🙂
Disclosure 2: previously I traded Chinese game stocks in 2006, I lost money in all cases (Shanda SNDA, the9 NCTY, Netease NETS). Currently I have some THQI shares. Keep that in mind when reading the following.
(source: bestgamewallpapers)
THQ Inc. is No 3 independent game publisher in the world (70% revenue from publishing or licensing, 30% from own development. The eventual goal is 50/50, according to its management presentation, link below). The company was hit hard in recession since last Sept. They reduced workforce by 24% (roughly 2400 – 600 = 1800). I learned it through my friend StrengthTrader (in Chinese) mentioning its game Company of Heros 英雄连 (co-developed in China with Shanda). Note it’s too early to tell whether Company of Heros will succeed in China or not, and THQ offers a lot more games.
THQ Inc. Convertible Notes Offering 8/5/2009 (source)
Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP advised Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated as the initial purchaser in a Rule 144A offering by THQ Inc. of $100 million aggregate principal amount of 5% convertible senior notes due 2014.
Fiscal 2009 annual report (fiscal 2009 ends March 2009, link here)
Think Equity Talk by CEO Brian Farrell (free registration needed to get access)
Goldman talk (by Paul Pucino, Executive Vice President & CFO, THQ Inc.)