Today in the US, THQ and Nintendo announced the exciting new gaming accessory to come to the Wii. Most exciting of all, the idea first originated out of the Melbourne THQ offices where it then came to fruition.
Agoura Hills, Calif. – August 17, 2010 – Global video game developer and publisher, THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced uDraw™ GameTablet™, a first-of-its-kind, innovative new gaming accessory developed by THQ as a Wii™ exclusive scheduled to hit Australian and New Zealand shelves in March 2011.
The uDraw GameTablet will launch bundled with an expansive drawing, coloring and art-based video game, uDraw Studio, for a recommended retail price of $109.99 AUD. In addition to uDraw Studio, two other video games designed for use with the uDraw GameTablet – Pictionary™ and Dood’s Big Adventure™ – are scheduled to hit store shelves on the same day. Future waves of video game titles are planned during calendar 2011 and beyond.
“The uDraw GameTablet is designed to target consumers of all ages with a compelling price point and familiar drawing-inspired gameplay mechanic that has been enhanced for today’s tech-savvy families,” said THQ Chief Executive Officer Brian Farrell.
“We’ve designed the uDraw GameTablet to offer something for everyone: the kids can doodle, save their creations on an SD-Card and print their artwork for display on the refrigerator. Students can improve their skills through in-game tutorial lessons. And the whole family can sit down together for family game time with products like Pictionary,” added Executive Vice President, THQ Kids, Family, Casual Games and Global Online Services, Martin Good.
The uDraw GameTablet concept and design began as an idea from the THQ Melbourne office.
“We are impressed with THQ’s innovative design and focus on bringing a new gameplay experience to the Wii owner with their uDraw GameTablet,” said Steve Singer, vice-president of Licensing for Nintendo of America. “Nintendo is committed to providing fun and unique experiences and THQ’s uDraw GameTablet seems destined to continue that trend.”
About uDraw GameTablet
The uDraw GameTablet is a first-of-its-kind, innovative new hardware device that provides an entirely new and entertaining way for kids and families to play on Wii. Scheduled to be available in Australia and New Zealand in March 2011, the uDraw GameTablet combines a deep and immersive level of creative freedom with a line of video games developed to expand gameplay and expression.
The device is a small white handheld tablet with a 4” x 6” drawing space and detachable, pressure-sensitive stylus designed to offer more subtle control and precision than available on the traditional Wii Remote™. The Wii Remote docks discretely within the uDraw GameTablet, allowing the device to draw power directly from the Wii Remote. A convenient storage area hides the Wii Remote wrist strap and stylus when not in use. The uDraw GameTablet also features tilt-and-roll movement options, allowing players to interact and control in-game characters by moving and directing them through game levels. Additionally, SD-card support enables players to save and print their artwork and other uDraw creations.
The uDraw GameTablet comes ready to play with the uDraw Studio game and is scheduled to be available in Australia and New Zealand from March 2011 for a recommended retail price of $109.99. Pictionary and Dood’s Big Adventure are planned to hit store shelves on the same day.
About uDraw Studio
Packaged with the uDraw GameTablet, uDraw Studio was designed as a showcase piece for the capabilities of the device and features a robust set of art creation modes and user-friendly tools that help players create anything from simple doodles to intricate masterpieces that can be saved and shared.
About Pictionary™
Pictionary™, the game of quick sketches and crazy guesses, has innovative new functionality and game modes for the whole family! In addition to great classic Pictionary™ play, new features include rotating canvases, one-line challenges and other fun gameplay modes in a lively game show setting.
About Dood’s Big Adventure
In Dood’s Big Adventure, players will navigate their customizable Dood through 60 levels across four gameplay modes in a world where coloring books come to life and user-created doodles, characters and background art populates the in-game world.
For more information on the uDraw GameTablet, please visit http://www.WorldofuDraw.com.
uDraw GameTablet can also be found on:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/worldofudraw
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/World_Of_uDraw
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/worldofudraw
About THQ
THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. More information about THQ and its products can be found at www.thq.com and www.thqwireless.com. THQ, uDraw, uDraw GameTablet, Dood’s Big Adventure and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.
PICTIONARY and associated trademarks and trade dress are owned by, and used under license from, Pictionary Incorporated and Mattel, Inc. © 2010 Mattel, Inc. All Rights Reserved.