THQ*ICE to Showcase ‘Dragonica™ Online’ at Anime Expo® 2009
Attendees of Convention Gain Entry into Exclusive Closed Beta Test
LOS ANGELES, CA – June 29, 2009 – Allowing anxious fans the chance to play new content for the very first time, online game operator THQ*ICE LLC today announced the consumer debut of Dragonica™ Online (<http://dragonica.thqice.com> ) for North America during the nation's largest anime and manga convention, Anime Expo® 2009, from July 2 – July 5, 2009 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. More information can be found at <www.anime-expo.org> .
Located in booth #428 in the H Hall, THQ*ICE is giving convention goers access to one of the most highly anticipated free-to-play, massively multiplayer online (MMO) games of 2009. While supplies last, fans that visit the Dragonica Online booth will receive a special Activation Key that gets them exclusive access to the game's Closed Beta Test in advance of its launch this Fall. Throughout the show, THQ*ICE will be hosting a variety of promotions including a raffle for limited-edition Dragonica Online wall scrolls, a special Anime Expo-themed in-game item and more!
“This is the first time any U.S. anime convention has been incorporated and immortalized in any MMO game,” states Ms. Liyin Liang Anime Expo Convention Chairwoman. “We are happy to work with THQ*ICE and have them bring such an amazing and exciting game to our convention!”
“We are excited to officially unveil Dragonica Online to our fans at this year's Anime Expo and let them experience new content for the very first time,” said Aaron Dean, Marketing Manager for Dragonica Online. “As part of our commitment to our fans, everyone who stops by our booth will be able to demo new game content, receive special prizes and have the opportunity to get an Activation Key for our Closed Beta Test. We look forward to the event and the chance to get feedback on their experience which we'll then use to create the best game possible.”
Fans who are unable to attend Anime Expo but are interested in participating in the Closed Beta Test can register at <http://dragonica.thqice.com> for the chance to receive a Closed Beta Test Activation Key.
Developed by Barunson Interactive, Dragonica Online is the first MMO to merge 3D side-scrolling, fast-paced combat and a hilarious, yet devastating, skill system. Join the quest to vanquish the threat of evil - explore a fantastical world rife with monsters to battle, challenges to overcome and adventures to discover. Choose your class, master powerful skills and grow your character into a legendary hero.
Anime Expo® 2009 Official Guests of Honor include Yun Kouga, Hiroyuki Imaishi, Daisuke Ishiwatari, Yōsuke Kuroda, Toshimichi Mori, Toshiyuki Morikawa, Morning Musume, Yasuhiro Nightow, Atsushi Nishigori, Satoshi Nishimura, Takashi Okazaki and Kari Wahlgren.
Attendees, Press and Industry Members are also encouraged to view the video coverage site of the 2008 convention at www.axbackstage.org.
Red & Black Sponsors include: FUNimation, Silver Sponsors include: Anime News Network and Digital Manga Press, Patron Sponsors include: COPIC, Central Park Media and The Right Stuf, Media Sponsors include: ImaginAsian TV, Animation Magazine, Anime Insider Magazine, Anime News Network and UTB Hollywood.
About THQ*ICE LLC <http://www.thqice.com>
THQ*ICE LLC is an online games operator specializing in casual massively
multiplayer online (MMO) games. As a joint venture between THQ Inc.
(NASDAQ: THQI) and ICE Entertainment, THQ*ICE combines THQ's product
development and retail publishing expertise with ICE's technology and
service operations experience. THQ*ICE is dedicated to building an online
platform of high quality games and premium content featuring free-to-play,
micro transaction models. Dragonica Online and its respective logo are
trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ*ICE LLC in the U.S.
About Anime Expo®
Located in Los Angeles, California - Anime Expo®, the nation's largest
anime/manga convention, serves to foster trade, commerce and the interests
of the general public and animation/ comics industry. This event serves as a
key meeting place for the general public to express their interest and
explore various aspects of anime/manga, as well as for members of the
industry to conduct business. AX 2009 will be held July 2 – July 5, 2009 at
the Los Angeles Convention Center in Southern California. More information
can be found at its website www.anime-expo.org.
About Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation
The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA) is a non-profit
organization with a mission to popularize and educate the American public
about anime and manga, as well as provide a forum to facilitate
communication between professionals and fans. This organization is more
popularly known by its entertainment property – Anime Expo®. More
information can be found at its website www.spja.org.
The statements made in this press release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. The Company cautions readers of this press release that a number of important factors could cause Anime Expo®/SPJA's actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation, product delays, industry competition, rapid changes in technology and industry standards, protection of proprietary rights, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, vendors and third-party developers, international economic and political conditions. The Company may change its intention, belief or expectation, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in the Company's assumptions or otherwise. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
