THQ
Or, you'll be interested to know, Toy HeadQuarters. Okay, so that's not interesting, but this is - THQ has been quietly building an impressive team of in-house studios, staffed by veterans with experience including Battlefield 2, FEAR, Midnight Club and Halo.
Though these new teams have yet to hit stride and bring THQ a litter of new games, the potential is huge. And, of course, italways has the money-spinning WWE license to fall back on.Meanwhile, established dev teams like Relic provide solid, dependable franchises. In a few years, THQ ought to be a major player. Geddit? Player? Games... Oh nevermind.
PUBLISHER SCORE: 77%
THE STUDIOS
Volition Inc| Acquired 2000
Saints Row was Volition's last big hit, but this studio also created the Red Faction series, with both franchises due for new instalments next year. And, with The Punisher also on its "done" list, tounge-in-cheek action is a clear theme for Volition. That, and bloody violence.
Studio score: 75%
Rainbow Studios| Acquired 2001
Unless you're fond of chaotic motorsport, you might never have heard of Rainbow Studios. But it created the MX series - think MX Unleashed or MX vs ATV - which manage to combine the technical aspects to motocross racing with healthy lashings of silly fun. We like.
Studio score: 74%
Relic Entertainment| Acquired 2004
Alongside Creative Assembly, Relic is probably one of the best RTS developers in the world. Its Warhammer 40K strategy series Dawn of War was great, but Company of Heroes is a remarkably brilliant game, while it's impossible to forget the subtle, atmospheric marvel that is Homeworld.
Studio score: 83%
