THQ CEO HOPES ‘DE BLOB’ PROVES TO BE DA BOMB

Developing original hits for the Wii video game console has proved elusive for virtually every publisher not named Nintendo, but THQ Inc. CEO Brian Farrell is looking to change all that with his company’s latest offering “de Blob.”

The game, which hits stores today, ranks as the highest-rated title for the Wii on influential review site metacritic.com, a major sales mover for the industry, and is generating raves from noted gaming reviewers like IGN.

THQ executives are expressing “sky’s the limit” expectations for it as a result, and the industry will be closely monitoring for signs that third-party publishers can cash in on the Wii’s popularity.

So far, Wii hits from third parties have been scarce. While Nintendo is racking up massive Wii console sales, it’s often left out of the equation when major studios develop blockbusters.

UBS analyst Ben Schachter flagged the issue earlier this summer, noting, “There are many third-party Wii exclusives that have come and gone with minimal reaction from the market.”

Nintendo’s share of software sales for the Wii is more than 50 percent driven by homegrown hits like “Mario Kart” and “Wii Fit.”

“There’s a leaning process that’s going on at THQ and among other publishers about what are the success factors you need to get right with building a game for the Wii system,” said Brad Carraway, THQ’s vice president of global brand management.

In “de Blob,” a competitive puzzle game, players use blob shaped paint balls to color in a gray cityscape, taking advantage of the Wii’s unique motion sensor remote controls.

The game is part of a rising tide of ambitious Wii original’s from third-party studios.