THQ Solves PlayStation Puzzle Void With New Game,"Devil Dice"; Devilishly Addictive Title Ships...

CALABASAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 23, 1998--THQ Inc. (Nasdaq/NMS:THQI) is rolling its lucky number with the launch of "Devil Dice," a 3-D multiplayer puzzle game for the PlayStation game console.

Developed by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., "Devil Dice" is now available in North America for a Suggested Retail Price of $39.95.

This addicting puzzler challenges players to beat the clock or square off against each other in a frantic, high-speed circus of tumbling dice. Players can choose from four different game modes, ranging from mind-bending brainteasers to dizzying multiplayer wars.

"'Devil Dice' is the ultimate puzzle game for every member of the family," said Michael Haller, senior vice president, THQ. "This irresistible entertainer combines all of the crucial elements that make up a great puzzle game -- once you start playing, you won't be able to stop. It has unlimited re-playability and its unusual brain-twisting puzzles are continuously challenging."

The object in "Devil Dice" is to make as many dice disappear as possible by matching similar numbers of dice. To do this, players can choose from four different modes: Trial (1 player), Battle (1-2 players), War (1-5 players with a multi-tap) and Puzzle (1 player).

In Trial mode, gamers control feisty devils that race across the tops of giant dice, feverishly turning them over in an attempt to group similar numbers. As the dice are lined up and cleared, new ones appear to keep the game moving.

In Battle mode, players take on a friend or the computer, competing to be the first to line up three, four or five dice patterns. But be careful: opponents can steal patterns already lined up. The War mode is a 5-player simultaneous survival game. Each person (or computer opponent) has a life meter. As others line up dice, the number of dice they make disappear will be subtracted from everyone else's score.

The object of Puzzle mode is to line up all the dice and make them vanish in a certain number of steps. If the challenger cannot line up the dice properly in the allotted number of steps, they must try again. Players will encounter five different types of dice as they progress through the game, adding to the difficulty of each puzzle.

For example: Normal dice slide one square in any direction; Wood dice roll; Ice dice keep moving until they hit another block or the edge of the playing field; Stone dice can only be moved from the floor; and Iron dice won't move at all!

THQ develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software worldwide for a variety of hardware platforms including PC CD-ROM, and those manufactured by Nintendo and Sony. The THQ Web site is located at www.thq.com.