WWE News: THQ's Demise Would Bring Uncertainty to Future Wrestling Video Games

Wrestling and video game fans, imagine a year with no WWE game releases. Here is a box of tissue for your weeping eyes. But if Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick is correct, we could be looking at that thought as a reality shortly.

Zelnick predicts THQ won't be around in six months.

Gasp...

That means no WWE '14, or WWE All-Stars 2. Yes, that's pretty much Gamergeddon as far as wrestling and video-game fans are concerned.

Zelnick takes a hard swipe at many things THQ, from marketing strategy to overall conceptual approach.

The Criticism

Zelnick is quoted by Alexander Sliwinski of joystiq.com as follows:

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"THQ's strategy was licensed properties, first and foremost. License stuff from other people, whether it's UFC or WWE or a motion picture property, and make a game around that," Zelnick said, noting Take-Two hasn't had the best year either, but a good five-year run. "And our approach, since we took over the company, is 100 percent owned intellectual property."

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Though Take-Two has ridden license-driven series like the NBA 2K franchise to the bank, they have a balance of original, non-license dependent products like Grand Theft Auto and Max Payne as well.

Those titles have been hugely successful.

Here is how a company's approach can cause everything to go down the tube, even the beloved franchises, like WWE '12.

THQ has had no balance in their lineup, thus Zelnick's criticism of their approach. Most every one of the main horses in the product lineup depend on a major license: UFC Undisputed, WWE games, Dirt and several motion picture-licensed titles.

Too Late To Shift Gears?

Zelnick recognizes that THQ has made efforts to change this licensed dependent strategy, but he apparently believes it's too late:

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Zelnick stated licensed properties -- something he has avoided in his career -- leaves publishers at the mercy of license holders. Even if a publisher does a great job on a property, it will have to renegotiate the license in a few years and the margins will decrease because it's being charged more money for a brand it built up in the space. Zelnick noted THQ did partially change its strategy a few years back regarding owned intellectual strategy, but it's hard to do that overnight.

"The most important difference is quality. Take-Two has the highest quality ratings among third-party publishers, according to Metacritic and most people in the industry. Quality really, really, really matters. THQ has had some good games, but their quality levels aren't even remotely ... the quality hasn't measured up."

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So basically, it's costing THQ more and more money to maintain the WWE license. The inclusion of The Rock, John Cena and all other WWE properties is seen as essential to ensure the popularity and sales success of the product.

Now, the profits are shrinking, if THQ wants to still allocate as much to making the game good. This is terrible, but it isn't unprecedented.

This is precisely why EA Sports may not choose to extend their exclusive NFL licensing agreement past next year. Another example, is EA Sports and Take-Two's canceling of their college basketball franchises.

Companies pay a pretty penny to have access to images gamers can identify with.

Is it possible THQ could squash the WWE?

What Will Happen?

Even if the worst thing happens, expect someone to pick up the WWE license. It won't go without an owner for even a year. The license is a gold mine if used properly, and companies will be lining up to eat off of it.

Still—for those who have taken a liking to what THQ and Yukes has done with wrestling titles, you'll likely approach the next holder of the license with some skepticism.

See, money always messes up a great thing.