Analysts lay the smackdown: THQ franchises slump, WWE, Saints Row, SpongeBob

RAWR. The analysts in Cowen and Company are projecting that THQ may have a hard time breaking even this year. And why is that? It looks like some of THQ’s franchises, namely WWE, Saints Row, and even Spongebob are heading down for Bikini Bottom. That’s quite a blow, considering that their franchises have been released across the current gen platforms and handhelds!

The analysts in Cowen and Company are projecting that THQ may have a hard time breaking even for the second half of its financial outlook this year. And why is that? It looks like some of THQ’s franchises, namely WWE, Saints Row, and even Spongebob are heading down for Bikini Bottom.

That’s quite a blow, considering that their franchises have been released across the current gen platforms and handhelds! From Cowen and Company’s Doug Creutz:

The WWE decline is particularly concerning since that franchise had been one of THQÂ’s last bastions of strength. The unit decline is not likely due to quality issues as this yearÂ’s WWE title actually received meaningfully improved critical reviews compared to the last several editions.

And true enough, WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 for the Xbox 360, PS3, PSP, PS2, Wii, and DS was fairly well-received (well, maybe not so much for the DS, but still). Though the fans who bought the game might have liked it, actual sales figures show a different story.

Compared to 2007, this year’s sales for the new installment saw a 22% decline. SpongeBob’s latest game didn’t do so well either, dropping by 19%.

As far as Saints Row 2 sales go, it isn’t looking up either.

Previously we had been optimistic that the franchise could break the 1 million mark, given its launch on two platforms. The original Saints Row sold roughly 750,000 US units during its first four quarters in release on a single platform at a much earlier point in the console cycle.

---

Related articles:

• DLC for Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 now available, three new characters and a costume
• Patch for WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2009 planned, custom superstars to get big boost

Via GamesIndustry