FEBRUARY 26, 2009 • THQ closed its International Office in Zürich as part of a cost-reduction restructuring. The closure comes a year after the office had been opened to facilitate the publisher global expansion plans. On March 18, THQ notifi ed employees at its Big Huge Games studio that it may be closed in 30 days if a buyer cannot be found.

Impact: THQ has really struggled as the company never could build a solid international distribution business or expand into high-quality product development. Big Huge Games is a renowned developer of award winning games like Rise of Nations. THQ had only acquired the company in early 2008.