Shanda and THQ are readying Company of Heroes Online for Asian release.

SEPT. 4, 2008 • THQ confirmed it will open a new office in Shanghai to court publishing and development partners in China. The company is interested in both online and packaged games for the market. Later this year THQ will release Company of Heroes Online in Asia with its Chinese partner Shanda Interactive. The latter is a free-to-pay game with micro-transaction options.

Impact: THQ has been quietly looking to build up a presence both in Asia and in online games. The company has been strong with taking high-profile entertainment licenses and developing them into low cost packaged games that sell on the strength of their license. The challenge will be to try and expand into emerging markets, something that has never been THQ’s forte.