THQ announces new Warrington and Phoenix digtial studios

THQ has announced that it has re-focused its Juice Games and Rainbow Studios development studios on the creation of games for digital distribution and has renamed them THQ Digital Studios Warrington and THQ Digital Studios Phoenix, respectively.

The focus on both studios will be on digitally distributed games based on THQ’s core game brands and new IP.

“Consumers are increasingly looking for deeper engagement with their favorite entertainment experiences. They also want to enjoy games and entertainment via convenient social and portable platforms that suit their lifestyle,” said Danny Bilson, EVP of THQ . “We plan to address these needs through a rich offering of content distributed across digital platforms, based both on all of our major core brands as well as new intellectual properties.”

The first games from THQ Digital Studios Warrington and Phoenix to be released in fiscal 2011 for all major digital platform and tp continue to publish MV vs. ATV games under the Rainbow Studios brand.

As a result of the realignment, the company expects to reduce headcount in these studios by a total of approximately 60 people.

THQ's investor call is ongoing, and in it, Darksiders was reported as moving 1.2 million units, and reported a profit for Q3 2010 thanks to strong holiday sales.