THQ Logo PNG
The THQ logo is full of creativity and imagination. The sharp lines of the emblem and smooth contours convey a high-technology approach, reflecting the precise execution of codes and programs that enable the creation of unforgettable game hits.
THQ was founded in Calabasas, California, in 1990 by Jack Friedman, who had earlier helped build toy publisher LJN. The company began as Toy Headquarters with $1 million of Friedman’s own money. In 1991, it merged with Trinity Acquisition Corporation, which was listed on NASDAQ, and entered the video game market with Peter Pan and the Pirates, based on the Fox Kids series.
Early sales came mainly from licensed games such as Where’s Waldo? and Home Alone. By the mid-1990s, the company was losing money, and in 1995 Brian Farrell replaced Friedman as president. Farrell cut staff and shifted THQ toward licensed franchises. WCW wrestling games became a hit in 1997, and after those rights moved, THQ built a long-running WWE series. It also worked with Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks Animation, and Nickelodeon.
In the 2000s, THQ expanded by buying studios. Volition joined in 2000, bringing Red Faction and later Saints Row. Relic Entertainment arrived in 2004 with Company of Heroes. Vigil Games and Kaos Studios followed. By 2007, THQ reported $68 million in profit on $1 billion in revenue, putting it near larger publishers such as Activision.
The collapse came after 2009. Free browser games weakened its children’s market, and the uDraw tablet failed on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2011. THQ left the licensed children’s games business, closed its studios, defaulted on a $50 million Wells Fargo loan in 2012, and filed for Chapter 11 on December 19. In 2013, SEGA bought Relic; Koch Media bought Volition and Saints Row; Activision took Nickelodeon’s rights; and Nordic Games later bought the remaining IP and the THQ name.
Meaning and History
The company’s logo was developed in 1990 when the company was founded. The verbal sign indicated that Jack Friedman prophesied a bright future for his brainchild, as he already had experience with LJN Toys Ltd. at the time, and the new company had every chance of becoming a profitable major corporation. During the company’s short existence, there were several logo transformations. Rebranding helped THQ keep up with the rapidly changing technology world in which it worked.
What is THQ?
In the past, it was a major US video game publisher. It held licenses to develop games based on cartoons and movies from major film companies, including Disney and Nickelodeon. The net profit in the last years of operation was 130-140 million dollars.
1990 – 1994
The first logo includes the emblem that will be common in the future and its decoding. On an elongated gray rectangle, there are three letters: a red T, followed by a dot, after which a black HQ, below the abbreviation, the red inscription Toy, and black Headquarters, which is the full name of the company.
Initially, the company was engaged in toys and board games. The analogy with the headquarters attempts to represent a place where games are developed, replicated, and published. The choice indicates that the company is at the heart of a large industry: in addition to its own developments, it holds licenses to release toys and video games based on films from major entertainment companies, including Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks, and Nickelodeon.
The gray background resembles a sticker on a box or board game packaging.
1994 – 1997
In 1994, Jack Friedman left the business, and the company decided to focus solely on video games. Because of this, the emblem changed shape to a black square, corresponding to a disk, a floppy disk, or a PlayStation memory card. The full name wouldn’t fit such a background, so it was shortened to an abbreviation. The red dot between the letters echoed the red line below the name, on which the addition Inc. rested.
The dot hinted at multiplication, conveying the massive number of games piling up and preparing for sale at THQ. The line resembled a loading bar.
1997 – 2000
In 1997, THQ was incorporated under the Delaware General Corporation Law. Very favorable laws for business development now govern the company and allow it to become a corporation. Changes marked the logo update. The primary look and form of the mark remained, with minor simplifications: the dot between the letters and the inscriptions on the red line were removed.
Now, the abbreviation reminded me of a play on words (the straight pronunciation of the letters also sounds like “Thank you”). The company was thankful to fate and its clients and was happy about the changes.
The elongated white elements conveyed growth, and the underline increased the company’s market weight and significance. During this period, THQ actively signed contracts and bought its competitors. Deals with Electronic Arts and Codemasters enabled them to represent other companies’ interests in the video game market.
2000 – 2011
The company updated its logo for the new millennium to demonstrate its desire to move forward. The whole composition of the emblem seemed to be moving forward. The floppy disk shape became outdated. The black square turned into a parallelepiped, the letters of the inscription leaned to the right, and the tail of Q continued the red line.
The full glyphs of THQ conveyed expansion. On the contrary, the line became thin, like an arrow moving forward. Technology does not stand still. Game downloads are much faster, and tiny memory cards and flash drives are enough to store information.
As noted in THQ, the mark’s dynamism indicates the expanding libraries of games for known franchises and the company’s aspiration for leadership.
2011 – 2013
Since the PlayStation is no longer as popular, THQ decided to further develop tablets. The first one was presented in mid-2010.
The new stage of development was reflected in the emblem. The sign turned out to be modern and high-tech, embodying prestige. The silver metal T and H are complemented by a red curve, forming Q. The elements look unusual to emphasize the publisher’s creativity and improvements. The “H” is missing the upper half of the left leg. Thanks to this technique, the TH combination resembles a table and chair where the company’s clients typically play. The user should also sit down to work with the tablet.
The shape of the letter Q resembles a ring road from which a straight highway departs. The company is ending its circular motion and “exiting” onto a straight road. The letter’s form also resonates with gaming disks.
In 2012, THQ went bankrupt. The Swedish company Nordic Games (now Embracer Group) acquired the trademark and several assets. In 2016, it changed its name to THQ Nordic. Now, its subsidiary companies use this name.
Font and Colors
Light gray is the mark’s basis. It embodies hard work and continuous improvement. In combination with it, red is used for the letter Q as a shade of leadership and innovation. Sometimes, the last element is made in blue or purple. The former signifies technology: new developments and the implementation of the most advanced discoveries. Purple shifts the focus to fantasy, mysticism, and imagination. This shade reveals the company’s creative side and its development of new game plots.
The font of the inscription is unique due to the serious transformations of the letters. This technique emphasizes THQ’s individuality.