Press Releases

Leading Worldwide Developer and Publisher of Interactive Entertainment Software Looks to Collins College for New Hires in Game Design and Animation

THQ Hires 52 Collins College Students and Grads for Phoenix Office

THQ is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. THQ, which is headquartered in Agoura Hills, California, opened its Quality Assurance Department in Phoenix in January of 2007.

According to Michael Motoda, Quality Assurance Manager for THQ, "One of the reasons THQ opened an office in Phoenix is because of the quality of schools that offer game degrees. We are extremely pleased with the quality of job candidates Collins College has provided. It has been a great opportunity for both of our organizations."

Quality assurance game testers play through and troubleshoot games in development to look for "bugs" or defects in software across a variety of systems. Testers are responsible for tracking, testing and researching bugs in all games, as well as documenting and communicating their findings. Depending on a game’s complexity, it can take three months or more to provide adequate feedback.

THQ tests games on all major systems, including X Sony's PlayStation®, PlayStation® 2 and 3, and PSPT; Nintendo's GameCube®, Game Boy® Advance, WiiTM and DSTM; Microsoft's Xbox® and Xbox 360TM; and PCs. Games include Titian, Cars, Conan, Zoey 101, Sponge Bob, and Avatar: The Last Airbender.

According to John Calman, president of Collins College, "This is a tremendous opportunity for our current game students as well as our graduates to work at such an innovative and well-known company."

Collins College offers two game degree areas—a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Game Design and a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts with a major in Game Art. Each degree is designed to prepare individuals for entry level jobs in this field.

The Bachelor's Degree in Game Design is for individuals who are interested in designing games as well as technical programming, while a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Visual Arts with a major in Game Art concentrates on design.

Collins College also offers a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Animation. The degree program is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions as traditional and 3D computer animators, modelers in animation, animation production assistants, and internet animators. Collins’ Game programs are one of the school’s fastest growing degree areas.

About Collins College
Collins College, a school of design and technology, provides students with a career- focused education. Approximately 2,000 students from across the nation attend Collins College. Collins offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in animation, game design, visual arts with a major in game art, graphic design, Graphic Design, interior design, film & video production, and a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology.

About THQ Inc.
THQ Inc. is one of the world's leading independent developers and publishers of interactive entertainment software. Our diverse product portfolio caters to every segment of the expanding video game market and operates on every viable game system including Sony's PlayStation®, PlayStation® 2 and 3, and PSP™; Nintendo's GameCube®, Game Boy® Advance, Wii™ and DS™; Microsoft's Xbox® and Xbox 360™; and PCs. Headquartered in Agoura Hills, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located in the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Korea and Australia. THQ currently has more than 70 products in development across the action, racing, puzzle, wrestling, kids, action-adventure and platform game genres. Some of THQ's best-known licensed properties include Nickelodeon, Disney/Pixar's Cars, The Incredibles, World Wrestling Entertainment, Scooby-Doo, and original properties such as Full Spectrum WarriorTM and MX Unleashed. Learn more about THQ at www.THQ.com.

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