THQ Loses UFC License, Lays Off Employees Of WWE Developer THQ

THQ announced the loss of their UFC license yesterday, and revealed that they will be laying off employees of THQ San Diego, which has developed many of their WWE games.

“THQ confirms that today’s announcement regarding the UFC license transition will affect the company’s San Diego studio,” Angela Emery, THQ VP of Communication, told GamesBeat. “THQ is working closely with those relevant staff to either find possible employment within the company, or potentially with EA.”

UFC President Dana White announced securing a multi-year deal with EA to make UFC games yesterday.

“Over the last three years, THQ has delivered best-in-class, all-encompassing experiences to MMA fans, sports enthusiasts and fighting gamers around the globe with its UFC Undisputed series,” White stated in a press release. “We want to thank them for their stewardship of our brand.

“We look forward to joining forces with EA to leverage their sports platform, and expand our brand in the video game space. There’s no one better at creating authentic sports videogames than EA Sports, and we’re excited to have a partner who shares our vision of deep, connected and multi-platform global game experiences.”