Agoura-Based Company Unveils New SpongeBob Video Game

Just in time for the summer break, everyone’s favorite yellow sponge recently debuted via another wet and wacky video game adventure.

Dubbed SpongeBob SquigglePants, the new 3-D adventure promises fans more under-the-sea fun and some face-to-face time with their favorite characters from Patrick Star to Patchy the Pirate.

Innovative local company

The brand-new system was recently released by THQ Inc., an Agoura Hills-based company.

It comes a month after the game was unveiled on the uDraw GameTablet for Wii, a unique and imaginative game system, which the company also developed and released in 2010.

A leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software, THQ also develops products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices.

Originally incorporated in New York under the name Trinity Acquisition Corporation, the company changed its name after a merger with California-based THQ Inc. in 1991.

THQ stands for Toy Head Quarters, which was the company’s early focus. Since 1994, the company has shifted its focus to the development and publishing of video games, according to Carlos Aguilar, an associate producer at THQ.

The wacky world of Bikini Bottom

“There are a ton of things to look out for as this game is easy to pick up and play,” said Aguilar.

The innovative game is set in the bubbly world of Bikini Bottom. Patchy the Pirate is featured as a live-action host, adding a special touch to the game, according to Aguilar.

The president of the SpongeBob SquarePants fan club can be seen interacting with players for some under-the-sea action as they tackle over 100 nanogames. “Some are tough but if you keep at it, you’ll be able to beat them all,” said Aguilar.

Aguilar described the vibrant 3-D display of the much-anticipated game that targets the 6 to 12-year-old market. The unique art styles across seven worlds include “B-Movie,” inspired by drive-in movies and “Simply Bob,” a stylized interpretation of under-the-sea life.

“The art is amazing and most of it has not been seen before the video game came out–not even by those who are fans of the show,” he said.

Exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS handheld system, SpongeBob SquigglePants retails for $39.99 at popular national retail chains, discount store chains and specialty retailers.

Beyond the sea

Typically, the creative process for games such as SpongeBob SquigglePants take anywhere from 12 to 18 months, according to Aguilar.

“There’s the development studio, publisher and licensor, who all collaborate to come up with best storyline while staying true to the brand,” he said.

For 2011, THQ reported revenues of $665 million, “primarily driven by the success of Homefront–a futuristic game that's set in 2027 and depicts the invasion and occupation of America–according to president and CEO Brian Farrell, in a recent press release. To date, THQ has already shipped 2.6 million units of the popular game.

Farrel pronounced this as a “solid start for the new franchise, kicking off the strongest pipeline of AAA core games in the company’s history.”

For the upcoming holiday season, THQ plans to bring exclusively designed uDraw GameTablets to Microsoft Xbox 360 and Sony PS3 platforms.

THQ has an extensive range of fighting, racing and original games for all ages. Its core titles include WWE® SmackDown® vs. Raw®; UFC® 2009 Undisputed™, MX vs. ATV™, Company of Heroes®, Red Faction®, Saints Row® and Warhammer® 40,000™: Dawn of War®, Marvel® Super Hero Squad™, de Blob®, DisneyoPixar's Cars and Up, and Nickelodeon's SpongeBob SquarePants™.