Last week THQ filed a lawsuit with the US District Court of Central California against Activision, claiming the upcoming SCORE International Baja 1000 box cover is too similar to its own BAJA title released last month. Both boxes show similar vehicles in almost identical positions, and although THQ contacted Activision to settle things out of court, they refused to make any changes, hence the lawsuit (thanks Patent Arcade).

Revealed earlier this month, THQ has picked up 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand in which you play as one of the world's biggest hip-hop stars in an all-out battle to protect 50 Cent's assets and to collect payment from a crooked overlord.

In 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand, featuring voice and likenesses from 50 Cent, G Unit's Lloyd Banks, Tony Yayo and DJ Whoo Kid, you play as one of the world's biggest hip-hop stars in an all-out battle to protect 50 Cent's assets and to collect payment from a crooked overlord. Dropped by Activision in the Vivendi merger, a listing on the OFLC indicates THQ has picked it up.

THQ announced a reorganization of the its product development management team as executive vice president of worldwide studios Jack Sorensen leaves and three key product development executives gets promoted from within.

THQ has formed a joint venture with China based ICE Entertainment to launch Dragonica, a free-to-play, micro-transaction-based casual MMO, in North America. Dragonica is a cartoon side-scrolling online game that mixes the elements of action and arcade.

THQ has opened a new office in Shanghai, China, from which it will pursue new development opportunities, expand publishing partnerships and spearhead the expansion of local partnerships to develop and publish both online and packaged games for distribution in China and around the world.

The Connecticut Superior Court has dismissed most of the WWE’s claims against THQ and THQ/JAKKS Pacific arising out of WWE's allegations that the videogame license between aforementioned parties was void based upon alleged bribery accusations.

THQ has had Games Workshop's Warhammer 40K license for quite a while and released a slew of RTS titles with the Dawn of War series, is currently developing Dawn of War II, as well as an MMO in that same universe. THQ Australia is currently recruiting a lead artist, a lead animator, environmental artist, senior designer, audio designer programmer and QA lead for a next-gen brutal, intimate melee combat game based on the IP.

THQ announced the games it will be showing at the Leipzig Games Convention (20-24 August, 2008) such de Blob (Wii), WALL-E (PS3, X360, Wii, PS2, PSP, NDS), Darksiders: Wrath of War (PS3, X360), WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 (PS3, X360, Wii, PS2, PSP, NDS), Red Faction: Guerrilla (PS3, X360), Saints Row 2 (PS3, X360), Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 2 (PC), and UFC 2009 Undisputed (PS3, X360).

Check out the following new screens & trailers from THQ's E3 2008 lineup:

• Age of Empires: Mythologies (NDS) - Screens & Trailer
• All Star Cheer Squad (NDS/Wii) - Screens & Trailer
• Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader: Make the Grade (NDS/Wii/PS2/PC) - Screens
• Baja: Edge of Control (PS3/X360) - Screens
• Darksiders: Wrath of War (PS3/X360) - Screens & Trailer
• Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon [PS3/X360] - E3 2008 Trailer
• Lock's Quest (NDS) - Screens & Trailer
• Red Faction: Guerrilla (ALL) - Screens & Trailer
• Saints Row 2 (PS3/X360/PC) - Screens & Trailer
• UFC 2009 Undisputed (PS3/X360) - Screens
• Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise (NDS) - Screens & Trailer
• Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II' - Screens & Trailer
• WWE Legends of WrestleMania (PS3/X360) - Screens
• WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 (ALL) - Screens & Trailer

GameTap has signed a new deal with THQ to bring titles such as Company of Heroes, WH 40K, Red Faction, Supreme Commander, Titan Quest, Saints Row 2, PuzzleQuest and S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl to its free play ad-supported service.

Xsens Technologies announced that Sony's Guerrilla, known for Killzone, and THQ's Big Huge Games have signed on to use its camera-less motion capture solution Moven.

38 Studios announced the appointment of Thom Ang as Director of Art to oversee the management and direction of all aspects of 38 Studios artistic development, including the MMOG codenamed Copernicus, and work closely with Todd McFarlane and R. A. Salvatore

Legend: Hand of God is an action RPG set in a fantasy world where you guide your hero in his quest against evil, fighting your way through action filled battles.

THQ and Marvel Entertainment announced that they have entered into an exclusive multi-year licensing agreement to create video games based on the burgeoning, kid-friendly Marvel Super Hero Squad franchise.

THQ announced its lineup of games based on Nickelodeon properties, including the debut of The Naked Brothers Band: The Video Game, based on the TV show that follows the lives of a kids’ rock band fronted by real-life brothers Nat and Alex Wolff. Also included are Drawn to Life: SpongeBob SquarePants Edition, and other titles based on TV shows such as Tak and the Power of Juju, Avatar: The Last Airbender and Back At The Barnyard.

Check out the following new screens and trailers from THQ's Gamers Day 2008 lineup:

• 'Baja' (PS3/X360) - 4 New Screens & Trailer
• 'Big Beach Sports' (Wii) - 12 New Screens & Trailer
• 'Construction Combat: Lock's Quest' (NDS) - Screens
• 'Battle of the Bands' (Wii) - 8 New Screens & Trailer
• 'Darksiders: Wrath of War' (PS3/X360) - 18 New Screens & Trailer
• 'de Blob' (NDS/Wii) - 8 New Screens & Trailer
• 'Deadly Creatures' (Wii) - 12 New Screens
• 'Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon' (PS3/X360) - 8 New Screens & Trailer
• 'Red Faction: Guerrilla' (ALL) - 9 New Screens
• 'Saints Row 2' (PS3/X360) - 10 New Screens & Trailer
• 'WALL-E' (ALL) - 27 New Screens
• 'WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009' (ALL) - 20 New Screens & Trailer

Later today we will attend a press event where THQ'll show off its fiscal 2009 lineup, with new franchise installments like Saints Row 2, Red Faction: Guerrilla and WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009, new original games such as de Blob, Deadly Creatures and Darksiders: Wrath of War, and new social and party games for the Wii, including Battle of the Bands and Big Beach Sports.

THQ announced the acquisition of casual and online games business Elephant Entertainment, and in conjunction also announced an exclusive, worldwide retail publishing agreement with cross-platform casual games company Oberon Media

THQ and JAKKS Pacific are in the process of arbitrating the royalty rate to be paid by THQ to JAKKS Pacific for WWE video game sales, and THQ announced that it has prevailed in a proceeding filed by JAKKS Pacific before the California Court of Appeals to disqualify potential arbitrators, who would determine the royalty rate effective as of July 1, 2006.

THQ Creative Director Michael Fitch puts the blame for the closure of Titan Quest developer Iron Lore, and the demise of PC gaming, on several factors: hardware compatibility and software conflicts making PC gaming a nightmare, but most of all "Titan Quest did okay. We didn't lose money on it. But if even a tiny fraction of the people who pirated the game (upwards of 80%) had actually spent some god-damn money for their 40+ hours of entertainment, things could have been very different today."

THQ announced that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission has notified THQ that its investigation of the company’s stock option grant practices has been completed and that SEC does not intend to recommend any action against THQ.

THQ and Blue Fang Games, known for the Zoo Tycoon series, announced that they have entered into a development agreement for a brand new videogame property for Wii, DS and PC, scheduled for release in fiscal 2010.

THQ announced results for fiscal Q3 2008, with net sales of $509.6 million, compared to last year's $475.7 million, driven by Cars: Mater-National, MX vs. ATV Untamed and SmackDown vs. Raw 2008. In the subsequent investors conference call, THQ CEO Brian Farrell revealed that Red Faction III is being developed by Volition for PS3, X360 and PC. Scheduled for fiscal 2009 (Apr. 2008 - Mar. 2009), RF3 will focus on interactive environments and destruction. First details on THQ's UFC-licensed title are expected during a pay-per-view event on Memorial Day weekend.

THQ has increased its Q3 financial guidance due to better than expected sales of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 and MX vs. ATV Untamed. This rosy outlook comes at a price, as THQ officially cancelled Frontlines: Fuel of War for the PS3, which was hinted in earlier reports. Destroy All Humans!: Big Willy Unleashed for the PS2 has also been axed (no word on the PSP and Wii versions), and THQ has decided to not continue with its Juiced and Stuntman IPs. THQ also closed down its Concrete Games studio, which was working on an unannounced title.