WWE SD! Vs. RAW '08, Hulk Hogan Casino Game, WrestleMania, & More

THQ issued a press release today touting the sales success of last year's "SmackDown vs. RAW 2008" release. This year's version of the game ("SvR 2009") hits stores on November 9th. Here's the press release: WWE(R) SmackDown(R) Vs. Raw(R) 2008 Reaches "Platinum Hits" Sales Milestone for the Xbox 360(R) Video Game and Entertainment System from Microsoft AGOURA HILLS, Calif., Oct 23, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) — THQ Inc. (NASDAQ:THQI) and JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ:JAKK) today announced that WWE(R) SmackDown(R) vs. Raw(R) 2008 has achieved "Platinum Hits" status for the Xbox 360(R) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft. The game originally launched in November 2007 and is now available for the suggested retail price of $19.99. "Attaining 'Platinum Hits' for the Xbox 360 demonstrates the long-standing dedication of our fans to this tremendous franchise," said Scott Guthrie, executive vice president, publishing, THQ. "This accolade comes at an opportune time as we march toward the much-anticipated North American release of WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 across all major gaming platforms, including mobile devices, on November 9." "We are delighted the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw videogame franchise has reached 'Platinum Hits' status for its second consecutive year on Xbox 360," said Nelo Lucich, senior vice president of interactive, JAKKS Pacific. "WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 embodies a host of fan favorite features, including Superstar Fighting Styles and a new Struggle Submission System, which further define the virtual WWE experience."

ID Interactive, LLC sent along the following press release that talks about an upcoming Hulkamania game that will be unveiled in less than a month in Las Vegas. The press release gives some background about the game, a nonprofit organization involved, and more. LAS VEGAS, NV. On Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 12 noon, Hulk Hogan will be honored by National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. in conjunction with the Global Gaming Expo 2008 in Las Vegas, NV. He will receive the "Humanitarian Award" for his work on behalf of the "Dreamseekers" Foundation. Working with the Spirit of Sovereignty Foundation at the National Indian Gaming Association, Hulk and Dreamseekers have committed to building the non-profit organization in partnership with Indian Country to provide needed assistance to Native America youth and their families. Hulk Hogan, one of the most successful entertainment personalities and Executive Producer/host of the "Celebrity Championship Wrestling" series on CMT, will participate in the foundation's activities by providing a familiar public face and forwarding the organization's goal: providing greater opportunities for youth in Indian Country. Hulk Hogan has made it a priority to start this program in areas of Indian Country with the most need. Once the project is implemented, the Dreamseekers Foundation hopes to provide a significant amount per annum to tribal nations that face adversities such as poverty, violence and lack of various resources. "We're specifically focusing on efforts to improve healthcare and education for Native youth and their families around the country, as well as give them access to as many other critical opportunities as possible," said Ernie Stevens Jr., co-founder of the foundation. The Hulkamania Experience TM, a multilevel progressive video-slot series based on the adventures of the iconic superstar, is expected to debut at the 2008 Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas and roll out nationally during the next several months. As a part of the foundation's fundraising initiative, a portion of the proceeds from The Hulkamania Experiencetm will go towards the various health and education initiatives yet to be determined by the foundation. The game, developed in conjunction with Rainmaker Gaming Technology and ID Interactive, LLC, represents a fundamentally new approach towards community involvement in Indian Country. Hulk's efforts alongside that of the National Indian Gaming Association are a first of their kind, and it all spawned from an initial conversation between Ernie Stevens, Jr. and Hogan. "Hulk simply asked what he could do to help Indian Country, and we both agreed that it all starts with our children," Stevens said. "American Indian children are more likely to live in poverty than any other racial or ethnic group in this country", Hogan noted, citing recent U.S. Census Bureau data. "It's time to change that, and I'm proud to be associated with that effort," said Hulk Hogan. "This is an exciting opportunity to use the Hulk Hogan brand in a fulfilling way that makes a difference in people's lives at the local level," says Eric Bischoff of Bischoff Hervey Entertainment, Hogan's partners in the project. Last year Hogan was a recipient of a very high honor on behalf of the tribal leaders and the traditional community of South Dakota for his help in Indian Country while attending the Lakota Nation Invitational in Rapid City, SD. It was one of very few times in history that someone from outside the community has received such a prestigious honor. Hulk continues to feel the energy of that ceremony that took place ten months ago and looks forward to doing so much more.

WWE issued the following press release on their WrestleMania Reading Challenge I reported on last week: YALSA, WWE? kick off WrestleMania? Reading Challenge October 22, 2008 CHICAGO ? The national WrestleMania Reading Challenge, sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), and World Wrestling Entertainment? (WWE), with support from Mattel, had its formal launch last week as part of national Teen Read Week. More than 1,800 librarians across the U.S. registered for the fourth annual reading challenge, which this year expands to include teens and tweens in grades 5?12. Teen Read Week (Oct. 12-19), encouraged participants to read, and the WrestleMania Reading Challenge has the goal of extending the habit of reading from Teen Read Week into the rest of the academic year. Students who participate in the WrestleMania Reading Challenge are encouraged to read one item a week ? a magazine, a book, or other materials ? and keep a reading log continuing through Jan. 12, 2009. (Students can enroll anytime during the contest period as long as they complete the reading requirements and reading log prior to Jan. 12.) Students who turn in their completed reading logs verifying they have read at least 10 items will receive a WWE miniposter. Students can then enter a bookmark contest. Each participating library chooses a winner for each age group (grades 5?6, 7?8 and 9?12). Bookmark winners on the local level will win a DVD from WWE. Libraries nationwide can register for this program and utilize it as a tool for encouraging local students to read by contacting YALSA. Fifteen finalists (three in each grade category from five different regions) will win airfare, hotel and tickets to WrestleMania XXV in Houston for themselves and a parent or guardian, while their sponsoring library wins $2,000. Those finalists in grades 7?12 will have a chance to compete in the WrestleMania Reading Challenge National Finals in Houston, Texas. The winner of the finals from grades 7-8 and of the finals from grades 9-12 will each be crowned WrestleMania Reading Challenge Champion and win ringside seats at WrestleMania XXV. Geof Rochester, WWE's Executive Vice President, Marketing, said that the WrestleMania Reading Challenge ties into a new WWE kids outreach initiative that also included the 2008 launch of WWE Kids magazine and WWEKids.com website. "WWE is always looking for ways to use the power of its brand to encourage young people to do something positive in their lives," said Geof Rochester, WWE's Executive Vice President, Marketing. "The WrestleMania Reading Challenge continues to grow in size and scope because it is proving to be a successful way to get more teens to make reading a habit." "We are pleased to be able to support literacy amongst young adults across the country," said Deidre Lind, Executive Director, Mattel Philanthropy Programs and Mattel Children's Foundation. "Working together with YALSA, the ALA and WWE, we look forward to making a meaningful difference, one youth at a time, through the WrestleMania Reading Challenge." For more than 50 years, YALSA has been the world leader in selecting books, videos, and audio books for teens. For more information about YALSA or for lists of recommended reading, viewing and listening, go to www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists, or contact the YALSA office by phone, 800-545-2433, ext. 4390; or e-mail: yalsa@ala.org. Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on its global activities, go to https://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.