THQ has Vince McMahon’s number on speed dial

THQ has a cozy relationship with the WWE. It has exclusive rights to produce licensed WWE games for the next eight years. Earlier this week THQ announced it would be bringing a new WWE franchise to the US and Europe that will play more like WWE All Stars, and less like Smackdown! vs. Raw. But in order to produce the best product possible, THQ needs to have a relationship with the big man himself. WWE chairman Vince McMahon.

THQ’s marketing director in the UK Jon Rooke spoke about the company’s new relationship with Vince McMahon. Whenever THQ had an issue it wanted sorted out In the past, it would have to communicate through Jakks Pacific, who would then relay that information to the WWE. This lack of direct communication resulted in matters that weren’t completely resolved. Rooke feels the games suffered due to these problems.

But now THQ can go to McMahon whenever it wants.

“We now have what I call a ‘hotline to Vince,” Rooke said. “I’d liken it to having a relationship with your girlfriend through her mother. It’s not going to be the best relationship in the world and you’re not going to get everything you want from it.”

Something is better than nothing I suppose. Vince’s direct involvement could provide additional cross promotions between WWE games and televised WWE programming. THQ would like to set up a situation in which WWE wrestlers would compete on TV to be on the cover of Smackdown! vs Raw.

We’re seeing this new kind of promotion more and more from THQ. Red Faction Armageddon will be preceded by a downloadable game and a movie on Syfy. Saint’s Row 3 will also be getting a XBLA and 3DS game that is being used to promote the larger retail game. This is the kind of in-your-face marketing I can get behind.

Read [MCV]