MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 9, 2004-- ValuSoft®, a division of THQ® Inc. (Nasdaq:THQI - News) and a leading global publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and productivity software, today announced the release of 18 Wheels of Steel(TM): Pedal to the Metal. This PC trucking simulation, which is the fifth release in ValuSoft's best-selling trucking series(a), is rated "E" for Everyone and will be available at retailers throughout North America for $19.99. Players are the boss and call the shots in 18 Wheels of Steel(TM): Pedal to the Metal. Gamers will start off as a trucker...and retire a tycoon as they get behind the wheel of 35 different big rig trucks, including 18 wheelers, flatbeds and tankers. They will earn the big bucks to buy their own truck, build their business and hire drivers to do the dirty work. Bidding on jobs, weighing the hazards and payoffs of each delivery, gamers will then hit the road to deliver their goods faster than the competition. Logging thousands of miles, from Mexico to Canada and sea to shining sea, with tons of cargo and thousands of dollars behind them, gamers will navigate real world conditions that stand between them and their deadline. Maneuvering around road hazards, accidents and severe weather, players will also have to navigate bustling city traffic, dodge speeding tickets, stop at weigh stations, refuel at truck stops, and avoid falling asleep at the wheel. Building a successful trucking business depends on receiving the maximum payout from each delivery. Overloaded or carelessly handled goods will slow delivery times and reduce payments. As players progress they will use their cash reserves to upgrade their truck, buy a new one and hire drivers to build their trucking empire. "ValuSoft is the number two racing publisher(a) in the country and we have a solid history of creating hit games in the category," stated Scott Zerby, Vice President of ValuSoft. "We've brought gamers the most realistic over-the-road environment ever, including busy airports, crowded sea ports and even metropolitan cities, complete with restaurants, laundromats and office buildings." To learn more about 18 Wheels of Steel: Pedal to the Metal go to www.valusoft.com. (a) Source: NPD Techworld About ValuSoft® ValuSoft, a division of THQ Inc., is a leading global publisher and distributor of consumer-priced software. Based in suburban Minneapolis, MN, ValuSoft markets a wide variety of interactive entertainment and productivity software to the mass-market audience. ValuSoft can be found on the World Wide Web at www.valusoft.com. About THQ® Inc. THQ Inc. (Nasdaq:THQI - News) is a leading, worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems including the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system from Sony Computer Entertainment, the Xbox® videogame system from Microsoft®, Nintendo® GameCube(TM) and Game Boy® Advance, personal computers as well as wireless devices. The THQ web site is located at www.thq.com. THQ, ValuSoft and their respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.