Video and PC game developer/publisher THQ Inc. released its financial report for the fourth quarter and year 1997.

　　The company reported net sales for the fourth quarter of 1997 of US$48.9 million, a 139 percent increase over the $20.5 million reported for the fourth quarter of 1996. Net income for the quarter was $6.2 million, a 512 percent increase over the $1.01 million reported for the corresponding quarter of 1996.

　　For the whole of 1997, net sales were $89.4 million, a 78 percent increase over the $50.2 million reported for fiscal 1996, THQ said. Net income for the year was $9.34 million vs. $1.9 million for fiscal 1996.

　　Sales of products based on the company's WCW World Championship Wrestling license accounted for 39 percent of THQ's 1997 revenues. THQ's license agreement with WCW runs through 1999. The two entities are currently considering an extension of that agreement. The WCW is also talking with other interested parties, though.

　　THQ in the last quarter of 1997 released WCW vs. NWO: World Tour for the Nintendo 64, Pax Imperia: Eminent Domain for the PC, Ghost in the Shell for the Sony PlayStation, Vs. for the Sony PlayStation, Madden NFL 98 for the Super Nintendo, NHL 98 for the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo, NBA Live 98 for the Sega Genesis, and The Lost World for the Nintendo Game Boy.

　　The company said it released 34 new games in 1997, 12 of which were released in the fourth quarter. In 1996, THQ released 33 new games, 12 of them in the fourth quarter.