Reacting to the company's revenue forecasts being lowered for the fiscal year, THQ CEO Brian Farrell has announced that the studio will be taking steps to address the situation. THQ's estimates for their fiscal year was recently lowered due to the lack of performance of their games.

Farrell explains that the company will be taking steps to ensure that the under-performance of Stuntman: Ignition (PS2, PS3, 360) and Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights (PS3, PS2, PSP, Xbox 360, PC, DS) won't be repeated, saying that the incident is "not acceptable."

Farrell also goes on to explain the status of some of their games. The Xbox 360 and PC versions of Frontlines: Fuel of War are expected to ship on time, but the PlayStation 3 version will be delayed due to problems with the Unreal Engine. As for their game de Blob, Farrell explains that the delay was to give the game the "final level of polish" to make it "look more like a Nintendo-level Wii product."

Farrell also commented on the status of Saints Row 2 (PS3, Xbox 360), explaining that the departure of some of their lead design members (who formed the Blazing Lizard studio) will not affect the game. He states that "we haven't lost any key development talent. We have a tremendous studio there with a lot of talent."

Even though the target platform list for Blazing Lizard's new downloadable game is still vague, Pirates vs Ninjas Dodgeball is fast becoming a need-to-try game in this blogger's book.

The indie game developer created by a trio from THQ's Volition studios (Red Faction series, Saints Row, Descent: FreeSpace series) have released yet another set of screenshots, because they probably know we just can't get enough.

Don't hurt yourself trying to look close enough though, because we already checked; Blazing Lizard hasn't plastered any hints on the three additional character types. So all you'll see here are Samurais and Cutlasses, until Chuck Norris rolls his dice with a combat knife. Well, not that he would need one.

Now only if Blazing Lizards would get to making a successor to the Descent: FreeSpace series...

   

 

Game developer Blazing Lizard has sent out a press wire earlier for an upcoming game series they've got planned, titled Pirates Versus Ninjas. Yes, dear readers, you heard that right - the epic net meme debating two of the greatest fighters in history (evar!) will soon be making its way to your consoles.

The first game in the series is Pirates versus Ninjas Dodgeball, and will reportedly allow up to eight players to choose one of three characters: Pirates, Ninjas, and three yet-to-be announced classes.

Each character is expected to carry their own special abilities and moves, with the game to include six free-roaming stages. Three game modes have been announced so far, including Exhibition, Story (wait, there's a story to this?), and Challenge mode, with support for 4 players Local / 8 players Online, and 4-player Co-op modes.

"This is the ultimate in rivalries, and we aim to have them settle it with all out balls to the wall action," said Blazing Lizard Studio Director Chris Stockman regarding the announcement. Pirates versus Ninjas: Dodgeball is expected to land during the first quarter of 2008 as a downloadable, although Blazing Lizard has yet to say which console will be receiving it.

And while the devs have yet to say what other three characters are expected appear, we'd love to hear from you guys - what other classes do you think will be making an appearance? This writer's personal candidates include cowboys, samurai, zombies, cyborgs, Chuck Norris, and Ben Stiller. Make sure to check out the accompanying screenshots we've also picked up while you're here. Enjoy!