While no one is claiming that THQ has the deepest pockets in the publishing arena these days, for a company that was on the brink the news that the company is launching its own Partner Program is perhaps a bit surprising. Following the lead of their competitors such as Electronic Arts and Activision (while they don’t have an actual program just yet, they just did a publishing only deal with Bungie), the company will be expanding their reach by partnering with developers who own their own IP; THQ will handle just the publishing. If done right, this could be a surprise revenue generator for the company.

While many of the bigger studios with a title to shop for a publisher might select EA, THQ could be a good choice to lesser known titles or smaller developers. THQ doesn’t have the deep pockets to bid for the top title deals, but in the end that might be a good thing, as it will create a niche for developers and gives them another option.

It seems that many of the larger studios are seeking independence and the ability to control their own destiny; and going with a Partner Program deal allows more of this. Sources that we spoke with would not yet call it the wave of the future, but for larger studios that can finance the majority of their own titles and own their own IP this move is a win for them. Developers will definitely be attracted to being able to create without having to deal with the publishers constantly wanting input.