Earlier today, a source close to THQ confirmed to N-Europe that the game studio is actually shutting down. Apparently, the staff has already been informed just today of THQ's "imminent closure."

*Update* THQ says the cake is a lie and they're still alive.

If you are a big fan of the Team17's Worms franchise and want to bring these belligerent creatures with you, you will be glad to know that THQ Wireless is bringing them to your mobile phones this coming June. The particular iteration it will port is the same one just recently released for the Nintendo Wii. More details await after the jump!

For those UK mobile phone gamers who are craving for a new title, you will be glad to know that THQ Wireless is finally bringing the award-winning game Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords to your market.

For those not familiar with this game, several of its worth mentioning features were discussed in the full article. Just click the "read more" link below to get there.

THQ Wireless Inc. has recently renewed and expanded its global licensing agreement with Lucasfilm Ltd. in order to produce mobile media products based on the Star Wars and Indiana Jones movie franchises.

THQ Wireless Inc. admitted that the Star Wars lineup of games is currently one of the company's strongest gaming franchises. More on this story after the jump!

Think that Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (Sony PlayStation 3, Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation Portable, Microsoft Xbox 360 and Nintendo DS) already covered every gaming platform? Think again. The latest Star Wars title is now confirmed for the Nokia N-Gage, pumped up with cool features such as downloadable content and score uploads. Hit the full article for more details!

THQ Wireless has announced that it is launching a technology that can break new ground in how developers make games for mobile platforms, especially in the aspect of controls where handsets need a lot of help.

The Technology is called Cell Weaver and it was developed by mobile phone software firm Universomo. THQ will demonstrate the capabilities of the engine in upcoming games for the platform starting this year.

"Universomo’s Cell Weaver game technology is a versatile application for game design enabling the most sophisticated game design solutions," says THQ Wireless President Adam Comiskey. "Cell Weaver will provide the mobile game player with fast, simplistic functionality for lightning speed, fun gameplay," he adds.

THQ Wireless claims that the engine is "perfect for combat games from battles and duels to complex martial arts moves where the player has to defend and strike back by doing counter moves."

"Other gameplay uses include a hero’s superpowers or in role-playing games when casting spells. Cell Weaver can also be applied to music, dance or rhythm based games," adds the company in a written release.

After venturing to the handheld business with the PSP, it's no surprise that Sony would try to expand its market. According to what PlayStation Universe found in Mobile Entertainment magazine, SCEA stated that they want to be in the mobile gaming scene.

There's a God of War title coming to mobile phones, but Sony taking mobiles seriously is an entirely different matter. Word from the magazine also reveals that This is Football, The Getaway, and Primal could find their way to the mini-sized screens.

Apparently, there are plans for SingStar and EyeToy games too. While still unconfirmed, these could be pretty fun if ported well.

THQ Wireless executive Balbir Blugan will be spearheading Sony's attempt to get their games into mobiles. SCEA may also team up with Codemasters, Konami, and Sega to get the ball rolling before they establish their business on their own.

It's too early to decide, but mobile gaming doesn't exactly have a stellar history. Let's just hope Sony knows what they're doing.

THQ announced that it has acquired Finland-based mobile game development studio Universomo Ltd. THQ's mobile offerings will be bolstered by Universomo's proprietary game development environment and automated porting solution which supports all major mobile platforms, a key component in THQ's growth strategy.

Kelly Flock, THQ's executive vice president of worldwide publishing, said that Universomo's development skills and porting solution will enable new technology efficiencies for THQ Wireless, giving the company the "scalability to focus on building ... cornerstone brands and new, owned properties across Europe, Asia and North America."

"THQ's global publishing footprint and leading brand portfolio made them a natural fit for Universomo," said Universomo's marketing director Markku Hakkala. "The easy integration of Universomo's development and technology means that we are on track to take full advantage of continued market growth opportunities worldwide."

Nokia has been busy at the Game Developers Conference. They awarded the winners of the SingTel Multiplayer Game Quest 2006.

The contest gave out US$ 5,000 each in cash prizes to the following winners: G-mode from Japan with Chess Game in the cross-platform category, Mauj from India with Street Golf for the multiplayer gaming- male category, and Taito from Japan with Puzzle Bobble for the multiplayer gaming- female category. These games will now be sold by SingTel.

The mobile giant also launched SNAP Mobile Compliance Testing Program, a two-part testing program that ensures quality and functionality of the connected features in the mobile games that play on the Nokia platform. The two parts of the testing program include having developers test their games with a provided testing tool, and having the games tested in SNAP Mobile-authorized testing houses.

Nokia also announced its new games and new publishers at the GDC. Some of the new game titles are Gameloft’s Asphalt 3, Street Rules, Brothers In Arms, Hell’s Highway, Brain Challenge, Midnight Pool and EA Mobile’s FIFA 2008. New publishers include Glu Mobile, Indiagames and THQ Wireless. Says Indiagames, they believe that Nokia will give them a wider global audience.

In line with their campaign to promote N-Gage as the ultimate mobile gaming device, Nokia just announced the list of new mobile games that'll be made available on the handheld system.

We already told you that Glu Mobile will be jumping on the N-Gage bandwagon, and now news have reached our ears that major mobile game publishers, THQ Wireless and Gameloft, will also be joining in on the fun as they bring loads of games to Nokia's device.

Here's a partial list of the new games you can look forward to seeing on the N-Gage:

• Asphalt 3 - Gameloft
• Street Rules - Gameloft
• Brothers in Arms - Gameloft
• Hell's Highway - Gameloft
• Brain Challenge - Gameloft
• Midnight Pool - Gameloft
• FIFA 2008 - EA
  

In addition to all this, Nokia also announced at the GDC the software development tools to be used for the system as well as SNAP Mobile's JavaTM testing program. Gregg Sauter, Director of Games Publishing for Nokia, says,

We are reinforcing our commitment to this industry with two significant initiatives that will help the mobile games industry evolve. Our N-Gage platform will deliver a global games platform that leverages the performance of the tens of millions of S60 converged devices that we are shipping each year. Likewise, our support for Java development continues to evolve with more tools for developers supporting SNAP Mobile.

The first game to be released for the N-Gage by Glu will be World Series of Poker Texas Hold'Em, with more to follow in the months to come. No word yet on when the mentioned games will be released so stay tuned for more updates.