Double Fine interested in THQ games, assets

Independent studio Double Fine, renowned for its Double Fine Adventure Kickstarter success and games like Double Fine Happy Action Theater and Stacking, may be one of the potential buyers of THQ's intellectual property when the bankrupt company's assets go up for auction Jan. 22, according to Distressed Debt Investing.

Double Fine reportedly asked for a copy of THQ's bankruptcy filing. The studio joins a list of at least five publishers that previously expressed interest in buying THQ properties, including Electronic Arts and Warner Bros. Interactive, which purchased many of the studios and brands of Midway Games when that publisher filed for bankruptcy in 2009.

THQ's intellectual property will be auctioned off on a "title-by-title" basis Jan. 22, and the auction is scheduled to close Jan. 24. The company was notified by NASDAQ in late December that it would be delisted from the stock exchange; that will go into effect Jan. 22, according to a note released today by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.