Let’s begin with the facts here, straight from an official THQ press release:

“THQ has not cancelled its 2014 line-up, and has not made any decisions regarding the planned MMO.”

Why would THQ feel the need to send out such a statement? What is “the planned MMO?”

A quick-fire rumour spread across the ‘net this weekend that led many to believe that THQ had wiped its 2014 slate of games completely clean and begun preparations to ready itself for a sale to another corporation. The rumour began when game industry ‘insider’ and veteran Kevin Dent carelessly tweeted the following:

“Apparently, The Game Workshops MMO has been cancelled by THQ”

Dent also speculated with a fellow Twitter user that all of THQ’s 2014 line-up had been cancelled in order to “preserve cash.”

So in response to the rampant rumours, THQ sent out a release to quash the idea that any of its planned 2014 titles (releasing in either the financial or calendar year) had been cancelled outright, but speculation persists surrounding the future (or non-future) of the planned massively multiplayer online game, Warhammer 40K: Dark Millenium, which could be sold off to another publisher.

Here’s the full statement from THQ regarding the rumours:

“THQ has not cancelled its 2014 line-up, and has not made any decisions regarding the planned MMO. As part of the ongoing review of our business, we have made decisions to ensure that the company is strategically addressing the most attractive markets.

“As we have previously announced, we have dramatically reduced our commitment to the kids’ boxed games sector which leads to a significantly more focused release schedule moving forward. Our slate for calendar 2012 and beyond is focused on high-quality core games and continues to build our digital platform and business. We are excited for our pipeline of original and high-quality content along with our relationships with some of the best talent in the industry.

“Additionally, we are thrilled with the great performance of Saints Row: The Third, which on a like for like period in North America has tripled in sell-through from Saints Row 2. In addition, WWE ’12’s worldwide sell-through sales are up almost 40% year-over-year for the same sales period with fewer platforms.

“According to NPD, for the month of December and the 2011 year, THQ was the #5 publisher overall, #4 third party, with reported sell through growing over 18% in a market that was down almost 6%. And coming up next, we have two great titles for the first half of the year including UFC Undisputed 3 and Darksiders 2.”

We hope to receive an official statement on the future of the Warhammer MMO soon.