THQ (NSDQ: THQI), the gaming company, has bought out online and casual games firm Elephant Entertainment, for an undisclosed amount. EE is based in Minneapolis, MN, and has games such as “Cake Mania”, “Flour Power” and others. The company plans to launch more than 20 new games this year under Elephant’s brand name. This new acquisition will sit under ValuSoft, THQ’snew-ish casual games division.

THQ also announced an exclusive worldwide deal with NYC-based games firm Oberon Media, with Elephant in the middle, under which THQ plans to bring Oberon’s content, including the “Dream Day” online franchise, to major gaming platforms. In addition, Oberon is scheduled to release best selling author James Patterson’s “Women’s Murder Club: Death in Scarlet” online this May, which Elephant plans to distribute at retail this fall. More in release here.

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