Conan, Stuntman, MX vs. ATV dated

When the release dates of anticipated games change, it's usually not for the sooner. However, in a conference call with investors today following its first-quarter earnings report, THQ narrowed down the release windows for a number of its projects, including two that are expected to beat their originally announced launch dates.

While Conan for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 was originally set for an early 2008 release, the literary barbarian is not about to miss the retail bloodbath that will be this holiday season. Caring not about the opposition of Grand Theft Auto IV or Halo 3, the Cimmerian will enter the fray in October, THQ CEO Brian Farrell confirmed.

MX vs. ATV Untamed is similarly speeding its way onto store shelves; Farrell pegged the next installment in the off-road racing series as a December release. At last month's E3 Media and Business Summit, the game had been given a January 2008 release date. Farrell also said that the Wii version of the game would include support for Nintendo's upcoming steering-wheel peripheral, set to be introduced with Mario Kart Wii.

Finally, Farrell nailed down an exact release date for Stuntman Ignition on the Xbox 360, PS3, and PlayStation 2. The publisher's first try at the series since acquiring the property from Atari last year will drop August 28.