Get ready to embrace your inner musician 13 November when Wii Music™ hits stores.

Wii Sports™ introduced new players to the world of video games, Wii Fit™ got even more people interested in fun and fitness, and now the latest product from Wii™, Wii Music, allows you to become a musician, jam in a band, play a realistic drum kit, record your own take on a variety of tracks and send tracks to your friends via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

With more than 60 instruments from around the world, and more than 50 songs, no matter what your musical or gaming experience, Wii Music has something for everyone. Simply select the instruments you would like to play, get your family and friends involved, or play on your own. Use your Wii Remote™ and Nunchuk™ as though you were playing real instruments, and feel the freedom as you create your own tracks or follow the tracks as they were meant to be played.

Change the beat of your favourite songs; Wham’s ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go Go’ in Reggae? Or ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ in rock? The choice is yours, and you can also turn the tempo up or down to suit your musical style.

Don’t like how you played? Simply go back and re-record your part, keep a video of your track and use your own Mii character to personalise your song. Send your tracks to your friends via Nintendo Wi-Fi connection – they can even play an instrument on your track and send it back!

Take a Wii Music tutorial to learn about various instruments and how to perfect your musical skills, or try one of the musical mini games, conduct an orchestra, or try the Pitch Perfect music quiz, the choices are endless.

Wii Music also offers a realistic drum kit, when used with the Wii Balance Board™ from your copy of Wii Fit. You can actually mimic playing a drum kit, simply by placing the Wii Balance Board on the floor as foot pedals, and by using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk as drumsticks. Almost every aspect of a drum kit can be simulated including bass drum, cymbals, snare and hi-hats! Included is 15 interactive drumming lessons, so if you ever wanted to play the drums, now is the chance.

Wii Music offers a fun interactive musical experience for everyone – no matter what their musical abilities or gaming experience.

Wii music retails for $99.95 and is available at all major retailers 13 November.

Sydney, Australia – October 30, 2008 – Mice and keyboards are set to join the fray on the Pacific and European fronts today, as Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) and developer Treyarch announced the launch of the multiplayer beta for Call of Duty: World at War for Games for Windows®. Call of Duty® fans that register to become members at www.callofduty.com are also eligible to receive a token; however, these tokens are limited in supply, so register today.  For more information about this beta or the one currently being played on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the opportunity to secure a beta token or key, fans can also visit www.callofduty.com/beta. 

The Call of Duty: World at War multiplayer betas will provide players with an opportunity to play up to Level 40 as U.S. Marines, German Wehrmacht, Japanese Imperial Army and Russian Red Army factions in a variety of game types (Team Death Match, Free-For-All, Capture the Flag and War), across three different maps: 

§         Castle: The Imperial Japanese Army faces off against the Marine Raiders in a daytime battle, located on the grounds of an ancient, Japanese castle.

§         Makin: The U.S. Marine Raiders square off against the Imperial Japanese Army in a nighttime fight, set in an outpost on the Makin Atoll in the Pacific.

§         Roundhouse: The Wehrmact will fight the Red Army to the bitter end in a daytime struggle that features tank and infantry combat, set in a desolate, war-torn European train depot.

The Games for Windows beta will last for a few weeks; however, the full battle will begin on November 12, 2008 when Call of Duty: World at War is released to retailers nationwide.

Call of Duty: World at War is in development for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, Games for Windows®, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, Nintendo® Wii™ and Nintendo DS. The title has been rated MA 15+ (Strong violence and coarse language) by the Classification Board. The Nintendo DS version has been rated PG (Mild Violence) by the Classification Board.

For more information and exclusive updates about Call of Duty: World at War, visit www.callofduty.com.

About Activision Publishing, Inc.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products. 

Activision maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, Japan and South Korea.  More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activision.com.

Thursday 30th October 2008 –SEGA® of Europe Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced a worldwide partnership with High Voltage Software to publish and distribute the Wii™ home video game system-exclusive title, The Conduit™. The first-person shooter garnered multiple awards at E3 2008, including three awards from IGN: Best Shooting Game (Wii), Best Graphics Technology (Wii) and Best Overall Wii Game. The Conduit is a stunning, futuristic title powered by a new game engine technology that delivers remarkable visuals and effects, as well as a rich interactive experience that is unlike any other title on the Wii.

“Bringing The Conduit into our library is yet another show of SEGA’s belief that the Wii is more than a casual games console,” says Gary Knight, European Marketing Director at SEGA of Europe Ltd.. “As one of the most anticipated Wii games for next year, The Conduit will be the new benchmark for first person shooters.”

“High Voltage Software’s partnership with SEGA to publish The Conduit represents an important milestone for this studio,” said Kerry Ganofsky, CEO and founder of High Voltage Software, Inc. “SEGA shares our vision for the title and its tremendous potential, which is why we chose them from a long list of potential partners.  With their support, we are confident that The Conduit will deliver the definitive shooter experience that Wii fans have been waiting for since the system’s launch.”

The Conduit takes players into a dark story in Washington D.C. after a vicious alien invasion has rocked the country. An organisation called the Trust has sent in Secret Service agent, Mr. Ford, to go up against the insect-like alien race known as “The Drudge.” Armed with an array of futuristic weaponry and an intelligence-gathering device simply called the “All-Seeing Eye,” players follow an intricate maze filled with conspiracy, shady government activity and terrifying aliens.

The Conduit’s detailed control system allows players to customise and configure their controls, including look sensitivity, turning speed, the dead zone and much more. As players delve further into the mystery behind the extraterrestrial invasion, shocking details reveal that the invasion may have been brought on with help from the government itself.

Powered by High Voltage Software’s groundbreaking Quantum 3 engine, The Conduit ensures that players will experience single and multiplayer gameplay with graphical fidelity never seen before on the Wii. The Conduit will also support the recently announced Wii Speak peripheral, allowing online multiplayer gamers the ability to chat as they destroy aliens in each terrifying level. Additionally, the game will take advantage of the Wii MotionPlus for optimal control.

The Conduit is slated to release in Autumn 2009 exclusively on the Nintendo Wii. For more information on The Conduit please visit www.sega.co.uk. For press information and assets please visit www.sega-press.com.
NINTENDO, Wii AND THE Wii LOGO ARE TRADEMARKS OF NINTENDO.

About SEGA Europe Ltd.:
SEGA® Europe Ltd. is the European Distribution arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA Corporation, and a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. SEGA Europe’s web site is located at www.sega-europe.com.

About SEGA of America Inc.:
SEGA® of America, Inc. is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA Corporation, a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home.  The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.  SEGA of America’s Web site is located at www.sega.com.

About High Voltage Software, Inc.
High Voltage Software, Inc. is an award-winning studio that has been developing games and simulations for over 15 years.  Located in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, it now employs over 140 staff members. The independent company has successfully produced a wide variety of license-based video game titles that include competitive racing, professional sports, horror, motion picture adaptations, and military simulations, and is now making its foray into original and innovative intellectual properties. More information about High Voltage Software and its products can be found at www.high-voltage.com.

Sports Interactive & SEGA Europe Ltd. today can announce that Football Manager 2009 for PC and Apple Macintosh has gone gold. The demo for the PC and MAC is also set for release later this week from the early hours of Sunday 2^nd November.

There will be two different versions of the demo available for PC and MAC, a ‘strawberry’ and ‘vanilla’ version, with both providing half a season of gameplay. The saved games from the demo will be compatible with the full release of the game. 

The strawberry version of the demo includes player pictures and club badges, with quickstarts for the world’s biggest leagues, giving players a chance to try out their skills in leagues from multiple countries. This version of the demo will also include all language translations for the game. The strawberry demo will be available to download from midnight on Sunday 2^nd November from Steam (PC only) at http://store.steampowered.com and via www.sigames.com as a torrent or direct download, with bandwidth for the direct download provided by GameShadow.  

The vanilla version of the demo is English language only, and features the English and Scottish leagues, with no player photos or club badges in order to reduce the size of the download. The vanilla demo is being released exclusively from midnight on Sunday 2^nd November via the News Of The World website at (www.newsoftheworld.co.uk).

The hardware requirements for the Football Manager 2009 demo and the full release are as follows:

For PC

OS: Windows XP or Vista

Processor: XP: 1.4GHz or Faster / Vista: 2.0GHz or Faster

Supported Processors: Intel Pentium 4, Intel Core, AMD Athlon

Memory: XP: 512MB RAM / Vista: 1.0GB RAM

Hard Drive Space: 2GB

DVD-Drive: 4x Speed

Video Card: 128MB *Supported Chipsets (see below)

Sound Card: DirectX 9.0c compatible

Directx: Version 9.0c (included)

LAN: TCP/IP compliant

Input: Keyboard, Mouse

*Supported Chipsets – Nvidia FX 5900 Ultra or greater; ATI Radeon 9800 or greater; Intel 82915G/82910GL or greater.

Earlier cards may only display 2D Match Viewer Mode and are not supported. Laptop versions of these chipsets may work but are not supported.

For MAC

Intel Processor, OS X 10.5.5, NVIDIA GeForce 7300 / ATI X1600 Radeon, 1GB System RAM

Football Manager 2009 for PC and Apple Macintosh, and Football Manager™ Handheld 2009 for Sony PSP are both set for release on November 14th.

For further information please go to www.sigames.com or www.footballmanager.com. For assets, please visit www.sega-press.com.

This week gamers can ‘take a leap of Faith’ with a special demo for Mirror’s Edge™, available at the PlayStation® Store on October 30^th and on Xbox LIVE™ Marketplace on October 31st. The demo will feature the prologue of the game, a tutorial and a segment of the single-player story mode. Now is your chance to experience the action that has GameSpot saying “Unlike anything we’d ever played before.”

MELBOURNE – Thursday 30 October, 2008 – A number of the world’s leading publishers will be represented at this year’s annual Game Connect: Asia Pacific which will be held in Brisbane from 19 – 200 November.

Already confirmed to attend are executives from Activision, Sega, THQ, Atari, Ubisoft, and Nokia., who will meet with representatives from Australia’s thriving video game development industry; an industry that comprises some 50 developers and employs close to 2000 people. 

Sydney, Australia – October 30, 2008 – Do you have the speed? Do you have the focus? Do you have the agility? Australian’s now have the chance to see if they have what it takes to live in the world of Mirror’s Edge by challenging their abilities on the Mirror’s Edge Online Reaction Test at www.mirrorsedge.com.au.

Online, www.mirrorsedge.com.au reveals all there is to know about Mirror’s Edge, as well as feature the Mirror’s Edge Online Reaction Test designed to assess the gamers reaction speed – a skill essential to survive in the futuristic world of Mirror’s Edge. 

Based on an actual in-game trailer, the reaction test takes consumers on a journey through unique game footage. Through the eyes of the games heroine Faith, gamers traverse the rooftops of the incredible cityscape as a free-runner, and it’s their speed, agility and focus which will allow them to prove that they have the edge to succeed in the game. 

By proving their skill in the Mirror’s Edge Online Reaction Test, the gamer with the highest score will win a Mirror’s Edge Prize Pack featuring a 46” HD TV, Sony PS3 and Mirror’s Edge game. The gamers with the next five highest scores on the reaction test will each receive a Sony PS3 and a Mirror’s Edge game, and the people with the following 20 highest scores will receive a copy of Mirror’s Edge on PS3.

To enter the Mirror’s Edge Online Reaction Test and learn more about Mirror’s Edge, visit www.mirrorsedge.com.au

Sydney, Australia, October 31, 2008 – ASUS, manufacturer of world-leading motherboards, has announced the most advanced and highest performing enthusiast motherboard at present: the Republic of Gamers (ROG) Rampage II Extreme.

In keeping with ROG’s commitment to producing cutting-edge, boundary-breaking products for serious gamers and overclockers, the ROG Rampage II Extreme incorporates the latest innovations and components into its architecture. Elements including the latest Intel chipset and SLI/CrossFireX on Demand deliver blistering performance through its support for the new range of Intel processors and multi-GPU technologies such as 3-Way SLI and CrossFireX™. To enable users to push the new platform’s capabilities to the limit, the ROG Rampage II Extreme features ROG Extreme Engine, a true multi-phase power management system – 16 phases for the CPU and 3 phases each for QPI/DRAM, the Northbridge and memory – with premium Multilayer type Polymer Capacitors (ML Caps) that keep the power supply stable, even under the most demanding loads.

The ROG Rampage II Extreme helps overclockers build the fastest machines in the fastest time possible – innovative overclocking solutions, TweakIt and ProbeIt enable overclockers to adjust and monitor frequency and voltage settings directly from the motherboard itself, thus allowing maximum performance thrust from systems quickly and conveniently. TweakIt enables overclockers to make real-time changes to the system’s core frequency, voltage and other parameters using the joystick-like control on the motherboard itself – even while the benchmark utility is running. At no point does software come into play; the tweaking is completely hardware-based. ProbeIt, on the other hand, takes the guesswork out of locating the motherboard’s measurement points, distinguishing them clearly so that users will know exactly where they will be able to get quick yet accurate readings using a multitester. There are eight sets of detection points in total.

Supporting the new Intel CPU chipset, the ROG Rampage II Extreme enables users to reap the performance benefits of Intel’s latest processor microarchitecture including increased speed, superior multitasking, DDR3-1800(OC) memory support and greater energy efficiency. Overclockers can also push the new generation of CPUs to the max with the ROG Rampage II Extreme – ROG Extreme Engine – a next-generation, dynamic, multi-phase power management system equipped with high performance ML Caps that ensure a stable power supply during overvoltage by lowering ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance) – keeping mission-critical components such as the processor, system memory and the Northbridge reliable. With support for the latest Intel chipset and additional overclocking headroom offered by ROG Extreme Engine, the ROG Rampage II Extreme is set to take system performance to a new level.

The ROG Rampage II Extreme also realises the overclocker’s dream – SLI graphics technology on an Intel chipset-based platform. Many users have risked ‘bricking’ their motherboards and voiding warranties by running cracked SLI drivers on unlicensed platforms. The ROG Rampage II Extreme features SLI/CrossFireX on Demand, providing support for 3-Way SLI. This means that users will be able to install up to three 3-Way SLI-capable graphics cards. Users do still have the flexibility though to run a CrossFireX setup instead of an SLI one. Users are guaranteed jaw-dropping graphics performance at a level previously unseen.

Rounding off the stellar package is the inclusion of a SupremeFX X-Fi sound card, precluding the need for users to purchase a separate audio device. SupremeFX X-Fi utilises established X-Fi technologies such as CMSS-3D and EAX to deliver immersive and crystal clear multichannel audio both during gaming and while enjoying other forms of multimedia entertainment.

The ASUS ROG Rampage II Extreme is available through computer resellers with a recommended retail price of AU$649 and NZ$699 (prices inclusive of GST).

Specifications

Brands and product names mentioned are properties of their respective owners.

New York, NY – October 30, 2008 – The Beatles’ extraordinary music and phenomenal legacy is set to rock across the universe in the form of a video game through an exclusive partnership between Apple Corps Ltd., Harmonix and MTV Games, a part of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B). 

This partnership marks the first time that Apple Corps, along with EMI Music, Harrisongs Ltd, and Sony/ATV Music Publishing, has agreed to present The Beatles music in an interactive video game format. Published by MTV Games and developed by Harmonix, the world’s premier music video game company and creators of the best-selling Rock Band®, the game will be an unprecedented, experiential progression through and celebration of the music and artistry of The Beatles. The game was creatively conceived with input from Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, along with Yoko Ono Lennon and Olivia Harrison, and enjoys their full blessing. In addition, Giles Martin, co-producer of The Beatles innovative LOVE project, will provide his expertise and serve as Music Producer for this groundbreaking Beatles project. 
 
“The project is a fun idea which broadens the appeal of The Beatles and their music. I like people having the opportunity to get to know the music from the inside out,” Sir Paul McCartney said.

“It gives me great pleasure to be part of The Beatles / Apple and Harmonix / Rock Band partnership,” said Ringo Starr.  “The Beatles continue to evolve with the passing of time and how wonderful that The Beatles’ legacy will find its natural progression into the 21st century through the computerized world we live in.  Let the games commence.”

“It’s cool.  I love it and hope it will keep inspiring and encouraging the young generation for many decades,” said Yoko Ono Lennon.

“People are having so much fun playing Rock Band.  Combined with The Beatles tracks, it is a great way to either listen or participate,” said Olivia Harrison.  “If you like the music, it doesn’t take much persuasion to get you to play.” 

“Introducing the genius of The Beatles to a whole new generation of music lovers through original and inspired ways is extremely exciting to us at Apple Corps,” stated Jeff Jones, CEO, Apple Corps.  “We are truly pleased to be working with the innovative forces at MTV and Harmonix as they embody our mutual passions for music and creativity.”

“Many of us have been part of a generation that has long enjoyed an enduring love affair with The Beatles and now we’re looking to extend that love affair for future generations to enjoy,” said Van Toffler.”  “Our inspiration for this project comes from a keen sense of history and a place of utmost reverence and respect for the band, their music and their heritage.”

“The impact of The Beatles is forever ingrained in the hearts, minds and souls of millions the world over,” said Judy McGrath, Chairman and CEO of MTV Networks. “The Beatles are the reason many of us are WHERE we are, and some of us are WHO we are.”
 
“We are honored to be part of this new way for people to discover the timeless music and art of The Beatles – the most creatively and commercially successful, critically acclaimed, and influential band in the history of popular music,” stated Paul DeGooyer, MTV’s Senior Vice President of Electronic Games & Music.
 
“By presenting their music and artistry through the creative filter of a groundbreaking video game, we are giving legions of fans and music lovers all over the world a profound, new way to experience The Beatles,” said Alex Rigopulos, CEO and Co-Founder, Harmonix. “This game will be a celebration of the Beatles undeniable legacy.”

A replay of today’s Apple Corps and MTV announcement will be available beginning at 1:30pm ET through Tuesday, November 4. To access the replay, dial 1-888-203-1112 (U.S.) or 719-457-0820 (International) and enter the passcode 7847158.

For art and video assets, please visit http://www.mtvpress.com

– 31 October 2008 – Atari, one of the world’s most recognized video game publishers, today announced that first person shooter The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena is joining its 2009 publishing and distribution line up.  In conjunction with Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group, Tigon Studios and acclaimed developer Starbreeze Studios, Atari is bringing the franchise to the new generation of consoles for the first time packed with thrilling new adventures. The highly anticipated title is scheduled for launch on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Windows® PC in autumn 2009.

Previously announced as a remake of hit title The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay with added content, Atari can today reveal that The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena contains a brand new full-length campaign. This exciting announcement promises a title which will include the original game re-imagined for a whole new audience, an entirely new chapter in the Riddick saga and, for the first time, intense online multiplayer combat, making The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena a must-have experience for any fan of intense action gaming.

“It’s very exciting to have Assault on Dark Athena as part of Atari’s 2009 publishing line-up,” said Phil Harrison, President of Infogrames Entertainment, the parent company of Atari.  “The first game in the series was a landmark in action gaming and the outstanding team at Starbreeze are creating a feature-packed follow-up which will delight fans and new players alike.”

“The Riddick IP offers a rich universe from which to develop no-holds barred games, and we’ve believed that since the days of the Pitch Black film,” said Bill Kispert, Vice President and General Manager, Interactive, Universal Pictures Digital Platforms Group. “Assault on Dark Athena extends the franchise fiction; adds to the mythology with new storylines, characters and locations while remaining true to the original material; and gives fans an experience they haven’t seen before. As we introduce this new Riddick chapter, we are also excited to welcome Atari to the Riddick family.”

“We’re thrilled about this remake and expansion of Escape from Butcher Bay.” said Ian Stevens, Head of Game Production, Tigon Studios. “Assault on Dark Athena tells a new story in The Chronicles of Riddick, while at the same time sharing our original vision with a larger audience.  We’re excited about the coming months and talking more in-depth about new features like the addition of Multiplayer!”

“Working with the Riddick franchise for us is an extraordinary experience,” said Johan Kristiansson, CEO, Starbreeze Studios. “We are deeply enthusiastic about the partnership with Atari that will bring this rich game experience to a new generation of consoles. With this release we’ve pushed the limits of the Starbreeze engine, delivering an extensive game package designed to thrill gamers worldwide. We can’t wait for it to hit the shelves.”

In The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena the player takes the role of Riddick, as played by Vin Diesel, using stealth and action to overcome the merciless crew of the predatory Merc-ship Dark Athena which awaits its prey in the dark reaches of space.  Cheating death through a series of spectacular battles and events, Riddick will fight for his life amid a storm of malevolence and horror.  The Chronicles of Riddick series of games takes the player deeper into the universe of Universal Pictures’ films The Chronicles of Riddick and cult classic Pitch Black, which first introduced Vin Diesel as enigmatic anti-hero Riddick.

Featuring a brand new exhilarating adventure, a high-definition re-imagining of the classic Escape from Butcher Bay campaign and new multiplayer options, The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena will thrill fans when it launches in autumn 2009.

For more information about Atari’s entire product line up, visit www.atari.com.au and log onto the Atari Trade Site for all box shots, demos, trailers, and online screenshots.