Battlefield 3 Origin Sale Banner
Today Origin is having a HUGE Battlefield 3™ sale! Battlefield 3™ has been reduced to $9.99, Battlefield 3™ Premium has been reduced to $29.99 and Battlefield 3™ Premium Edition has been reduced to only $39.99, all including GST (AUD pricing). Hurry, the sale ends 27th February, 11.59pm AEST!
Immanitas Entertainment releases new screenshots of Ong Bak Tri – The Game
The internationally operating multiplatform publisher Immanitas Entertainment releases four brand-new screenshots for the action title Ong Bak Tri today, which will be released, exclusively and worldwide, this year for PC, mobile (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Android) and console (PSN and XBLA). The game, with the movie of the same name, will be developed by Immanitas Entertainment’s Thai partner, STUDIO HIVE, in celebration of the fourth part, which will be in theaters worldwide in 2013.
The creative team behind the action game work closely together with the director Thossaporn Poonnart as well as the creator and main choreographer of Ong Bak, Panna Rittikrai and were therefore able to create a game world which gives a real Ong Bak Tri experience. Just like in the movie, in addition to the tough mixed martial arts, the main character Tony Jaa, who has already advanced to an international martial arts star through the movies, is the center of attention.
The game was developed on the Unity Engine in 2,5D and therefore offers a Hollywood-style experience, which will fascinate players with an elaborate fighting system and dynamic free running sequences.
Further information can be found on the official Facebook page:
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Marvel NOW! – ALL-NEW X-MEN #9 First Look!
Marvel is pleased to present your first look at All-New X-Men #9, from the critically acclaimed creative team of writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Stuart Immonen! Hot on the heels of the Uncanny X-Men facing Sentinels in their first issue, the All-New X-Men find themselves face-to-face with Sentinels for the very first time. Something is boiling under the surface of the Marvel Universe! Also, Mystique continues to make some big moves that will have huge circumstances for the X-Men.
As part of Marvel NOW!, All-New X-Men joins a number of titles that will take the Marvel Universe in an exciting all-new direction, as the industry’s top creators join the top Super Heroes to deliver all-new ongoing series, great for new and lapsed readers alike!
Each issue of All-New X-Men includes a code for a free digital copy on the Marvel Comics app (for iPhone®, iPad®, iPad Touch® & Android devices). Each issue of All-New X-Men features special augmented reality content available exclusive through the Marvel AR app – including cover recaps, behind the scenes features and more that add value to your reading experience at no additional cost.
An all-new direction! All-new threats! All-new consequences! This is All-New X-Men #9!
ALL-NEW X-MEN #9 (JAN130676)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Art & Cover by STUART IMMONEN
FOC – 02/25/13 On-Sale – 03/20/13
Marvel is pleased to present your first look at All-New X-Men #9, from the critically acclaimed creative team of writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Stuart Immonen! Hot on the heels of the Uncanny X-Men facing Sentinels in their first issue, the All-New X-Men find themselves face-to-face with Sentinels for the very first time. Something is boiling under the surface of the Marvel Universe! Also, Mystique continues to make some big moves that will have huge circumstances for the X-Men.
An all-new direction! All-new threats! All-new consequences! This is All-New X-Men #9!
ALL-NEW X-MEN #9 (JAN130676)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Art & Cover by STUART IMMONEN
FOC – 02/25/13 On-Sale – 03/20/13
BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT’S BLIZZCON® 2013
STORMS ANAHEIM NOVEMBER 8 & 9
IRVINE, Calif. – February 19, 2013 – Gather your guildmates, muster your minions, and summon your swarm! Blizzard Entertainment today announced plans for its seventh BlizzCon® gaming convention, taking place Friday, November 8 and Saturday, November 9 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. For two epic days, members of Blizzard’s gaming community from around the globe will descend on Anaheim to meet, play, and celebrate their shared passion for all things Warcraft®, StarCraft®, and Diablo®.
“BlizzCon gives us a chance to connect with our players and share our latest projects in a very personal way,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “Members from all of our gaming communities have helped make this event bigger and better every time, and we look forward to meeting up and celebrating with them in November.”
In addition to serving as a gathering place for Blizzard Entertainment gaming communities, BlizzCon will offer attendees a chance to enjoy:
- Hands-on play time with the latest versions of Blizzard Entertainment games
- Global finals for Blizzard eSports, featuring top pro gamers from around the world
- In-depth discussion panels with Blizzard game developers and artists
- Competitive and casual tournaments for players to showcase their talents
- Community contests with great prizes
- Commemorative merchandise based on Blizzard Entertainment’s game universes
- More activities and attractions to be announced
The previous BlizzCon was held in Anaheim in October 2011. Tickets to the event sold out in seconds, and highlights included the unveiling of the fourth World of Warcraft expansion, Mists of Pandaria®, and an epic closing concert featuring rock legends Foo Fighters.
Further details about BlizzCon 2013, including ticket availability and pricing, will be announced on the official BlizzCon website (www.blizzcon.com) as the event draws closer. Those interested in attending the show in person can make advance hotel reservations now and receive special BlizzCon rates by booking through the BlizzCon hotel website.
Blizzard Entertainment is currently hiring for numerous open positions. More information on available career opportunities can be found at www.blizzard.com/jobs.
RAZER RE-RELEASES STARCRAFT® II PERIPHERALS IN ADVANCE OF IMPENDING SWARM FOR A LIMITED TIME
CARLSBAD, Calif. – Feb. 19, 2013 – Razer™, the world leader in high-performance gaming hardware, software and systems, announced the re-release of its peripheral lineup for Blizzard Entertainment’s StarCraft® II: Heart of the Swarm™ expansion, the highly anticipated next installment of the acclaimed StarCraft franchise. The entire suite of StarCraft II peripherals, designed specifically for the prestigious real-time strategy (RTS) game, is once again available in all its glory. The line includes the Razer Spectre™ StarCraft® II Gaming Mouse, the Razer Marauder™ StarCraft® II Gaming Keyboard and the Razer Banshee™ StarCraft® II Gaming Headset.
“The initial response we received on the announcement of the original StarCraft II peripherals was simply amazing and, as a way of giving back to our diehard fans and the StarCraft community, we want to make these products available once more,” said Min-Liang Tan – co-founder, CEO and creative director of Razer. “These peripherals speak to the quality of Razer products as a whole and give StarCraft players the edge they crave on the battlefield.”
The Razer Spectre, Razer Marauder and Razer Banshee all feature custom-backlighting to match any gaming rig and are able to electrify StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm gameplay through an APM (Actions-Per-Minute) Lighting System. The APM Lighting System offers a fully integrated gaming experience that responds directly to a player’s maneuvers and speed, providing vibrant performance feedback that gamers can see. Each peripheral also features a gaming-optimized design with an emphasis on portability for tournament play and is stylized with design elements from the StarCraft® universe.
The announcement comes in the wake of StarCraft II’s successful 2012 tournament season.
Additionally, fans of the popular RTS title can enter for a chance to win each of the StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm peripherals by going to www.razerzone.com/HOTSsweepstakes.
About the Razer Spectre™ StarCraft® II Gaming Mouse
Tournament-ready and designed for StarCraft® II, the Razer Spectre™ StarCraft® II Gaming Mouse is a lightweight, five-button mouse designed to provide precision and control for RTS gamers. The Razer Spectre features the newly developed APM Lighting System with a multicolor LED that provides real-time performance feedback through changing lighting hues and adjustable mouse button force settings for optimal mouse click speed and control. Equipped with a powerful 5600 dpi Razer Precision 3.5G laser sensor and a 1000 Hz Ultrapolling/1 ms response time, the Razer Spectre StarCraft II Gaming Mouse gives gamers exactly what they are looking for in an RTS mouse.
PRICE: Spectre™ StarCraft® II (HotS) – FRML
AU (Altech) AUD 89.95
NZ (Altech) NZD 119.95
FEATURES:
- StarCraft II®-inspired Design
- Lightweight, Fingertip-Grip 5 Button Mouse
- 5600 dpi Razer Precision 3.5G Laser Sensor
- Backlit Mouse with APM Lighting System
- Mouse Click Button Force Adjustment
- 1000 Hz Ultrapolling/1 ms Response Time
- Hardware Configuration Utility
AVAILABILITY:
Available now
About the Razer Marauder™ StarCraft® II Gaming Keyboard
Designed for StarCraft® II, the Razer Marauder™ StarCraft® II Gaming Keyboard is a full-featured, tournament-ready keyboard maximized for compact design. The Razer Marauder features a multi-color backlit keyboard with an APM Lighting System that provides real-time performance feedback through changing color hues to complement the gaming experience. Enhanced with elevated keys for rapid command input and improved gaming performance and a dedicated on-the-fly macro recording system, the Razer Marauder is built with a gaming-optimized design inspired by the StarCraft universe.
PRICE: Marauder™ StarCraft® II (HotS) – FRML
AU (Altech) AUD 149.95
NZ (Altech) NZD 199.95
FEATURES:
- StarCraft II®-inspired Design
- Optimized Key Travel Distance
- Backlit Keyboard with APM Lighting System
- Optimized Spacing with Laser-etched Keys
- Razer Hyperesponse Technology
- 1000 Hz Ultrapolling/1 ms Response
- Hardware Configuration Utility
AVAILABILITY:
Available now
About the Razer Banshee™ StarCraft® II Gaming Headset
Designed for StarCraft® II, with a focus on maximum performance, comfort and sound isolation, the Razer Banshee™ StarCraft II Gaming Headset features a newly developed, multi-color APM Lighting System that provides real-time feedback on player performance. The Razer Banshee is equipped with a configuration utility for customized adjustments of equalizer, pitch and volume. Other special features include a detachable microphone boom for easy transport and a comfortable circumaural construction, all in a gaming-optimized design inspired by the StarCraft universe.
PRICE: Banshee™ StarCraft® II (HotS) – FRML
AU (Altech) AUD 139.95
NZ (Altech) NZD 179.95
FEATURES:
- Gaming-Optimized Performance & Comfort
- StarCraft II®-inspired Design
- Backlit Headset with APM Lighting System
- Circumaural Design with 50 mm Driver Units
- Built-in Volume & Mic Control Buttons
- Detachable Microphone Boom
- Unified Software Configurator
AVAILABILITY:
Available Now
About the Razer StarCraft® II Zerg Edition Messenger Bag
The Razer StarCraft® II Zerg Edition Messenger Bag features artwork from the game and is designed to protect gaming gear in style.
PRICE:
US $79.99;
FEATURES:
- Tear-resistant, weather-proof heavy duty 1680 DEN ballistic nylon outer shell
- Single shoulder sling design for added mobility
- Easy, one-handed release chest clasp enables quick and convenient access
- Built-in compartments for laptops, gaming peripherals and portable gaming device
- Padded inner lining protects electronic devices and provides ample shock absorbency while on the road
About the Razer Group:
Razer™ is the world leader in high-performance gaming hardware, software and systems. Founded in 1998, with its headquarters in Carlsbad, California, the company has offices in nine cities around the globe. Used by the most demanding professional gamers who compete in global tournaments, Razer provides gamers with the unfair advantage of cutting-edge technology and award-winning design. We live by our motto: For Gamers. By Gamers.™
For more information, please visit http://www.razerzone.com/.
McAfee Mobile Study Documents Sophistication and Ubiquity of Risky Apps
Fraudsters Use Bad Apps to Steal Identities, Commit Financial Fraud, and Breach Privacy on Mobile Devices
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – February 19, 2013 – McAfee today released the results of its Mobile Security: McAfee Consumer Trends Report, documenting sophisticated and complex risky apps containing multi-faceted scams, black market crimes, drive-by downloads and near-field communication threats. The report identifies a new wave of techniques hackers use to steal digital identities, commit financial fraud, and invade users’ privacy on mobile devices.
Mobile platforms have become increasingly attractive to cybercriminals as consumers live more of their digital lives on smartphones and tablets. According to IDC, mobile devices are surpassing PCs as the preferred way to access the Internet and the number of people using PCs to go online will shrink by 15 million over the next four years, while the number of mobile users will increase by 91 million.1 With the mobile space becoming a more enticing platform for online mischief, the complexity and volume of threats targeting consumers will continue to increase. Using its extensive global threat intelligence network (GTI), McAfee Labs analysed mobile security data from the last three quarters.
“Despite elevated consumer awareness of threats on mobile platforms, there is still a significant knowledge gap surrounding how and when devices become infected and the level of potential damage,” said Luis Blando, vice president of mobile product development at McAfee. “Cybercriminals are exhibiting greater levels of determination and sophistication leading to more destructive, multi-faceted hacks that are harder to spot, and thus warrant a greater degree of security and vigilance. Our goal in releasing this report is to help consumers understand the risks they face and learn ways they can stay safe and compute with confidence on all of their devices.”
In the report, McAfee Labs identifies the following threats as the most severe existing and new trends consumers will encounter in 2013:
Risky Apps: Cybercriminals are going to great lengths to insert infected apps into trusted sources such as Google Play and the risks within each app are becoming more intricate. As a matter of fact, McAfee Labs found that 75 per cent of the malware-infected apps downloaded by McAfee Mobile Security users, who are apt to be more security conscious than the average consumer, were housed in the Google Play store, and that the average consumer has a one in six chance of downloading a risky app. Nearly 25 per cent of the risky apps that contain malware also contain suspicious URLs, and 40 per cent of malware families misbehave in more than one way.
A risky app may allow someone to:
> Steal personal information such as banking, email or wireless account details and combine that with location data to put together a complete picture of who you are
> Perpetuate fraud such as an SMS scam that will charge you without your approval
> Abuse a device by making it part of a criminal bot network, which allows someone to remotely control your phone
Black Market Activity: Botnet clients, downloaders, and rootkits are generic, useful software sold on black markets as part of software toolkits. Criminals use these to commit premium SMS and click fraud, spam distribution, data theft, or bank fraud – and the complexity of these criminal activities is growing. Commercial criminals are now reusing and recombining these components to devise new, profitable schemes.
Drive-by Downloads: The first mobile drive-by downloads were seen in 2012 and we expect these to increase in 2013. On a mobile device, a drive-by download fools a user into downloading an app without knowing it. Once a user opens the app, criminals have access to the device.
Near Field Communication: In 2013, we expect to see criminals abuse the tap-and-pay near field communications (NFC) technology used in mobile payment programs, or “digital wallets.” This scam uses worms that propagate through proximity, a process we can call “bump and infect.” The distribution path can quickly spread malware through a group of people such as in a passenger-loaded train or at an amusement park. When the newly infected device is used to “tap and pay” for the next purchase, the scammer collects the details of the wallet account and secretly reuses these credentials to steal from the wallet. Worm malware like this will spread by exploiting vulnerabilities on devices. This development would monetise the 11.8 per cent of malware families that already contain exploit behaviours.
As the mobile space evolves, criminals will look at ways to generate revenue from features only mobile devices have. During 2012, about 16 per cent of malware families detected by McAfee attempted to get devices to subscribe to premium SMS messages. In 2013, we foresee an increase in threats that will have users finding out they bought premium apps only when they check their bills.
For a full copy of the Mobile Security: McAfee Consumer Trends Report from McAfee Labs, with additional threats, please visit: http://www.mcafee.com/us/resources/reports/rp-mobile-security-consumer-trends.pdf
Additionally, for tips on how to stay safe from mobile threats, visit: http://home.mcafee.com/advicecenter/?id=ad_ms
1 IDC Predictions 2013: Competing on the 3rd Platform, doc #238044, November 2012
Assassin’s Creed III – The Tyranny of King Washington: The Infamy – AVAILABLE TODAY
Sydney, Australia — February 20, 2013 — Ubisoft® has announced the launch of The Infamy, the first episode in the three-part Assassin’s Creed III – The Tyranny of King Washington downloadable content series, on Microsoft’s Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system and Windows PCs. This episode will be available for PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system this week.
In the first episode of the Tyranny of King Washington series, our hero, Ratonhnhaké:ton, awakens from an unsettling dream to find that, despite his efforts to deliver justice in the newly-founded United States of America, a new king has been crowned – George Washington. The Infamy will take gamers through the beginning of the journey to dethrone King Washington.
Assassin’s Creed III – The Tyranny of King Washington will resume in two more episodes:
- The Betrayal releasing on March 19 for the Microsoft’s Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system and Windows PCs, and March 20 on PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system
- The Redemption releasing on April 23 for the Microsoft’s Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system and Windows PCs, and April 24 on PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.
The three upcoming episodes of the Tyranny of King Washington are available through the Assassin’s Creed III Season Pass, which is available for purchase for 2400 Microsoft Points on Xbox LIVE or $49.95 on the PlayStationNetwork and Windows PC. Each episode of The Tyranny of King Washington will be available for purchase separately as a single DLC pack for 800 Microsoft points or $15.95.
All Assassin’s Creed III downloadable content packs will also be available on the Wii UTM through the Nintendo eShop.
Assassin’s Creed III is now available on PlayStation®3, Xbox 360® and the Nintendo Wii UTM. For Windows PC gamers, the Assassin’s Creed III Deluxe Edition is available as a digital download and includes all future downloadable content.
UBISOFT BRINGS GAMES FROM EA AND WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT TO UPLAY SHOP
ompany Also Adding Titles From Many Other Top Developers to Digital Distribution Service and Bringing Ubisoft Games to EA’s Origin
Sydney, Australia — February 20, 2013 — Ubisoft has announced that top titles from leading video game developers and publishers are now available through Ubisoft’s Uplay Shop. Customers can purchase games from http://shop.ubi.com or via the Uplay PC client’s Shop interface. PC games from the following publishers can now be purchased and downloaded through Uplay Shop:
- Electronic Arts
- Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
- 1C Company, bitComposer Games
- Bohemia Interactive
- Encore Software
- Focus Home Interactive
- Freebird Games
- Iceberg Interactive
- Nordic Games
- Paradox Interactive
- Recoil Games
- Robot Entertainment
- Telltale Games
- Torn Banner Studios
- plus others
“Ubisoft is committed to continually improving Uplay and making it the most rewarding set of services available to our customers,” said Stephanie Perotti, Worldwide Director of Uplay at Ubisoft. “Adding excellent titles from EA, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and many other top developers to Uplay shop means that players now have more choice in where and how they purchase games online.”
To encourage customers to try the expanded Uplay shop, Ubisoft is offering a free digital copy of one of the following titles with the purchase of any game priced over AU$24.95/NZ$34.95 (excluding pre-orders), from today through March 4:
- Driver San Francisco Deluxe Edition
- From Dust
- Might & Magic Heroes VI Deluxe Edition
- Rayman Origins
- The Settlers 7 Gold Edition
- World in Conflict®: Complete Edition.
In addition, Uplay members can redeem all Assassin’s Creed 3 and Far Cry 3 Uplay rewards for free during the promotion.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing EA titles to Uplay and Ubisoft titles to Origin – the more choice for consumers, the better in today’s gaming world,” said Michael Blank, Vice President of Production for Origin™ at EA. “Offering games like Dead Space 3, Need for Speed Most Wanted and more on Uplay is a great opportunity to reach even more PC gamers worldwide.”
Among the numerous third-party games that will be available through Uplay shop players will be able to download Air Conflicts: Pacific Carriers (bitComposer), Arma 2: Complete Collection (Bohemia Interactive), Batman: Arkham City™ Game of the Year Edition (Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment), Chivalry (Torn Banner Studios), Crusader Kings II (Paradox Interactive), Crysis® 3 (EA), Endless Space (Iceberg Interactive), King’s Bounty: Warriors of the North (1C Company), Orcs Must Die 2 (Robot Entertainment), Rochard® (Recoil Games), The Book of Unwritten Tales (Nordic Games), The Walking Dead© (Telltale Games) and To The Moon (Freebird Games).
Pre-orders for titles like EA’s SimCity™ Limited Edition are also available. In addition, Ubisoft announced that it is now selling its games through EA’s Origin digital download service, including Assassin’s Creed III and Far Cry 3. For more information, please visit www.origin.com.
Uplay offers 50 million members across PC, console and mobile platforms a rich set of services including a friends list and messaging, cloud saves, achievements, social challenges and more. Using their Uplay identity, gamers have access to a unique program which rewards them with exclusive content and events for their loyalty across any Ubisoft game, and on any platform.