magnify
formats

The first-of-its-kind promotional offer for Shin Megami Tensei IV and Fire Emblem Awakening runs on Club Nintendo through August 31

IRVINE, Calif. – July 9, 2013 – Shin Megami Tensei IV, the upcoming mature-themed role playing game from ATLUS for the Nintendo 3DS system, has a brand new limited-time offer for fans: players in the U.S. and Canada who purchase Shin Megami Tensei IV and Nintendo’s hit turn-based strategy game Fire Emblem Awakening and register both games on their free Club Nintendo account will receive a $30 credit to use in the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS. The promotion begins on the release date of Shin Megami Tensei IV – July 16, 2013 – and runs through August 31. Both retail and digital purchases of either game are eligible for the offer, so long as both games are registered to the same Club Nintendo account by August 31, 2013. Specific details on the promotion can be found on the Club Nintendo website: http://club.nintendo.com/.

The Club Nintendo promotion is a first-of-its-kind offer from Nintendo and ATLUS. RPG fans, tacticians, strategists and other gamers who love deep story and turn-based combat that purchase both games and complete the promotion requirements will earn a $30 credit to the Nintendo 3DS eShop to put towards any paid content, including future games and downloadable content (DLC). After each game is registered to the same Club Nintendo account, players must complete a short web survey by the August 31 deadline to receive the credit.

About Shin Megami Tensei IV
The story of Shin Megami Tensei IV revolves around the Samurai, the sacred protectors of the Eastern Kingdom of Mikado. As a newly appointed Samurai, players will struggle with factions that have nefarious designs on the world as they defend their home kingdom from a growing army of demons. Decisions players make throughout the course of the story will have lasting repercussions, as the fate of the world hangs in the balance.

Shin Megami Tensei IV will be exclusive to the Nintendo 3DS system beginning July 16. Fans who pre-order retail copies will be upgraded to a Limited Edition Box Set, while they last, which includes a collectible case, 176-page Strategy and Design Book, and a CD soundtrack. The game is rated M for Mature by the ESRB. More details are available on the official SMTIV website at http://www.atlus.com/smt4.

About Fire Emblem Awakening
Fire Emblem Awakening is the first entry in the fantasy turn-based strategy series on Nintendo 3DS. It tells the story of Lord Chrom and his growing army of companions as they band together to save the world from a rising evil. Fire Emblem Awakening features a gorgeous art style and voice acting, plus an epic storyline with a massive lineup of memorable characters with unique personalities. The game also features a popular marriage system, as well as a robust selection of DLC for playable characters and maps. As with past entries in the series, every decision the player makes is vital, as characters lost in battle are gone forever. The game is rated T for Teen by the ESRB. A demo of Fire Emblem Awakening is currently available in the Nintendo eShop.

# # #

 
formats

AVG Technologies Introduces Free AVG Uninstaller for Android

SYDNEY– 9 July 2013 – AVG Technologies AU has today announced that AVG Uninstaller™ is now available free for Android™ smartphones and tablets.

AVG Uninstaller enables users to monitor apps on their Android smartphones and tablets according to their size, frequency of use, battery consumption and mobile data usage and then use the information gathered to decide which applications they might want to uninstall. Offering regular, proactive notification on recommended apps to remove, AVG Uninstaller enables users to decide quickly and easily how to free up space for new apps and help improve their device’s performance – all without having to go through multiple Android OS tasks to delete each app individually.

“With recent studies showing that as much as 82% of consumers’ mobile time is being spent on apps[i], it’s clear that we all love to download these programs, but there are inevitably some apps that we use once then totally forget about. While this doesn’t seem like an immediate problem, having these unused apps running in the background can have a draining effect on our devices, particularly on their limited storage memory, but also on battery power and mobile data – all of which can ultimately hinder overall performance,” said Yuval Ben-Itzhak, Chief Technology Officer at AVG Technologies.

“In particular, frequent app users or those with only a small amount of memory on their devices can quickly find themselves running out of space, or becoming frustrated by potentially sluggish performance. AVG Uninstaller for Android helps to solve this problem by enabling users to analyse their application use and then de-clutter their devices without fuss, so that they can free up space for the latest app releases that they really want.”

AVG Uninstaller builds upon an existing mobile presence from AVG Technologies, which provides award-winning AVG mobile solutions to millions of users worldwide. Following the recent releases of AVG Cleaner, AVG Image Shrinker and AVG TuneUp™, AVG Uninstaller adds to a suite of mobile products all designed to help improve device performance.

For more information about AVG Uninstaller and to download the application directly please visit: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.avg.uninstaller.

Android is a trademark of Google Inc.

 
formats

Rally Point Episode 14

 
formats

MADMAN PARTNERS WITH MILK SHADOW BOOKS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Madman is proud to announce a new distribution partnership with independent Australian comics and graphic novel publisher, Milk Shadow Books.

Established in 2008, Milk Shadow Books prides itself on publishing the finest independent works from Australian, New Zealand and international artists, and boasts a catalogue bursting with totally original, hilarious, emotional, terrifying and just downright weird tales to make you laugh, think and maybe gag.

Highlights from the Milk Shadow Books range include the unparalleled ‘Hergé meets Cronenberg via Lovecraft’ delights of Tim Molloy’s MR UNPRONOUNCABLE ADVENTURES and IT SHINES AND SHAKES AND LAUGHS, the collected sticky carpet legacy of Dillon Naylor that forms A BRUSH WITH DARKNESS, J. Marc Schmidt’s black comedy onslaught, ALL YOU BASTARDS CAN GO JUMP OFF A BRIDGE, two volume collections of Australia’s longest running underground humour comic, YOU STINK AND I DON’T, and much, much more.

Looking to the future, Milk Shadow Books have a treat in store for people of all ages. Dillon Naylor’s DA ‘N’ DILL – THE SHOWBAG YEARS collects all the infamous Da ‘n’ Dill comics that have wickedly entertained both children and adults over the years as they were sneakily packed into the Australian showbag circuit.

We believe that the breadth, exceptional quality, and dare I say, sheer tenacity of the Milk Shadow Books offering will compliment what we do perfectly,” said Daniel Chlebowczyk, Product Manager – Manga & Graphic Novels, Madman Ent.We’re truly excited to be working with them out there on the fringe!

It’s an honour to be working with Madman. With their cutting edge animation and alternative media collection, we see the future of our two companies working perfectly together. We’re really excited to see where this goes.” – James Andre – Publisher, Milk Shadow Books.

The Milk Shadow Books partnership will also further complement the distribution arrangement Madman have in place with Gestalt Publishing, whose graphic novels such as THE DEEP and CHANGING WAYS have received a multitude of awards, critical acclaim and reader praise.

Madman will begin distributing the Milk Shadow Books range in August, 2013.

 
formats

UBISOFT® ANNOUNCES LINEUP FOR PAX AUSTRALIA

Ubisoft supports inaugural Australian show with Highly-Anticipated titles and International Developers in Attendance 

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – July 9, 2013 — Today Ubisoft® announced its lineup for PAX Australia; Assassin’s Creed® IV Black Flag™, Just Dance® 2014, Rayman® Legends, Rocksmith® 2014 Edition, Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell® Blacklist™, Watch Dogs™ and a number of acclaimed digital, PC and Apple® iOS titles, such as  Might & Magic® Duel of Champions Online Card Game and The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot™ will be presented at the show. Attendees can check out Ubisoft’s lineup at stand 1536 at the Melbourne Showgrounds on July 19-21, 2013.

The Ubisoft stand will feature the Uplay Theatre, where attendees will have the opportunity to see Ubisoft developers present their biggest titles including Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag and Watch Dogs.

Attendees will be able to play Anno® Online, Cloudberry Kingdom, Flashback™, Just Dance 2014, Might & Magic Duel of Champions Online Card Game, Might & Magic® Heroes® Online, Prince of Persia® The Shadow and the Flame, Rayman® Jungle Run, Rayman Legends, The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot, The Settlers® Online and Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist. International guests representing Ubisoft studios will also be in attendance over the course of the show, from Ubisoft Blue Byte, Ubisoft Quebec, Ubisoft Singapore and Ubisoft Toronto studios.

The mobile gaming trailer, located between the Town Square and the Grand Pavilion, will be showcasing Trials Evolution™ over the course of the show.

Ubisoft is excited to announce that PAX Australia attendees will be eligible to partake in the “Road to Paris” Tournament Series for Might & Magic Duel of Champions, an online collectible card game. One attendee will win the opportunity to fly to Paris to compete in the final of the World Championships at Paris Games Week, October 30 – November 3 2013. The Might & Magic Duel of Champions Grand Champion will be crowned from only eight competitors who win their respective qualifying tournaments around the world. For more information, please visit the official website at http://www.road2paris.com

PAX Australia attendees will have the opportunity to preorder Ubisoft’s upcoming new releases including Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Blacklist, Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag and Watch Dogs from the Uplay shop and receive $10 off the purchase.  More details will be available at the Ubisoft stand.

For exclusive updates, further information and behind-the-scenes photos from PAX Australia throughout the entire event; please visit Ubisoft Australia’s Facebook page (facebook.com/UbisoftAustralia) or the PAX Australia Facebook page (facebook.com/PAXAUS)

 
formats

Hollywood Costume caps off

ACMI’s best year yet

The Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) has recorded its highest ever visitation attracting more than 1.156 million visitors in the last financial year.

The milestone caps off a busy year for ACMI that included its tenth birthday celebrations, and a bumper calendar of exhibitions, film screenings, festivals, talks and live events and education programs.

ACMI Director & CEO Tony Sweeney said that the achievement affirms ACMI’s place as a major cultural asset for Australia and its place on the international stage.

“Over our first ten years, we’ve established a strong reputation as a leading international cultural institution through our dynamic, innovative program of permanent and temporary exhibitions, film screenings, live events, creative workshops and educational opportunities.”

“ACMI is now the highest attended moving image cultural centre in the world. This is an outstanding achievement for a centre so young and something of which are immensely proud.”

Tony said that while the visitation record is cause for celebration, numbers only tell part of the success story.

“We are enormously proud of our contribution to Melbourne’s reputation as Australia’s arts and culture capital. We have pioneered a unique role in commissioning and presenting contemporary moving image art and influential popular culture through illuminating exhibitions, film screenings, live events and creative programs. These constantly draw new audiences on top of our well-established visitor base, demonstrating the power of creative brilliance, innovation and artistic achievement in the moving image to inspire, engage, provoke and entertain.”

The highest attended day at ACMI was the inaugural White Night festival on Saturday 23 February, for which ACMI programmed a dynamic mix of screenings and the hugely popular Classic Screen Tests interactive event, drawing 27,144 revellers through the doors.

The announcement of record annual attendances coincides with the Hollywood Costume exhibition welcoming its 100,000th visitor on Friday 5 July, a figure which now sits at 110,000 attendances. Bringing together the most iconic costumes from a century of filmmaking, from the Golden Age to today, Hollywood Costume is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the original clothes worn by over 100 of the most unforgettable and beloved characters in films. The acclaimed exhibition, direct from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, demonstrates the central role costume design plays in cinema storytelling and is on at ACMI until Sunday 18 August. For more information please visit acmi.net.au

 
formats

5 Years of the App Store

5 Years of the App Store

From the 500 apps available at launch in 2008 to the more than 90,000 at your fingertips today, it’s been a remarkably prolific five years for the App Store. To celebrate, we’re giving everyone five landmark games and five groundbreaking apps for a limited time. Plus, look back at the key moments that have made the App Store the world’s most innovative destination for apps*.

* Key milestones are broken out by individual year from 2008 – 2013 on the App Store.

Five Landmark Apps

Barefoot World Atlas

Learn about the world, its nations and its wonders through this dazzling interactive globe

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/barefoot-world-atlas/id489221652?mt=8

Day One (Journal / Diary)

Record movements every day using photos, places and words with this intuitive journal

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/day-one-journal-diary/id421706526?mt=8

How to Cook Everything

Learn to cook more than 2,000 gourmet recipes using this robust kitchen companion

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/how-to-cook-everything/id409936319?mt=8

Over

Help your photos stand out by adding custom captions, logos and stylish doodles

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/over/id535811906?mt=8

Traktor DJ for iPhone

Mix like a pro with a DJ app that puts industry-leading features right at your fingertips

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/traktor-dj-for-iphone/id625335999?mt=8

Five Landmark Games. 

Editors notes: high res images of the apps are available on request

BADLAND

An Apple Design Award winner, Badland is an incredible action game with stunning graphics

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/badland/id535176909?mt=8

Infinity Blade II

With smart gameplay and gorgeous graphics, this action-packed epic absolutely shines

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/infinity-blade-ii/id447689011?mt=8

Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP

This elegant 8-bit adventure uses touch-based puzzles to deliver a poignant story

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/superbrothers-sword-sworcery/id424912055?mt=8

Tiny Wings

This endearing classic features charming style and thrilling momentum-based gameplay

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/tiny-wings/id417817520?mt=8

Where’s My Water?

A simple and challenging puzzle game that features intuitive controls and a lovable mascot

https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/wheres-my-water/id449735650?mt=8

 
formats

A SURREAL STORM OF EVENTS MERGING BROADCAST, THEATRE, DANCE AND PERFORMANCE ART

Something has been broken in the world of PROMPTER by instantaneous news reporting. Journalists and their audience are caught in a game of ‘guess-what-is-happening-while-it-streams-right-into-your-home’. And as this real-time event unfolds the gaze of the audience feeds a storm of converging narratives.

PROMPTER takes place in a surreal newsroom studio and explores how the boundaries of news practice is slipping away via new technology and driven by the rapacious appetites of media consumers.

Onstage, a live media drama plays out – while an ‘online chorus’ of performers observe, stage vigils and re-create action in their homes.

The chorus are part of an epidemic of performative empathy that is spreading through living spaces across the globe. And the journalists caught at the centre of this storm, who have become the darlings of disaster and violence, must find a way forward or out of this loop of information, concern and intervention.

Written by journalist and writer Patrick Pittman (Monocle, Smith Journal and Dumbo Feather) and Perth’s Hydra Poesis director Sam Fox (Sidney Myer Creative Fellowship recipient), PROMPTER features five onstage performers and an online chorus of voices streaming into the performance from around the globe – including Australia, Argentina, America, France and the United Kingdom

PROMPTER incorporates broadcast, theatre, dance and performance art; and interrogates the ethics and conflicts of today’s media environment, journalism practice and digital culture.

____________________________________________________________

Season Fri 9 – Sun 18 August 2013

Green Saturday Matinee Sat 17 August 2013, 2pm

Post-show Q&A Thu 15 August 2013

Time Wed – Sat 7.30pm / Sun 5pm

Duration 90 minutes no interval

Tickets Full $30 / Conc $25 / Student $20

Venue Arts House, Meat Market, 5 Blackwood Street, North Melbourne

Bookings artshouse.com.au or 03 9322 3713

 
formats

Network Ten App to launch on Xbox

Xbox further expands its entertainment content offering with the Network Ten Xbox App, launching this week. 

Microsoft and Network Ten today announced the launch of the Network Ten Xbox app, the first commercial free-to-air network video on-demand application available through Xbox in Australia.

The Network Ten Xbox app gives Xbox Gold Live subscribers instant access to a library of more than 25 programs including Offspring, The Graham Norton Show, Bondi Vet, Bondi Rescue, The Living Room and Totally Wild, meaning Xbox owners will never miss a moment of their favourite local and international hit shows from TEN, ELEVEN and ONE.  Additionally, people will be able to use their voice and gesture commands to navigate the app and its content with Kinect for Xbox 360.*

The Network Ten Xbox app will also update with the latest news from TEN News At Five and TEN Late News as it breaks.

“We are thrilled to be adding Network Ten programs to the Xbox platform and further expanding our content library. Our aim is to provide Australian Xbox LIVE members with the best and most popular television content, alongside movies, music and games, and now they will be able to access some of Australia’s highest rated local and international shows,” said Jeremy Hinton, Interactive Entertainment Business Lead, Microsoft Australia.

The Network Ten Xbox App joins more than 120 voice controlled custom entertainment apps worldwide.

Network Ten’s Chief Digital Officer, Rebekah Horne, said: “We are delighted to be the first Australian commercial free-to-air network to join forces with Xbox to provide its consumers with new entertainment, comedy, reality and news content.

“This is the first product release in Ten’s TV ‘anywhere’ strategy. Our goal is to deliver a TV experience anywhere that consumers are engaging with video content. Ten’s TV anywhere strategy will be realised over time by a number of product releases across different platforms and devices,” said Rebekah.

Network Ten’s new agreement with Xbox expands the reach of its popular online catch-up viewing service, which is available through www.ten.com.au and has recorded more than 20 million video views so far this year.

The Network Ten Xbox app will be available to existing Xbox Gold Live console owners from Wednesday, July 10.

 
formats

FARMING SIMULATOR COMING SOON ON CONSOLE!

This first video of Farming Simulator on console focuses on some new features on Xbox 360 and PS3. An entirely new American backdrop has now been added to the extensive European environment familiar to PC players, which will double the size of the gameplay area in Farming Simulator. Inspired by typical American farms, this new and monumental terrain represents a total change of scene, with new locations, fresh development opportunities for your farm and even bigger fields suitable for the largest agricultural machinery available in the game.

The trailer video presents some of the new vehicles that will expand the huge number of agricultural vehicles and machinery in Farming Simulator. See them in action in the middle of vast fields and at some stunning landmarks in this new American setting! You will also recognize the Case IH Axial-Flow harvester and the Magnum 340. The range of machinery from famous manufacturers, will enable you to carry out your tasks with greater efficiency… particularly on the new game map.

Farming Simulator on PlayStation®3 and Xbox 360® still retains all the elements that made the Farming Simulator series so successful by conveying the finer points of agriculture and life on the farm.            Here, you will confront the challenges faced by a 21st century farmer and raise livestock, grow crops, sell produce and purchase new vehicles and machinery… manage your own farm every day in a fully open world!

Grab your controllers, because Farming Simulator is scheduled for release on PlayStation®3 and Xbox 360® September 2013!