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Torture Porn: Aussies walk the line between pleasure and pain

Torture porn and creep out films top the horror genre list for Australian fans

Dark shadows, eerie music and subhuman spooks; the new breed of horror films sweeping the Australian small screen are leaving audiences scared of dark hallways and what lurks behind the bedroom door.

A new study from Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, in conjunction with Dr Mark Ryan from the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), uncovered that Australians are ready to embrace a new type of horror, as the ‘torture porn’ themes of the noughties make room for an ‘inferred fear’ style of horror. Commissioned for the home entertainment release of terrifying horror films Mama and Evil Dead on Blu-ray™, DVD and UltraViolet™ in July, the study revealed that ‘creep out’ films that unnerve the senses are trending again.

Fright Spectrum

Dr Mark Ryan, from QUT, who is an expert on the horror film genre in Australia says: “Since the mid-2000s the horror genre was dominated by what has been labeled the torture porn cycle, movies like gruesome and chaotic Evil Dead, Wolf Creek and the Saw franchise. While torture porn will always have a cult like following, we’re at the end of a long cycle of highly violent movies and the genre is working out a way forward.

“There is a long list of horror sub-genres from werewolf, zombie and vampire movies, to slasher, splatter and cannibal horror, all of which have fluctuated in and out of fashion over the years.

“A horror movie is like a cinematic version of a thrill ride. People watch them to be scared and in the process they get an adrenaline rush, in the same way you get a rush of adrenaline from the thrilling experience of hanging upside down in a rollercoaster.

“Moving away from the 80s slasher horror films that were all about the body count and the suggested fear and teen slasher movies of the 90s, Australia is ready to re-visit implied fear with films like Mama that play with spine-tingling suspense, the fear of the unknown, unnerving music and shady characters,” Dr Ryan said.

“While the horror film category moves into a period of inferred fear with films like Mama, it is difficult to say what the next phase will be as this is commonly determined by something that hasn’t been done before; something that reignites passion for the genre and sparks copycat filmmakers.”

Managing Director of Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Jim Batchelor, says: “It is an exciting time for the horror category because consumers are not quite sure what to expect next.

“Horror films have a passionate, cult like following. This audience drives the genre forward into new, unmarked territory – they hunt for the next film that will push them to the edge of suspense and unchartered severity. We’re feeding them just that with our upcoming slate of horror titles such as Evil Dead, Mama and Curse of Chucky.”

Cultural fears that inspire passion for our own horror movies and shed light on the nation’s cultural anxieties, is the fear of monstrous landscapes and killer animals that are present in films like Wolf Creek and Swerve among many others.

“Australia is a largely secular country, so unlike Asian or European nations there are no deep-seeded fears or superstitions that arise from religious beliefs or supernatural folklore. There are not as many monsters or ghosts from the past looking to haunt us. Looking at the most popular horror movies at the Australian box-office since 1992, moody, atmospheric and psychological horror films such as the Sixth Sense, The Others and Paranormal Activity that try to ‘creep out’ audiences have been more popular than extremely violent movies that try to gross out audiences,” Dr Ryan said.

Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment releases horror films Mama on 11 July and Evil Dead on 25 July on Blu-ray™, DVD and UltraViolet™ coining July as ‘Horror Month’.

 
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AFL 2 Announced!

Tru Blu Entertainment announced today that AFL Live 2 is currently in development and will be released later this year on PlayStation®3 and Xbox 360®. AFL Live 2 promises to deliver a deeper and richer gameplay experience, as well as adding new features to the successful franchise.

 
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Destiny E3 Gameplay Walkthrough Now Live!

 
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Universal Sony Presents Six Collectable Anime Titles

Universal Sony Pictures Home Entertainment presents six fantastical titles bursting with vibrancy, including Serial Experiments Lain, Haibane Renmei, Texhnolyze, A Certain Scientific Railgun Season 1: Part 1, A Certain Scientific Railgun Season 1: Part 2, and Shakugan no Shana S OVA.

Available with limited edition collectable packaging, and both Japanese and English audio, these films are brimming with vivacious characters, exciting themes and spectacular animation, available from July 25, 2013.

 
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PAIN & GAIN | Brand new clips

*NEW* ‘HONEST MISTAKE’ CLIP

*NEW* ‘P***S MAGIC’ CLIP

 
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CLASSIC PILOTWINGS COMING ON Wii U VIRTUAL CONSOLE

Nintendo eShop exclusive: Mighty Switch Force! on sale this week!

5th July 2013Check out this week’s newest downloadable offerings on Nintendo platforms:

Title Platform Available on Price Point*
Pilotwings

(Nintendo)

Wii U
(Virtual Console – Super Nintendo)
Nintendo eShop from 5/7/13 AUD $10.40
(NZD $13.60)
Game Description: Welcome to Pilotwings Flight Club,   where your career can really soar! This Super NES™ classic puts a fun new   spin on flight simulation. Pilot a range   of flying machines and advance through the ranks. Soar through the floating   rings in a biplane. Perform a precision skydive on to a distant target. Catch   the thermals on a hang-glider. You can even test the experimental Rocketbelt! The best graduates will be called on to pilot a   helicopter in a daring rescue mission. With Pilotwings, the sky’s the limit!
PROJECT X   ZONE
(NAMCO BANDAI Games)
Nintendo 3DS
(Download)
Nintendo eShop from 5/7/13 AUD $54.95
(NZD $64.90 )
Game Description:   When a rift in time and space suddenly appears, a doorway to various   universes is opened allowing both heroes and villains from different worlds   to cross paths. Players will be able to take control of a massive selection   of heroes including favourites such as Jin and Xiaoyu (TEKKEN), Toma and   Cyrille (Shining Force EXA), to X and Zero (Mega Man X) and discover the   cause of the rift and stop evil from coming through and spreading into their   world. Enjoy over 50 characters from 29 franchises from Namco Bandai,   Capcom & Sega, including Street Fighter, Tekken, Darkstalkers,   Devil May Cry, Sakura Wars, Tales of Vesperia and many more!
Sonic   Drift 2

(SEGA)

Nintendo 3DS
(Virtual Console – Game Gear)
Nintendo eShop from 5/7/13 AUD $5.20
(NZD $6.80)
Game   Description: Start   your engines and prepare for the race of your life! Choose from seven of your   favorite Sonic characters including Sonic, Knuckles, and Dr. Eggman (AKA Dr.   Robotnik) and race your way to the finish line. Use each racer’s special   ability to gain an edge over the competition and win the fabled Chaos   Emeralds! Race across 17 courses in the ultimate Chaos Grand Prix! Challenge   a friend via local two-player multiplayer! Choose between seven classic Sonic   characters including Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy Rose, and the nefarious Dr.   Eggman!
Vampire:   Master of Darkness
(SEGA)
Nintendo 3DS
(Virtual Console – Game Gear)
Nintendo eShop from 5/7/13 AUD $6.50
(NZD $8.50)
Game Description: The shadow of Dracula has spread over Victorian   England. Make your way through strange and forbidding streets and cavernous   warehouses while fighting his army of monsters. Find Dracula, the Master of   Darkness, and rescue England from his terrifying grasp. Arm yourself with   powerful weapons ranging from swords to bombs and pistols! Defeat terrifying   monsters across five rounds in order to put an end Dracula.
G-LOC™: Air Battle
(SEGA)
Nintendo 3DS
(Virtual Console – Game Gear)
Nintendo eShop from 5/7/13 AUD $5.20
(NZD $6.80)
Game Description:  Strap yourself in and take to the skies   in G-LOC Air Battle. Dive, climb and bank as you outmanoeuvre enemy pilots   and blow them out of the sky with your impressive arsenal. Gain experience   with every mission and equip yourself with more powerful weapons and armour   in order to destroy the Future World Army and bring peace back to the skies.   Challenge a friend via local two-player multiplayer! Trade points earned for   more powerful missiles, high calibre guns and armour upgrades. Nine different   air, land and sea missions.

Special offers

  Platform Available Price
Mighty   Switch Force!™ Hyper Drive Edition (WayForward)

 

 

Wii U
(Download) 

 

Nintendo eShop from 5/7/13
until 11/7/13
AUD $7.33, was $11.00
(NZD $8.66, was $13.00)
Mighty   Switch Force!
(WayForward)
 
Nintendo 3DS
(Download)
Nintendo eShop from 5/7/13
until 11/7/13
AUD $6.00, was $9.00
(NZD $7.50, was $11.25)

 

 

 
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NEW WALKTHROUGH VIDEO RELEASED FOR FINAL FANTASY XIV: A REALM REBORN

Timing for the fourth Beta 3 weekend also revealed
Sydney 5th July – Square Enix today announced that a brand new video, entitled “A Tour of Eorzea, Part 3” is now available for FINAL FANTASY® XIV: A Realm Reborn™. The video is the third part in a series of videos released showcasing some of the most breath-taking areas and environments that make up the realm of Eorzea.

Watch the new walkthrough video, “A Tour of Eorzea, Part 3” at: http://youtu.be/–a6__DnOdc

In addition to this new video, starting timing for the fourth weekend of Beta phase 3 has been announced, and is as follows:

Friday July 5th, 7:00pm AEST time / 9:00pm NZST. (End time for this Beta 3 weekend is still TBC)

Beta phase 3 is running across weekends through June and into July, and brings to life a huge FINAL FANTASY world, full of Moogles, Chocobos and the deep, engrossing storylines that players have come to expect from the series. Those who haven’t signed up for the beta test yet can do so at http://entry.ffxiv.com/beta/eu.

FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn is scheduled for release on August 27th 2013, for both the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC systems, and will be coming to the PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system in 2014.

Related Links 

Beta Sign Up: http://entry.ffxiv.com/beta/eu

Official Website: www.finalfantasyxiv.com

Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FinalFantasyXIV

Official Twitter: @FF_XIV_EN

Official YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/FINALFANTASYXIV

 
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‘NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: ULTIMATE NINJA STORM 3 FULL BURST’ COMING TO PC, PLAYSTATION®3 AND XBOX 360® IN Q4 2013

– Franchise Debut on PC Brings Tons of Ninja-powered Enhancements to Highly Acclaimed Title, with New Retail Pack and DLC Coming for Console Players –

Sydney, Australia – 5th July 2013 – It’s a red letter day for NARUTO fans as NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe announces the official debut of the explosive franchise on PC with NARUTO Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 Full Burst heading to the platform in Q4 2013. The enhanced edition of the acclaimed title will also be available at retail for PlayStation®3 and Xbox 360®, while existing owners of the console game will be able to download the new content as a DLC pack.

Originally released in March 2013 for Xbox 360® and PlayStation®3 to wide critical and fan acclaim, NARUTO Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 has been given a thorough overhaul for its PC debut and console come back.  Not least among the wealth of enhancements is the addition of the much anticipated chapter in which Sasuke and Itachi take on Kabuto in a nail-biting confrontation. 

“We’re very excited to be bringing the incredible NARUTO franchise to PC for the first time, while also bringing extra content to existing console fans of course,” said Olivier Comte, Senior Vice President, NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe. “The NARUTO games series goes from strength to strength, so it’s only right that we should let even more players enjoy it with this PC release.” 

NARUTO Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 Full Burst includes the following additional features:

  • Additional Chapter: Finally free of Kabuto’s control, Itachi intends to crack the Reanimation forbidden jutsu. Will an unprecedented Uchiha alliance with Sasuke be enough to handle it?
  • New playable Character: Kabuto reaches the almighty Sage mode and is now playable in versus mode. Unleash his power and defeat your opponents both offline and online.
  • Director’s Cut Edition:  Discover completely revamped Storm 3 cinematics and experience more intensely than ever the epic conflict consuming the entire ninja world.
  • 100 New Missions: Embark on a whole new series of missions, many with their own uniquely challenging objectives.
  • 38 Additional Costumes: Outfit characters in a selection of 38 costumes from the NARUTO Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 DLC packs.

*Costumes aren’t Full Burst exclusive and therefore not part of the Full Burst DLC 

Full Burst exclusive content will be available simultaneously for existing console players of NARUTO Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 as a Full Burst downloadable content pack.*

NARUTO Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 is the latest vital chapter in the NARUTO video game series and offers unsurpassed immersion in the fabled anime universe. The game features the most extensive character roster of any game so far in the series, and lets fans engage with a huge number of their favourite personalities from the NARUTO universe, including for the first time Naruto (Tailed Beast Mode), Madara and all the Jinchurikis. In story mode, players are thrown into the heat of battle in the 4th Great Ninja War, while the game’s electrifying fights are punctuated with massive scale boss battles, including fearsome confrontations with the Tailed Beasts including the gargantuan Nine-Tails.

NARUTO is one of the world’s best-selling mangas, with the hit anime TV series currently broadcast worldwide to massive audiences.  Since 2003 NAMCO BANDAI Games has been the leading company selling video games based on the NARUTO license.

You can download assets for NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: ULTIMATE NINJA STORM 3 FULL BURST here http://bit.ly/18ztNFU

You can download the new trailer for NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: ULTIMATE NINJA STORM 3 FULL BURST here http://bit.ly/18ztScD

For more information about NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe and its entire line up of games, please visit http://namcobandaigames.com.au

 

 
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NAMCO BANDAI GAMES EUROPE ANNOUNCES ONE PIECE: ROMANCE DAWN

ONE PIECE RPG Breaks Down On 3DS© This November

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – 5h July 2013 – NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe S.A.S announces today that the best-selling manga, ONE PIECE, will be adapted on 3DS. With ONE PIECE: ROMANCE DAWN gamers will get a chance to experience RPG following the authentic Eiichiro Oda’s masterpiece.

In ONE PIECE: ROMANCE DAWN, eager fans will have the opportunity to live all of ONE PIECE epic battles against the most famous bosses such as Buggy, Arlong, Crocodile, Rob Lucci and much more. This new game opens doors to sail through the amazingly 3D drawn ONE PIECE world with Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, Nami and other nakama, and run through famous stages such as Baratie, Arlong Park and more.

RPG lovers will enjoy this journey by levelling up their favourite characters, customizing and crafting tons of new items! They also will be able to perform clever strategy with “Grand Tactical Battles” feature, react quickly, and make a swift judgment to decide their own path by pressing the right button. The “Grand Chain” will also let experienced players unleash their power and connect multiple Special Attacks in a row.

“The ONE PIECE games continue to seduce fans across Europe, ONE PIECE: ROMANCE DAWN brings a full new experience as the very first ONE PIECE RPG to stay faithful to the masterpiece” said Olivier Comte, Senior Vice President, NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe. “As a leading anime license, ONE PIECE is celebrated all over the world. Moreover, ONE PIECE: ROMANCE DAWN will give you the opportunity to be a hero in a super exciting adventure, as a fan, you can’t miss it! ”

You can download the assets for One Piece: Romance Dawn from our press vault via the link: http://bit.ly/18zthrx

You can download the trailer for One Piece: Romance Dawn from our press vault via the link http://bit.ly/18ztmeI

ONE PIECE: Romance Dawn is coming soon to Europe. For the latest news and updates, join us on www.namcobandaigames.com.au

For more information about NAMCO BANDAI Games’ entire line up, go to www.namcobandaigames.com.au

 

 
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NEW TRAILER FOR LIGHTNING RETURNS: FINAL FANTASY XIII – “The Divine Task” Trailer (Japan Expo 2013)

Sydney 5th July – Given its premiere at this year’s Japan Expo event in Paris, this new trailer reveals more about the involving story, exciting action and engaging characters to be included in the forthcoming LIGHTNING RETURNS: FINAL FANTASY XIII.

Watch “The Devine Task” (Japan Expo 2013) trailer at: http://youtu.be/tt5Zz3augD4

Elements in this trailer not shown in previous promotional videos, include:

–        The appearance of familiar character Hope. As Lightning’s trusted partner, Hope provides key information throughout the quest. Mysteriously, Hope is no longer a grown man, but has instead turned back into the boy that Lightning first met.

–        The reveal of new location The Ark. Hope guides Lightning in her endeavours from this space, within which time has ceased to pass.

–        A surprise in the form of series character Fang! She is the leader of a mysterious bandit group residing in The Dead Dunes.

How will you spend your final days?

LIGHTNING RETURNS: FINAL FANTASY XIII is scheduled for release on 13th February 2014, on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

Related Links

Official Homepage: www.lightningreturns.com

Official Facebook: www.facebook.com/finalfantasyxiii

Official FINAL FANTASY YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/FinalFantasyOfficial

Official Twitter: @SQUARE_ENIX_EU