From the makers of SQUIDS: A modern, old-school brawler with platform agnostic co-op play

MONTPELLIER, France – March 6, 2013 – Mobile gamers, the fight is on! Indie developers The Game Bakers are revealing their next game: Combo Crew, a pocket-sized beat ’em up that combines innovative touch gameplay with good old-fashioned brawling. This action-packed game from the team behind the critically acclaimed SQUIDS and SQUIDS Wild West will release simultaneously for iOS and Android devices this spring.

In Combo Crew, a trio of heroes face off against hordes of enemies to fight their way to the top of the tower where they’re being held hostage. When one hero falls, another can take over to climb the floors and advance the crew toward freedom. Inspired by the best of the arcade-era brawlers, Combo Crew puts a modern spin on classic beat ’em up gameplay with quick play sessions, solo and co-op game modes, a tower level structure, and an endless mode. And it’s the first mobile brawler with cross-platform, asynchronous gameplay, so friends can rescue and revive each other from KO no matter what device they’re using.

“With Combo Crew, we wanted to bring back the spirit of the old console beat ’em ups — the ones you used to play on the couch with your buddies — in a way that makes sense on modern mobile platforms,” says Emeric Thoa, The Game Bakers’ creative director. “Games like Street Fighter and Final Fight require a D-pad controller, and that just doesn’t make sense for touch devices. So we challenged ourselves to make a brawler with really good touch controls. And we’re pretty sure we’ve pulled it off!”

Combo Crew‘s intuitive interface combines highly responsive controls with exciting, tactile gameplay: swipe to attack, tap to counter, and use a two-finger swipe to unleash combo streaks unique to your character’s martial arts skills. When your super combo meter is full you can trigger special moves, racking up massive high scores in the process! See how it all works in the first gameplay video: http://youtu.be/-20DW6gTK6E

Upon its release, Combo Crew will be available for download from the App Store and Google Play. Leading up to launch day, more details will be revealed at http://www.facebook.com/ComboCrew and @TheGameBakers.

What Izzy lacks in experience she makes up for in intelligence. Izzy joins Overstrike 9 after serving as an intelligence broker. Izzy is an effective support operative, using her Shattergun to lift enemies from cover and tossing a Med Beacon to revive downed teammates.

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Today we would like to announce that that the 2012 Game of the Year winning series The Walking Dead is now available for digital download in Australia, New Zealand and Brazil on Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, and in Australia and New Zealand on PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system (Brazil coming soon on March 19th).

Previously only available on other platforms in these regions, all 5 episodes in the critically-acclaimed first season of the game are now available for individual purchase on Xbox LIVE and the PlayStation Network. PlayStation Network players can save with the Season Pass, which compiles all 5 episodes plus a special premium theme.

The Walking Dead has earned Game of the Year honors from over 80 media outlets including Metacritic, USA Today, Wired, E! Online, Yahoo!, The Telegraph, Mashable, Polygon, and GamesRadar, and recently won the BAFTA Video Games Awards for Best Story and Best Mobile Game. The series also triumphed at the 10th annual Spike TV Video Game Awards, taking home Game of the Year, Studio of the Year for Telltale Games, Best Downloadable Game, Best Adapted Video Game, and Best Performance by a Human Female for Melissa Hutchison as the young protagonist, Clementine.

IGN.com gave the final episode of the season an Editor’s Choice Award and a score of 9.5 out of 10 saying, “People will reference the series over and over as the benchmark for story-telling in games,” and summed up the game’s emotional impact by stating, “I cried in the final minutes, sat silently through the credits, and was speechless after the epilogue.”

The Walking Dead is set in the world of Robert Kirkman’s award-winning comic book series.  Players experience life-changing events, meeting new characters and some familiar to fans of the comic book series, in events that foreshadow the story of Deputy Sheriff Rick Grimes. The Walking Dead offers an emotionally-charged, tailored game experience – a player’s actions and choices affect how their story plays out across the entire series.

The Walking Dead is rated ‘MA 15+’ (Restricted) for ‘strong themes and horror violence’ by the Australian Classification Board, ‘R16’ for ‘violence, offensive language and horror’ by the New Zealand Office of Film and Literature Classification, and rated ’16’ for ‘violence’ by the Brazilian Ministry of Justice.

The Walking Dead is also available to download for PC and Macintosh Computers from the Telltale Online Store and other digital outlets and is available as a universal app for compatible iOS devices from the App Store.

For more information on the game, visit the official website, Facebook, and follow Telltale Games on Twitter. For more information on The Walking Dead, Robert Kirkman, and all of his titles, visit www.Skybound.com.

If you have any additional questions regarding this release of any other release from Telltale Games, please feel free to reach out and let us know!

The award winning strategy game from Relic Entertainment is scheduled for release in June.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – March 7, 2013 – SEGA® of America, Inc. and SEGA® Europe Ltd. today announced that Company of Heroes™ 2, the eagerly anticipated strategy game from newly acquired Relic Entertainment, Inc. is scheduled for release on June 25th, 2013 in Australia.

Originally slated for earlier in 2013, Relic Entertainment is using the additional time to help Company of Heroes 2 meet the high standard set by its predecessor, the highest rated strategy game of all time *. Underpinned by the cutting-edge Essence 3.0 Engine™, Company of Heroes 2 brings tactical strategy to life like never before, thanks to the realistic ColdTech™ weather system, the revolutionary dynamic line of sight system, TrueSight™ and realistic destructibility.

Jonathan Dowdeswell, Executive Producer of Company of Heroes 2 commented “Our acquisition by SEGA has given us the chance to work with a new partner that has a great track record of working with long standing PC franchises, It gives us great confidence to know that we have a well aligned team working to bring the best experience we can to gamers around the world.”

“We hate to disappoint our fans with a later than expected date as we know they are eager to play but we feel that the additional time will help the team deliver the high quality sequel fans deserve.” commented Greg Wilson, Producer of Company of Heroes 2. “However, the wait won’t be long as players will soon be able to help us test and balance multiplayer in the upcoming Closed Beta. Details will follow shortly.”

* The original Company of Heroes™ was released on the PC in 2006 to critical acclaim and is currently the highest rated strategy title on Gamerankings.com (with more than five reviews), with an average of 93.82% based on 56 reviews. The game features similar acclaim on Metacritic.com with a Metascore of 93% based on 55 reviews.

Company of Heroes™ 2 will be available for PC in June 2013.

For more information check www.companyofheroes.com

Friends Band Together and Get a Sneak Peek at the Highly Anticipated Action Blockbuster Game Before it Launches March 28

Sydney, Australia. – March 7, 2013 – When the stakes are high, risk it all by going double or nothing! Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) today announced that a downloadable demo for Army of TWO™ The Devil’s Cartel, the next installment of the franchise celebrated for its dynamic two player co-operative gameplay and over-the-top blockbuster action, will be available on Xbox LIVE® Marketplace starting on March 12 and PlayStation®Network starting on March 13.

In the demo, players will step into the boots of private military contractors Alpha and Bravo as they embark on a mission to rescue a kidnapped politician while diffusing an additional hostage situation. From the bottom floor of a dangerous drug lab, to the rooftops of a sky rise, Alpha and Bravo must infiltrate the Cartel’s stronghold and overcome hordes of kamikaze cartel members, all the while working together to survive. With the lives of others on the line, the dynamic duo will need to split up as one player runs into battle face-to-face with their opposition, while the other takes to the sky in a helicopter to man a mini gun and provide cover. Complete with epic explosions, massive destruction and the brand new Overkill feature, gamers will be able to experience the adrenaline and palm sweating action before the game launches on March 28.

Army of TWO The Devil’s Cartel Overkill Edition is still available to pre-order at participating retailers. Gamers who reserve their copy of the game will receive exclusive masks, outfits, a highly destructive co-op contract mission and deadly weapons, including the TAH-9. If customers pre-order their copy from EB Games, they will receive the Army of TWO The Devil’s Cartel Hit-Maker’s Kit, which will give gamers the chance to play as characters portrayed by music megastars Big Boi and B.o.B, along with an additional contract mission and custom designed gear.

In Army of TWO The Devil’s Cartel, players find themselves on the war-torn streets of Mexico as Alpha and Bravo, two operatives working for Tactical Worldwide Operations (T.W.O.), fighting for justice against a dangerous drug cartel. Featuring both online and split-screen co-op, Army of TWO The Devil’s Cartel gives players the chance to distinguish themselves from their friends by providing a deeper and more advanced upgrade and customization system. From the mask that protects them in battle to the very weapons that keep them alive, players can customize their own Alpha and Bravo to create the deadliest mercenary team as they see fit.

Launching on March 28 in Australia, Army of TWO The Devil’s Cartel will be available on the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system. This product is rated r18+ restricted by the Australia Classification Board. For more information on Army of TWO The Devil’s Cartel, please visit www.armyoftwo.com/au, and for the latest news visit www.facebook.com/armyoftwo or follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/armyoftwo. To watch the latest Army of TWO The Devil’s Cartel trailer “Speak of the Devil” visit http://youtu.be/dnDyA5T1pZk.

Players Worldwide Prepare to Create Their Ultimate Cities, Together!

SYDNEY, Australia. – March 7, 2013 – After a 10-year hiatus and more than 23 years of inspiring and entertaining gamers, the king of city builders is back! Electronic Arts today announced that SimCity™ is now available on PC at retail stores across Australia and for digital download via Origin™. It will be available March 8th in New Zealand. Winner of 26 PC best of show awards in 2012 and lauded in over 50 Most Anticipated of 2013 lists, the beloved city-building simulator is back with the series creators at Maxis™ and it’s delivering the most immersive and personal SimCity experience ever, where players can create and destroy the cities of their imaginations.

SONY Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) has partnered with Talenthouse to find creative gaming enthusiasts across Europe, Australia and New Zealand to help bring to life the online multi-player experience on PlayStation® Network

A competition hosted by Talenthouse is looking for creative submissions that illustrate favourite online multi-player moments.

It’s called Way of Play (#wayofplay)

PSN Way of Play (w                         v pl )

n. pl. Ways of Play

A gaming mantra, related to different aspects of online gaming life, that exemplifies why playing online against – or alongside – real living, breathing people rather than computer AI is where gaming comes to life.  For example:

Couples who slay together, stay together

There’s no I in goooooooal!

Actions speak louder than smack-talk

SCEE is inviting creative gamers to submit films, photographs or artwork inspired by their #WayOfPlay. Competition entrants can use PlayStation’s #WayOfPlay mantras for inspiration or create their own. It could be reaping glorious vengeance over a best mate? The friendly tips that have helped you level up? Shedding a tear over a departed companion in Journey or proposing to your partner via the medium of LittleBigPlanet. Or maybe it was that time you wagered a week’s lunch against a colleague on the outcome of a game of FIFA – and won (or lost!).

The 10 best entries (1 of which will be the ‘People’s Choice’ winner voted for by the public) will receive €1,000 cash (or equivalent in local currency) and will have their work broadcast across PlayStation’s websites and social media pages. Additionally, ten runners up will win a PlayStation®Vita and a year’s PlayStation®Plus subscription.

All submitting artists must read the brief and upload an original piece of their own work by the 7th April; this can be in the form of a short film (recommend no more than 2mins) a photograph or design work.  The ten winners will receive €1,000* each and feature on PlayStation’s official online channels.

Participating territories: UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Spain, Nordics, Benelux, Austria, Portugal, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Poland, Russia.

Talenthouse is an influential online community where artists and creatives express their passions and collaborate on unique projects with leading artists and brand, sharing their work and growing their influence. Talenthouse is thrilled to be working with PlayStation, sharing this fantastic creative career opportunity with the global network of artists.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO: Create for PlayStation

TWEETS – #WayOfPlay @Talenthouse @Playstation

First Expansion of 2013 From The Sims 3 Is Available in Australia Today and Tomorrow in New Zealand!

SYDNEY, Australia., Mar. 7, 2013 – Get ready to party with class as the Maxis Label of Electronic Arts today launches The Sims™ 3 University Life Expansion Pack* for PC/Mac and 8th March in New Zealand across retailers and on Origin.com. The Sims 3 University Life introduces an all-new college world for Sims to leave home and embark on a journey to higher education. Not only will Sims attend classes and prepare for exams, they will meet new friends, dabble in different social groups and make memories to last a lifetime. The Sims 3 University Life gives players the opportunity to build new skills, engage in more activities and experiment with objects specific to their major to further their Sims’ lives.