CHAMPIONS ONLINE NEMESIS CONFRONTATION BEGINS 11.24.09 

Event to Run Alongside Free-to-Play Thanksgiving Weekend 

New York, NY (November 20, 2009) — Atari, Inc., one of the world’s most recognized videogame publishers, and Cryptic Studios, developers of City of Heroes, City of Villains, Champions Online and Star Trek Online, are pleased to reveal the Nemesis Confrontation event for Champions Online. On November 24, players will face their greatest Nemeses in a battle to protect our universe from being conquered by an interdimensional evil. 

“We wanted to take our unique Nemesis System to the next level and do something really awesome with it,” said Bill Roper, Executive Producer of Champions Online. “So we asked ourselves, what if your Nemesis could band together with your buddy’s Nemesis to take you on? Epic.”

Players will learn that their uniquely handcrafted Nemeses are trying to create a rift into another dimension in a plot to take over the Champions Universe. To save the world, a band of superheroes will need to defeat their ultimate enemies, as well as a host of dangerous alien gladiators and prison guards in an all new environment. The Nemesis Confrontation event will also launch alongside a free weekend of play that takes place between November 26 and November 30. 

Champions Online taps into a rich universe of heroes and villains with unparalleled intrigue and adventure. Cryptic Studios has taken the genre to new heights with Champions Online’s fast paced, “real time” action combat and the power of total customization.  Through Champions’ unique character customization tool the player can create and individualize every component of their hero: name, back story, costume, powers and abilities can all be modified in countless ways.  In addition to allowing players to transform into the ultimate hero, gamers can craft an enemy of the extreme opposite, concoct a villainous history for their ultimate foe and guarantee themselves a truly unique experience.    

To learn more about the Nemesis Confrontation event and to sign up for the free weekend, please visit: http://www.champions-online.com/nemesis_confrontation

Try Torchlight for Free at Perfect World Entertainment

November 19, 2009 – Redwood City, CA – Perfect World Entertainment today announced that players can now try out the highly-acclaimed, action-RPG, Torchlight, for free. The two hour free trial version of Torchlight can be downloaded from the Perfect World portal at http://torchlight.perfectworld.com/. Once the trial time has expired, players can unlock the full version for US$19.99.

Featuring hours of hack-and-slash, dungeon crawling adventure, Torchlight will also offer nearly limitless replayability with the developer tools with the full version.

For more information or to download a trial version of Torchlight from the Perfect World portal, please visit http://torchlight.perfectworld.com/.

About Runic Games, Inc.

Runic Games is a developer of PC-based entertainment software, designing games that focus on quality, approachability, and fun. Runic Games is staffed by a team with experienced members, including leads on “Diablo,” “Diablo II,” “Diablo II: Lord of Destruction,” “Fate,” “Hellgate: London” and “Mythos.” Runic Games is located in Seattle, Washington, United States.

About Perfect World Entertainment

Perfect World Entertainment, a subsidiary of Perfect World Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: PWRD), publishes free-to-play, online games and provides online services in North America. The Company primarily publishes three-dimensional, or 3D, online games based on the Perfect World proprietary Angelica 3D game engine and game development platform. Perfect World Entertainment’s goal is to provide North American users with perfectly polished gameplay, exceptional localization, the highest quality customer service, and an unparalleled online community experience.

For more information on Perfect World Entertainment visit http://www.perfectworld.com/about/aboutus

IMAGE METRICS ATTENDING GAME CONNECT: ASIA PACIFIC CONFERENCE, EXPANDING PRESENCE IN APAC REGION

Company to Introduce Proprietary Facial Animation Technology to Local
Game Developers and Publishers

LOS ANGELES, CA — Nov. 19, 2009 — Image Metrics, the leading provider of facial animation technology and services for the entertainment industry will be attending the Game Connect: Asia Pacific conference being held in Melbourne from December 6 – 8 to meet with game developers in the growing Asia Pacific game development markets. Rounding out its North American and European operations, Image Metrics’ new focus on the Asia Pacific region will make it easier for game developers and publishers worldwide to affordably produce believable facial animation.
 
 “The Asia Pacific market is already a cornerstone of the game development industry, and its importance will continue to grow over the next decade,” said Brian Waddle, executive vice president of Image Metrics. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with developers in this community and look forward partnering with Asia Pacific teams to create emotionally compelling games.”

Image Metrics’ proprietary facial rigging and animation technologies create incredibly realistic facial animation for believable CG characters in games and film. Unlike other facial animation systems, Image Metrics’ video-based technology captures actors’ movements down to eye darts and tongue movements. The data is then rapidly translated onto CG models, and easily integrates with developers’ 3D software packages and game engines. The company has worked on dozens of AAA game titles, including NBA 2K10, Blur and Grand Theft Auto IV.
 
Game Connect: Asia Pacific attendees that would like to meet with Image Metrics in Melbourne can contact the company at Sarah.Whitmore@image-metrics.com.
 
About Image Metrics
Image Metrics provides facial animation services to the interactive entertainment and film industries. Developed by a team of computer vision Ph.D.s, Image Metrics rapidly re-creates facial performances without markers or makeup, achieving levels of realism and fidelity that are unparalleled in computer graphics. Image Metrics’ solutions enjoy widespread adoption by some of the best-known production studios in the entertainment world, including Digital Domain, Rockstar Games and Sony Computer Entertainment. Image Metrics has offices in Santa Monica, California and Manchester, U.K.

The TV phenomenon of 2009 comes to DVD!

MasterChef Australia

MasterClass

MasterChef Australia became the TV phenomenon of 2009, with huge audiences tuning in each night to see who would become Australia’s first MasterChef. More than 3.7 million viewers watched the MasterChef finale, making it the most watched non?sporting event since Australian TV ratings began. Now, for the first time, MasterChef is available on DVD with the release of MasterChef Australia: MasterClass.

Gary Mehigan and George Calombaris are two of Australia’s most respected chefs and restaurateurs; hand?picked to bring their expert knowledge to MasterChef Australia. As mentors to the students, Gary and George shared some of the skills and techniques learnt over the course of their prestigious careers. MasterClass brings together their Friday night classes from the successful first series of MasterChef Australia. MasterClass features twelve easy to follow, clearly instructed classes, with 2?3 recipes covered in each class.

Some of the trade secrets you’ll learn are how to expertly create hand made pasta and to correctly fillet a fish; how to prepare the perfect roast chicken, mouth?watering steaks and delicate pastries and desserts to tempt all who dine at your table. It’s easy to be a MasterChef at home with the recipe selection option on the DVD menu, enabling you to go to straight to your favourite recipe and start cooking! This is a must?have DVD for all fans of the show, budding MasterChefs and anyone who’s ever wanted to ‘plate up’ but just never quite known how!

* Released 1st October 2009 * SRP: $39.95 * Rating: G * Discs: 3 * Approx 408 mins *

CALL OF DUTY®: WORLD AT WAR: ZOMBIES AVAILABLE NOW FROM THE APP STORE 

This Festive Season, Bring the Joy of Slaying Zombies to Your iPhone® or iPod touch® 

Sydney, Australia – November 19, 2009 – This festive season, bring the joy of slaying Zombies to the palm of your hand – Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) and developer Treyarch, announced today the availability of the Apple iPhone & iPod Touch app: Call of Duty: World at War: ZOMBIES.  This mobile version of the hit gameplay mode from Treyarch’s blockbuster title Call of Duty®: World at War delivers upon the experience of one of the most popular and played online games of 2009. Call of Duty: World at War: ZOMBIES offers both single player and the game’s highly-addictive co-op gameplay experience in full 3-D, allowing up to four players to join a game via Wi-Fi, locally or across the Internet, and up to two players via Bluetooth, all on the go! 

“This is a great opportunity for fans of Call of Duty: World at War to take the fight against the Zombie masses wherever they are,” said Mark Lamia, Studio Head of Treyarch. “Zombies is a single player and co-op gameplay mode that people from all over the world have enjoyed playing and have spent countless hours conquering limitless waves of Zombies.”

The Call of Duty: World at War: ZOMBIES App, developed by Ideaworks Game Studio for the iPhone and iPod touch, is available from the App Store  at www.itunes.com/appstore/. 

Introduction of the Call of Duty: World at War: ZOMBIES game on the iPhone and iPod Touch follows the August release of the free iPhone application that allows registered Call of Duty: World at War fans who own iPhones to remotely access important news and updates, and further allows players with linked accounts on www.CoDWaW.com to see key stats from the blockbuster game.  The Call of Duty: World at War Companion has been downloaded more than 800,000 times since its release. 

Call of Duty: World at War is rated “MA 15+ (Strong violence and coarse language, Gaming experience may change online) by the Classification Board.  For more information about Call of Duty: World at War, visit www.CoDWaW.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 Publishing maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Australia, Russia, Japan, South Korea, China and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activision.com. 

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in this press release that involves Activision Publishing’s expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Activision Publishing generally uses words such as “outlook,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “might,” “remains,” “to be,” “plans,” “believes,” “may,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “estimate,” future,” “plan,” “positioned,” “potential,” “project,” “remain,” “scheduled,” “set to,” “subject to,” “upcoming” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause Activision Publishing’s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include, but are not limited to, sales levels of Activision Publishing’s titles, shifts in consumer spending trends, the impact of the current macroeconomic environment, the seasonal and cyclical nature of the interactive game market, Activision Publishing’s ability to predict consumer preferences among competing hardware platforms, declines in software pricing, product returns and price protection, product delays, retail acceptance of Activision Publishing’s products, adoption rate and availability of new hardware (including peripherals) and related software, industry competition, rapid changes in technology, industry standards and consumer preferences, protection of proprietary rights, litigation against Activision Publishing, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, customers, licensees, licensors, vendors and third-party developers, counterparty risks relating to customers, licensees, licensors and manufacturers, domestic and international economic, financial and political conditions and policies, foreign exchange rates and tax rates, integration of recent acquisitions and the identification of suitable future acquisition opportunities, and the other factors identified in the risk factors section of Activision Blizzard’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Activision Publishing and Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Activision Publishing nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Activision Publishing or Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.

ASUS Launches the New EAH5000 Series: Class-leading Graphics Cards
for All Your Computing Needs

Delivering Supreme Overclocking Capabilities and Effective Cooling for Exceptional Graphics Performance 

Sydney, Australia, 19 November 2009 – ASUS today launched the new ASUS EAH5000 Series, a lineup of three graphics cards that cater to a wide spectrum of needs including extreme overclocking, fast-paced gaming and daily computing. Equipped with ASUS’ exclusive Voltage Tweak technology, the ASUS EAH5970/G/2DIS/2GD5 and EAH5770/2DI/1GD5 graphics cards enable users to boost GPU voltages via the SmartDoctor application to enjoy up to a 31%* improvement in performance. The ASUS EAH5770/2DI/1GD5 and EAH5750 FORMULA/2DI/1GD5 feature highly effective cooling solutions capable of up to 13%* better heat dissipation, and boast ASUS’ exclusive Xtreme Design—an effective marriage of hardware, software and material choices—that delivers the performance, reliability and safety DIY users need to enjoy stable and smooth daily computing. 

ASUS EAH5970: The World’s Fastest Graphics Card with Voltage Tweak Technology

Equipped with the exclusive ASUS Voltage Tweak technology, the ASUS EAH5970/G/2DIS/2GD5 allows users to raise GPU voltages from 1.05V to 1.35V, boosting GPU performance from 725MHz to 950MHz, as well as adjusting the memory clock from 4000MHz to 5012MHz. The cumulative effects of these tweaks raise the ASUS EAH5970’s 3DMark® Vantage Extreme preset score from 11,506 to 14,039—an incredible 31%* improvement in terms of GPU clock speed compared to other reference design boards. Gamers and overclockers alike also stand to benefit from the ASUS SmartDoctor utility, which allows them to boost voltages and overall performance with just a few clicks. 

Taking Graphics Further with Windows® 7, DirectX 11® and DiRT™ 2

With the ASUS EAH5970 graphics card’s support for DirectX 11®, it is now possible for users to enjoy new levels of visual realism while playing games and watching videos on the PC. Innovations such as HDR Texture Compression, DirectCompute and Tessellation are engineered to take advantage of all the graphical features within the new Windows® 7 operating system. What’s more, the ASUS EAH5970 is available in a special bundle, featuring the best in off-road racing—Colin McRae: DiRT™ 2. Colin McRae: DiRT™ 2 is one of the most anticipated racing games of the year. It takes full advantage of DirectX 11®, adding realism to the racing environment. Hardware tessellation improves the appearance of water and other surfaces, as well as crowd animations. Utilising the EGO Engine, DiRT™ 2 sets the world of virtual rallying alight, a definite must-have for high adrenaline off-road racing on the PC.

 ASUS EAH5750 FORMULA and EAH5770: Highly Efficient Cooling Solutions for up to 13% Better Heat Dissipation

Heat is the bane of all graphics cards and the new ASUS EAH5750 FORMULA and EAH5770 are designed specifically to deliver highly efficient cooling without compromising performance. The design of the ASUS EAH5750 FORMULA incorporates the aerodynamic properties of a Formula One® racing car, increasing airflow volume by 7% and also diverting heat away from the GPU and other critical components. A heatsink boasting ASUS’ proprietary Micro Surface Treatment improves heat dissipation by up to 14%*, while a fan sporting a unique dust-proof design provides cooling for up to 10,000 hours longer than conventional fans. The result is an improvement in heat dissipation by 13% compared to other reference design boards*. 

In addition to the innovative cooling solutions found on the ASUS EAH5750 FORMULA, the ASUS EAH5770/2DI/1GD5 sports a specially designed fansink that includes a tuning-fork shaped heatsink to increase the heat dissipation surface area by 22%*. The heatsink features a 3.3oz copper rod which is capable of absorbing and dispersing the immense heat generated by graphics cards within a very short amount of time. On top of the unprecedented cooling capacity, the fansink is also 15dB quieter than generic designed fansinks—catering to users who require maximum cooling without excessive fan rotation noise*. 

Designed for Intuitive and Effortless Overclocking and Peace of Mind

The ASUS EAH5750 FORMULA and EAH5770/2DI/1GD5 graphics cards feature Xtreme Design, which includes GamerOSD and SmartDoctor applications for real-time overclocking. These cards are also protected against electromagnetic interference and overcurrent by an EMI Shield and Fuse Protection respectively. They are also the first in the world to feature GPU Guard which offers twice the reinforcement against cracks, forging a more robust connection between the graphics card and the PCB.

Specifications

*Subject to system configuration and usage.

Specifications, PCB color and bundled software versions are subject to change without notice. Please visit www.asus.com for more details

CALL OF DUTY®: MODERN WARFARE® 2 SETS ALL-TIME ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY RECORD GROSSING AN ESTIMATED $550 MILLION WORLDWIDE IN FIRST FIVE DAYS 

Biggest Entertainment Launch in History

Continues to Break Records 

Sydney, Australia – November 19, 2009 – Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdq: ATVI) announced today that Infinity Ward’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 continues to shatter theatrical box office and video game sales records for five-day worldwide sell through in dollars.   The biggest entertainment launch in history set a new worldwide estimated five-day sell-through record of approximately $550 million, according to internal Activision estimates. 

Modern Warfare 2’s launch beat all previous first-and five-day entertainment industry box office, book and video game sell-through records*:

• The largest reported five-day opening worldwide box office gross figures, held by Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ($394 million)
• The largest reported five-day opening domestic box office gross figures, held by The Dark Knight ($203.8 million)
• The largest reported five-day worldwide video game sales record, previously held by Grand Theft Auto IV (6 million units, $500 million)
• The largest reported opening first-day domestic box office gross figures, held by The Dark Knight ($66.4 million)
• The largest reported first-day book sales in dollars, held by Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows ($220 million)
• The largest reported first-day worldwide video game sales record, previously held by Grand Theft Auto IV (3.6 million units, $310 million)  

Modern Warfare 2’s blast radius also extends to Xbox LIVE, in which the blockbuster title’s epic release established the following new standards, according to Microsoft:

• More than 5.2 million multiplayer hours were logged playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 on the first day alone.
• More than 2.2 million unique gamers played Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 in one day on November 10th. A new one-day record for Xbox LIVE.
• More than 11 million achievements were unlocked on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 on the first day. 

“In just five days of sell through Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has become the largest entertainment launch in history and a pop culture phenomenon,” said Robert Kotick, CEO, Activision Blizzard, Inc.  “The title’s success redefines entertainment as millions of consumers have chosen to play Modern Warfare 2 at unprecedented levels rather engage in other forms of media.” 

Despite the success of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Activision Blizzard remains cautious about the U.S. and global economy as well as other variables that can affect industry fundamentals and our own performance, including consumer spending which remains a significant concern. 

Modern Warfare 2 is rated “MA15+” (Strong Violence) by the Classification Board. For additional information about the game, visit www.modernwarfare2.com.

CALL OF DUTY®: MODERN WARFARE® 2 SETS ALL-TIME ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY RECORD GROSSING AN ESTIMATED $550 MILLION WORLDWIDE IN FIRST FIVE DAYS 

Biggest Entertainment Launch in History

Continues to Break Records 

Sydney, Australia – November 19, 2009 – Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdq: ATVI) announced today that Infinity Ward’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 continues to shatter theatrical box office and video game sales records for five-day worldwide sell through in dollars.   The biggest entertainment launch in history set a new worldwide estimated five-day sell-through record of approximately $550 million, according to internal Activision estimates. 

Modern Warfare 2’s launch beat all previous first-and five-day entertainment industry box office, book and video game sell-through records*:

• The largest reported five-day opening worldwide box office gross figures, held by Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince ($394 million)
• The largest reported five-day opening domestic box office gross figures, held by The Dark Knight ($203.8 million)
• The largest reported five-day worldwide video game sales record, previously held by Grand Theft Auto IV (6 million units, $500 million)
• The largest reported opening first-day domestic box office gross figures, held by The Dark Knight ($66.4 million)
• The largest reported first-day book sales in dollars, held by Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows ($220 million)
• The largest reported first-day worldwide video game sales record, previously held by Grand Theft Auto IV (3.6 million units, $310 million)

 Modern Warfare 2’s blast radius also extends to Xbox LIVE, in which the blockbuster title’s epic release established the following new standards, according to Microsoft:

• More than 5.2 million multiplayer hours were logged playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 on the first day alone.
• More than 2.2 million unique gamers played Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 in one day on November 10th. A new one-day record for Xbox LIVE.
• More than 11 million achievements were unlocked on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 on the first day. 

“In just five days of sell through Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 has become the largest entertainment launch in history and a pop culture phenomenon,” said Robert Kotick, CEO, Activision Blizzard, Inc.  “The title’s success redefines entertainment as millions of consumers have chosen to play Modern Warfare 2 at unprecedented levels rather engage in other forms of media.” 

Despite the success of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Activision Blizzard remains cautious about the U.S. and global economy as well as other variables that can affect industry fundamentals and our own performance, including consumer spending which remains a significant concern. 

Modern Warfare 2 is rated “MA15+” (Strong Violence) by the Classification Board. For additional information about the game, visit www.modernwarfare2.com.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 3D storms into IMAX Melbourne Museum  

Get your umbrellas and a hearty appetite ready for a mouth-watering IMAX 3D experience unlike any other, when Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 3D storms into IMAX Melbourne Museum on 26 November 2009, for a limited three week season. 

Inspired by a bestselling children’s book, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 3D follows inventor Flint Lockwood and a brainy weathergirl as they attempt to discover why the rain in their small town has stopped and food is falling in its place. 

Meanwhile, lifelong bully Brent relishes in tormenting Flint like he did when they were kids and Mayor Shelbourne schemes to use Flint’s latest invention – a device designed to improve everyone’s lives – for his own personal gain. 

“Picture a colossal meatball falling out of the sky- that’s what you’ll experience when you see Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 3D at IMAX Melbourne Museum”, said Richard Morrison, IMAX Melbourne Museum Manager. 

Bill Hader, star of Saturday Night Live and Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian, voices Flint Lockwood, a young inventor who dreams of creating something that will improve everyone’s life. Anna Faris, who recently turned heads as the star of the comedy hit The House Bunny, takes on the role of Sam Sparks, a weathergirl assigned to cover the strange phenomenon, who hides her intelligence behind a perky exterior. James Caan plays Tim Lockwood, Flint’s technophobic father. Andy Samberg stars as Brent, the town bully who has plagued Flint since childhood. Bruce Campbell plays Mayor Shelbourne, who figures out that Flint’s invention can put the town, and more importantly himself, on the map, and Mr. T plays the by-the-rules town cop Earl Devereaux. The film also features the vocal talent of Neil Patrick Harris. 

To view the Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 3D trailer go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_MWtP29v6s 

IMAX Melbourne Museum delivers the world’s most immersive film experience. Combined with the world’s third largest screen, 15,000-watt digital audio system, revolutionary projection system and customized theatre geometry, IMAX Melbourne Museum truly does deliver the ultimate film experience. 

Release Date:              26 November, 2009 for a limited three week season

Where:                         IMAX Melbourne Museum, Carlton Gardens

Tickets:                       $22.50 adults, $18.50 concession, $16.50 child, $68.00 family (2 adults & 2 children)

Session times:            www.imaxmelbourne.com.au or 03 9663 5454 

For regular updates join IMAX Melbourne Museum on Facebook | Twitter | Youtube