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THQ EXPANDS WWE VIDEOGAME PORTFOLIO WITH RELEASE OF WWE® WRESTLEFEST™ FOR IPHONE AND IPAD

Melbourne, VIC. – February 22, 2012 – THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced the release of WWE® WrestleFest™, a faithfully recreated 2-D experience for iPhone and iPad based on the well-known WWE arcade game made popular in the 1990s.  Complete with current-day WWE Superstars, prominent WWE Legends, an extensive downloadable content program, Road to WrestleMania® progression play and multiplayer functionality, WWE WrestleFest is available now through Apple’s App Store for the suggested retail prices of AUD $2.99 (iPhone®) and AUD $4.49 (iPad®).

In addition today, THQ also announced WWE WrestleFest is in development for additional platforms, including Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®Network for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Android™ and PC, with a currently scheduled release window of calendar year 2012.

“WWE WrestleFest greatly complements our WWE videogames portfolio by delivering a unique and captivating way for fans to connect with the virtual WWE experience,” said Danny Bilson, Executive Vice President, Core Games, THQ.  “The game’s arcade-style play, combined with present day WWE content and hints of nostalgia, is a perfect fit for handheld platforms like the iPhone and iPad.”

 
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Mass Effect 3 Take Earth Back Cinematic Trailer – FULL VERSION

 
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ATTN: Sydney Readers – GAME’s Mass Effect 3 preview night

 
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Rockstar Research: The Rarefied High Life in Max Payne 3’s São Paulo Metropolis

A life of despondency and hopelessness in New York City is left behind by Max for the promise of a fresh start, a new opportunity and a brighter future in one of the world’s most burgeoning foreign markets – São Paulo, Brazil. A chance encounter with an old colleague, Raul Passos, leads to a job offer working personal security for a wealthy South American family – The Brancos – and Max follows a lead traveled by many businessmen and investors over the past decade-plus to the South American powerhouse city that twenty or more billionaires call home.

Today’s installment in our continuing series looking at the research, information and production that went into the making of Max Payne 3 examines the posh life of São Paulo – a city with wealth and power rivaled only by global metropolises of the highest order.
In a series of trips to São Paulo throughout the making of the game, Rockstar developers and Research team members studied the highs and lows of city life to help inform the characters, storyline and situations that befall Max with utmost authenticity. As Max is recruited to work for the rich and powerful Brancos, we needed to make sure the touchstones of this elite and growing segment of Paulistano society was represented appropriately and vividly. São Paulo has directly benefited from some of Brazilian president Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva’s progressive economic policies over the past decade, with so much money now floating around (São Paulo alone represents over 12% of the entire country’s GDP), the city’s name has become somewhat synonymous with prestige and power – Brazilian TV even capitalizing on a Real-Housewives-style reality show starring four women from São Paulo. And for 2012, Forbes named São Paulo the top global city for investors after New York, London and Washington DC, in that order.

There are interrelated problems that plague São Paulo however, forcing wealthy residents to live cautiously and adapt. One is a persistently high crime rate (despite encouraging recent gains) deterring many from feeling too free to stroll the streets in certain areas of the city. Reminders of this are a part of daily life in the city, as more than one cabbie informed us that the fear of carjacking leads many drivers to treat red lights more like stop signs after midnight – and the conspicuous presence of extra beefed-up security is a common sight at entry points to virtually all prestigious points-of-interest from hotels to nightclubs to high-end shops. The other is the notorious traffic that chokes the city at street level – with traffic jams that can extend for well over 100 miles, and where a five-mile drive can take an hour or two. And sometimes the two problems combine with dangerous consequences – the threat of armed, motorbike-riding thieves and kidnappers weaving in and out of traffic (which has inspired not only a spike in bulletproof windows but a proposed law banning moto-passengers) helped fuel the need for an alternative fast and safe means of short-distance transportation for rich Paulistanos. As a result, the elite take to the skies with helicopters – a trend that’s given São Paulo the distinction of having more helicopters than any other city in the world, and has dotted the city’s skyscraper rooftops with helipads galore.

Snapped during an aerial tour of the city and surrounding areas taken by Max Payne 3 developers, helipads are a common sight dotting the tops of city skyscrapers.

Max and helicopter pilot Passos take to the São Paulo skies in Max Payne 3.

That’s just part of a way of life for Paulistano elites that you’ll see come into play in the game as Max works armed private security for the Brancos alongside Passos, who also serves as their personal helicopter pilot. Whether helping family patriarch and industrialist Rodrigo Branco make it to his day-to-day appointments on time by eliminating the variable of street traffic – or for when socialite trophy wife, Fabiana Branco, feels the whim to spend the night drinking and dancing away at one of the city’s hottest nightspots and must arrive in style – Max and Passos are relied on to ensure safe transport by heli.

Fabiana Branco and her sister Giovanna skip the line and arrive in style via helicopter to the exclusive Club Moderno for a night of drinking and dancing, escorted by Max and Passos.

On the outskirts of town, the city’s millionaires and billionaires live in sprawling mansion estates.

Fancy VIP nightclubs like the fictionalized Club Moderno that Fabiana and her sister Giovanna attend in the game serve as nocturnal playgrounds for São Paulo’s rich – with bottle service, layout and décor inspired by continental and international nightclubs and ultra-lounges. While our firsthand research excursions to São Paulo were serious work (really!), developers did get a small taste of the city’s lavish nightlife – from finagling entry to private designer parties at Avenue Morumbi mansions to attending the exclusive rooftop lounge scene at the chic Hotel Unique – which all helped to inform the vibe of the Brancos’ lifestyle. When not partying, or shopping down the upscale Avenida Paulista or Rua Oscar Freire (known as the ‘5th Avenue’ of São Paulo), the super-rich retire to swank multi-million dollar luxury condos in city areas like Jardins, Alto de Pinheiros and Cidade Jardim – or to sprawling mansions located in the suburban outskirts of São Paulo state as seen in some of the aerial photos above we snapped while surveying local views by helicopter.

Be sure to check out a related article from Joystiq that went up earlier today that contains additional images from our aerial tour and more: http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/21/rockstar-explains-the-research-behind-the-posh-clubs-and-helipad/

Stay tuned for our next edition in the Rockstar Research series that looks into the making of the game, where we’ll reveal some of the local casting done in São Paulo to create many of the friends and foes you’ll meet in Max Payne 3…

 
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Spec Ops: The Line Storms Onto Shelves June 29th, 2012

Gamers who pre-order will receive free FUBAR Pack 

Sydney, Australia – February 22, 2012 – 2K Games announced today that Spec Ops: The Line will be available for purchase in Australia and New Zealand on June 29, 2012 for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Windows PC. In addition, fans who pre-order the title from participating retailers will receive rewarding in-game bonuses that enhance the multiplayer experience.

Developed by YAGER, Spec Ops: The Line’s single-player narrative unfolds within the destroyed opulence of Dubai. Once the playground for the world’s wealthiest elite, Dubai has fallen victim to a series of cataclysmic sandstorms. Playing as Captain Martin Walker, gamers will travel through beautiful and tragic environments in this gripping third-person shooter in the midst of unspeakable situations. Spec Ops: The Line will bring a riveting narrative to the military shooter genre, as players fight through Dubai to search for Colonel John Konrad and his missing battalion, The Damned 33rd.

“Spec Ops: The Line is 2K Games’ first foray into the military shooter genre,” said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. “We’ve created a unique game that explores the dark realities of war and places players in difficult situations where the line between right and wrong becomes increasingly blurred as players fight to survive.”

In addition to the single-player campaign, Spec Ops: The Line features an expansive, class-based multiplayer experience. The multiplayer mode features squad-based games that take place in the visually stunning environments of a sandstorm ravaged Dubai. As an added incentive, players who pre-order the game from participating retailers will receive the FUBAR pack, containing the following online multiplayer content:

  • Twice the amount of experience points will be awarded during the first week of play, enabling gamers to expedite character ranking;
  • The AK-47 weapon will unlock at rank one;
  • The “Officer Class” will unlock at rank one. This character class includes several team-based advantages, such as reducing damage to teammates and increasing the effectiveness of other classes;
  • Access to the “FUBAR Pack,” which contains exclusive accessories allowing players to customize their characters with unique and visually distinctive items.

“We’re delighted to officially announce the first details about the multiplayer in Spec Ops: The Line,” said Denby Grace, senior producer at 2K Games. “In addition, people who pre-order the game are going to have an immediate advantage in the multiplayer mode.”

Spec Ops: The Line is rated MA15+ by the OFLC. For more information, please visit www.specopstheline.com.

 

 
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JOIN THE JUST DANCE MOVEMENT WITH JUST DANCE® BEST OF!

Compilation of best tracks from previous Just Dance games to be released on March 29th in Australia 

Sydney, AUSTRALIA – February 22nd, 2012 – Ubisoft® announced the development of Just Dance® Best Of, a compilation of the best tracks and choreographies from the multi-million selling Just Dance franchise. Thanks to this new WiiTM and EMEA (Europe, Middle-East and Asia) exclusive title that will be released on March 29th, 2012 at an attractive price, players will enjoy themselves to the ever famous songs and moves that made Just Dance a phenomenon!

Just Dance Best Of will allow anybody to discover or rediscover tracks available in the previous Just Dance titles*, all recreated with a new revamped design. The track-list will feature 25 hit songs such as:

  • Satisfaction (Isak Original Extended) – Benny Benassi presents “The Biz”
  • Hey Ya! – Outkast
  • Rasputin – Boney M.
  • Firework – Katy Perry
  • Kung Fu Fighting (Dave Ruffy / Mark Wallis Remix) – Carl Douglas
  • U Can’t Touch This – Groove Century
  • Cosmic Girl  – Jamiroquai
  • I Like to Move It (Radio Mix) – Reel 2 Real feat. The Mad Stuntman

Out of those 25 tracks, two are songs that have never been released on any Just Dance Wii™ game in Australia before:

  •  Only Girl (In The World) – Rihanna
  • Airplanes – B.o.B featuring Hayley Williams of Paramore

For more information, please visit: http://justdancegame.au.ubi.com/

* Just Dance, Just Dance 2 and Just Dance Extra Songs

 
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Trailer – Adam’s Venture 3: Revelations

 
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Mario Party 9 Coming Soon!

LET’’S PLAY Wiiii!

FAMILY FUN WITH MARIO AND FRIENDS!

Rivals become teammates to battle Bowser in Mario Party 9, coming to Wii

21 February, 2012
So you thought the party season was over? Well, it’s only just begun as Mario and friends are back in an all-new entertaining family board game as Mario Party™ 9 launches on Wii™ 8th March 2012. The latest instalment in the ever-popular Mario Party™ franchise introduces all-new game modes, battles against bosses and playable characters from the Mushroom Kingdom, making Mario Party 9 a party that everyone will want to be a part of.
The latest addition to the Mario Party series encourages you to think one step ahead of your opponents to collect the most Mini Stars and defeat Bowser. Bowser and his buddies have stolen all the Mini Stars in the sky and it is up to you to achieve the ultimate goal of winning them all back, in order to become the Super Star.

Party Adventure is a new board game mode which rewrites the Mario Party rule book by allowing four people to move through the board in one vehicle. Players take turns as Captain of the vehicle by hitting Dice Blocks to move the party forward, hoping to land on lucky spaces. The vehicles also help to streamline game play and keep everyone involved in the action. This game mode challenges you to work with and against your rivals to compete in exciting Mini games to get the stolen Mini Stars back from Bowser and restore the shimmering night sky.

Mario Party 9 includes 80 brand new Mini games, accessible to all Mario fans and which will find players making pizzas, escaping haunted mansions, and even racing snowmobiles. When playing on a board, the type of space the vehicle lands on determines what type of Mini game is played.

Boss Battle is a brand new Mini game where up to four players must put their differences aside and combine their powers to defeat a series of classic Mario boss characters to collect Mini Stars, leading to a final showdown with Mario’s ultimate nemesis, Bowser. Don’t be fooled into thinking this is a team game though, while you may need to work together to defeat the bosses, you will win Mini Stars depending on your ranking and the amount of damage you have dealt to each boss. Deliver the final blow for a bonus that increases your chances to win.

New Mini game modes also allow you to play Mini games without having to complete a board, ensuring you can always enjoy the action, as and when, you like. You and up to three of your friends and family can hone your skills at any Mini game in Free Play mode, or try the Extras mode that includes Goomba Bowling and the puzzle-based Castle Clearout.

Mario Party 9 features an array of your favourite Mario characters from the Mushroom Kingdom, as well as introducing a few characters which are completely new to the Mario Party series.

With a host of new game options, characters and 80 new Mini games to master, all you have to do now is decide when to host your Mario party.

Let’s Play Wii!

For more information visit: http://gamesites.nintendo.com.au/mario-party-9/en_AU/index.php

 
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FAMILY FUN WITH MARIO AND FRIENDS!

21 February, 2012

So you thought the party season was over? Well, it’s only just begun as Mario and friends are back in an all-new entertaining family board game as Mario Party™ 9 launches on Wii™ 8th March 2012. The latest instalment in the ever-popular Mario Party™ franchise introduces all-new game modes, battles against bosses and playable characters from the Mushroom Kingdom, making Mario Party 9 a party that everyone will want to be a part of.

 

 
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iiNet’s search for the country’s TopGeek returns

21 February 2012: iiNet, Australia’s second largest DSL broadband provider, has announced the return of iiNet’s TopGeek – the search to find the country’s most talented geek through a series of challenges designed to test gaming, fandom, creativity and Internet skills.

TopGeek 2.0 follows last year’s highly successful inaugural contest, and will again see geeks of all types show off their geeky prowess in an attempt to take out the much-sought-after title of Australia’s next TopGeek.

The winner will also score an all-expenses paid trip to the United States to attend one of four ‘geek’ events including ComicCon, Consumer Electronic Show (CES), South by Southwest (SXSW) or Penny Arcade Expo (PAX).

iiNet’s Communications Manager, Anthony Fisk, said the competition encourages everyone to discover their inner geek and embrace it.

“No matter what you’re into, if you’re passionate about something you can be considered a geek, which is why we’ve introduced a variety of entry categories including art, tech, gaming, Internet and fandom,” Mr Fisk said.

“We’ve upped the ante this year. As well as bigger and better challenges, we’ve introduced TopGeek TV – a fortnightly series hosted by award-winning comedian and self-proclaimed geek, Lawrence Leung.

“Being a massive geek myself, I was so excited to be asked to host iiNet’s TopGeek TV that I got a nosebleed. I’m intrigued to see whether the chosen geeks can eclipse me in obsession and obscurity. If they try, I will crush them like an AT-AT on the Planet Hoth.” says Lawrence.

TopGeek TV will air each fortnight from 30 March 2012 until the TopGeek 2.0 final on 10 May 2012 (also hosted by Lawrence Leung). The series will take a closer look at the nerdy stories behind the competition and the geeky finalists.

Last year’s winner and budding comic artist, Cassandra James from Tasmania, will head to San Diego this July for Comic-Con 2012.

To enter the search for iiNet’s TopGeek, or to read the competition Terms and Conditions, check out www.topgeek.iinet.net.au

 
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