Tuesday 17th February 2009 – SEGA Europe Ltd. and SEGA of America, Inc. today announced that the Virtua Tennis series will, for the very first time, be released on the Wii™ system and will hit stores in May 2009. 
Wii owners will finally be able to take to the courts in the fans number one tennis game, boasting all the features and arcade action that has made Virtua Tennis the most critically acclaimed and best selling tennis series available.  Virtua Tennis 2009 for Wii includes the same impressive player roster as Virtua Tennis 2009 on other platforms, meaning top stars such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams will all be in game, as well as players new to the series such as Andy Murray and Ana Ivanovic.  Over 40 vibrant court environments will be playable within single player, multiplayer and online modes giving Virtua Tennis 2009 an impressive online and offline depth for a Wii title.

“So many features of the Virtua Tennis series are perfect for the Wii platform,” commented Gary Knight, European Marketing Director SEGA Europe. “SEGA are excited to be able to finally bring this to fruition, and the multiplayer Court Games in particular will be great fun to play with the whole family in the comfort of their homes!”
The list of Court Games has also been updated for Virtua Tennis 2009, meaning the return of old Virtua Tennis favourites, some revamped classics and 5 new games. Virtua Tennis 2009 for the Wii will also include the official Davis Cup® license and the World Tour Mode, which will allow Wii owners to experience Virtua Tennis online.

In addition to the Wii version, Virtua Tennis 2009 is due for release on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and the PC in May 2009.  Further information relating to the content of the game will be available over the coming months from the official website of the game – www.virtuatennis2009.com. For all press assets on Virtua Tennis 2009 and other SEGA games, please visit www.sega-press.com.
About SEGA Europe Ltd.:
SEGA® Europe Ltd. is the European Distribution arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA Corporation, and a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home. The company develops and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. SEGA Europe’s web site is located at www.sega-europe.com.

About SEGA of America Inc.:
SEGA® of America, Inc. is the American arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA Corporation, a worldwide leader in interactive entertainment both inside and outside the home.  The company develops, publishes and distributes interactive entertainment software products for a variety of hardware platforms including PC, wireless devices, and those manufactured by Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.  SEGA of America’s Web site is located at www.sega.com.

The Upper Forum – Thursday 2 – Sunday 26 April (excluding Mondays)

Bookings at www.ticketek.com.au or 13 2849

“Meet magic’s best card shark”

– Sydney Morning Herald 

‘Galea is a winning mix of bravado and youthful candour’

– The Australian 

Australian Magician of the Year James Galea is about to hit the 2009 Melbourne International Comedy Festival with his latest show I Hate Rabbits. Breathing new life into the dying art of magic, James trades the traditional rigid tuxedo and stiff top hat for a pair of sneakers, ripped jeans and a tee shirt. 

Direct from sell out shows last year at the Flamingo Casino in Las Vegas, and Hollywood’s Magic Castle – the Holy Grail for magicians – James’ show is vastly different to the stereotypical ‘pull a rabbit out of a hat’ performances from most magicians: ‘Often you see the same tricks, by the same people, in the same format. I wanted to create a show that I knew my friends and I would want to see’. 

James started learning magic at age 14. He thought his mentor was a musician, but: ‘the guy was a professional card shark. I didn’t know that at the time. He took me under his wing and when I thought I was learning magic I was actually learning some expert card techniques’.   

It was in the field of close up magic that James discovered his unique talent. His charismatic performances soon attracted notice and in 2000 at just 20 years of age, James was awarded ‘Magician of the Year’.  

With his unique blend of magic, music and comedy, James Galea disarms audiences with his youthful charm and astonishes them with his talent. Energetic and effortlessly cool, James and I Hate Rabbits breathe new life into the art of close up magic, combining spectacular illusions and original music with a wicked charm and a hell of a lot of fun.

http://www.familyskiandsnowboard.com/ 

The website has now launched! Coming in March 2009

– Featuring a Complete Mission, Full Range of Units to Command and Complete Unit Customization Options, the Cold War is In Your Hands  –

The single player demo for Atari’s forthcoming real-time strategy title Codename Panzers: Cold War is available now for free download via the game’s official website at www.codenamepanzerscoldwar.com.  Featuring an entire mission (mission 11 of the final game), players will command special forces infantry as they attempt to take control of an occupied island by any means necessary.  

The demo gives players every unit available in the mission to command, with a full range of customization options available.  A second demo showcasing the multiplayer gameplay will be available before launch.

Codename Panzers: Cold War represents the pinnacle of Cold War era conventional warfare including real world post-war heavy armor battles between heavy tanks like the American M103 and the Russian Troyanov.  The signature Codename Panzers ‘Point of Interest’ system takes the gameplay beyond build-and-rush, while special urban warfare tactics and dynamic weather create even more gameplay depth and realism. 

Codename Panzers: Cold War is scheduled for release in March 2009.  For more information and to download the single player demo please visit the official website at  www.codenamepanzerscoldwar.com.

Sydney, Australia – February 16, 2009 – Once honoured by Metallica with seven Motörhead covers performed as “The Lemmys,” GRAMMY® Award-winning legend and lead vocalist and bassist of Motörhead, Lemmy, will take his rightful place on stage alongside Lars, James, Kirk and Robert in Activision Publishing Inc.’s Guitar Hero® Metallica® this autumn. 

Budding rockstars will have the opportunity to experience Lemmy’s in-game likeness as he wails away on vocals and shreds his bass guitar – or play as the icon himself.  The rock ‘n’ roll legend, born Ian Kilmister, will have a familiar tune with him as Motörhead’s 2008 re-record of “Ace of Spades” rocks its way into the set list.

Lemmy says, “It’s great to be in Guitar Hero with all these famous people and I’m really pleased to be in it with Metallica…but James is still taller than me.”

“Ride the Lightning” with musical icons Metallica and 21 other rockin’ acts in an all new Guitar Hero® experience – Guitar Hero Metallica.  Enter the world of Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo and experience the intensity and skill of one of the greatest bands of all time.  Shred on the guitar controller, rip on the drum kit controller and wail on the mic to a set list featuring over 45 explosive hits from Metallica’s illustrious career and a wide variety of other legendary artists personally selected by the band, such as Alice In Chains, Bob Seger, Foo Fighters, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Queen.  Fans will be able to rock as Metallica while performing in venues reminiscent of the band’s epic album covers, themes from their music and real world locales.

Guitar Hero Metallica is being developed by Neversoft Entertainment for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system.  The Wii™ home video game system from Nintendo and the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system versions are being developed by Budcat.  The game is rated M (Infrequent Coarse Language) by the Classification Board.  For more information about Guitar Hero Metallica, please visit guitarhero.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 maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, Japan and South Korea. 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 help 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 (including next-generation hardware), 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 and related software, industry competition, rapid changes in technology and industry standards, protection of proprietary rights, litigation against Activision Publishing, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, customers, vendors and third-party developers, domestic and international economic, financial and political conditions and policies, foreign exchange rates, integration of recent acquisitions and the identification of suitable future acquisition opportunities, Activision Blizzard’s success in integrating the operations of Activision Publishing and Vivendi Games in a timely manner, or at all, and the combined company’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits and synergies of the transaction to the extent, or in the timeframe, anticipated, and the other factors identified in 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.

– LG’s Focus on Data and Voice Devices Complements Existing Strong Relationship Around Notebooks and Netbooks –

MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS, Barcelona, Spain – Feb. 16, 2009 – LG Electronics (LG) and Intel Corporation today announced a collaboration arund mobile Internet devices (MIDs) based on Intel’s next-generation MID hardware platform, codenamed “Moorestown,” and Linux-based Moblin v2.0 software platform. The LG device is expected to be one of the first Moorestown designs to market.

LG and Intel’s common goal is to unleash rich Internet experiences across a range of mobile devices while delivering the functionality of today’s high-end smart phones. The collaboration on the new design extends a close working relationship the two companies have enjoyed across their respective mobile product lines, which now spans the notebook, netbook and MID categories.

“The MID segment will drive growth at LG Electronics. We chose Intel’s next-generation Moorestown platform and Moblin-based OS to pursue this segment because of the high performance and Internet compatibility this brings to our service provider customers,” said Jung Jun Lee, executive vice president of LG Electronics and head of its Mobile Communications Business Division. “The collaboration with Intel on the MID platform has been valuable and further extends our longstanding relationship. Our efforts are well on track and we look forward to bringing the MID to market.”

LG launched a netbook, based on the Intel® Atom™ processor, in the fourth quarter of 2008, and has been supplying the mobile companion device to carriers and retailers worldwide. LG also continues to ship notebooks based on the Intel® Core™ processor. 

MIDs represent an emerging growth category in the industry and are designed to bring a rich, interactive, PC-like Internet experience in pocketable devices. The experience on a MID will help usher in the many new Internet trends performed predominantly on a PC to mobile devices.

“Moorestown” is the codename for Intel’s second-generation MID platform, which consists of a System on Chip (codenamed “Lincroft”) that integrates a 45nm Intel® Atom™ processor core, graphics, video and memory controller. The platform also includes an input/output (I/O) hub, codenamed “Langwell,” that includes a range of I/O blocks and supports wireless solutions.

Intel’s “Moorestown”-based MIDs are expected to reduce idle power consumption by a factor of greater than 10 versus today’s Intel Atom processor-based MIDs. Additionally, the Moorestown platform will be accompanied by a newer Moblin software version, Moblin v2.0, that is based on the Linux operating system. This software is designed specifically to deliver a great PC-like Internet experience while also supporting cell phone voice capabilities. The “Moorestown” platform is expected to come to market by 2010.

“LG Electronics makes some of the most innovative computers and smart phones in the world and is known to be a leading-edge player in every market segment they serve,” said Anand Chandrasekher, Intel Corporation senior vice president and general manager of the company’s Ultra Mobility Group. “We look forward to providing them some fantastic Intel products that will deliver the best Internet experience while dramatically reducing power –contributing to the development of ultra sleek devices that offer superb battery life.”

In order to offer a variety of network connections and Internet access, LG is also working with Ericsson to bring 3G network capability to its planned MID. This is an extension of the existing collaboration between the companies. LG has been supplying notebooks and netbooks with mobile broadband modules from Ericsson since the third quarter of 2008.

“We are glad that LG Electronics has chosen Ericsson to provide 3G capabilities in its Intel-based MID. We are working with LG and Intel to deliver industry-leading 3G capabilities on the Moorestown MID,” said Mats Norin, vice president and head of Ericsson Mobile Broadband Modules. “Ericsson’s unparalleled relationships with global service providers will be instrumental as we define plans with LG to take this MID to market across multiple geographies around the world.”

VIEW: http://uplay.uk.ubi.com/videos/wpeocg6o-world-in-conflict-gameplay-trailer-1-berlin-1989.htm

Highly Anticipated Sequel to Critically Acclaimed F.E.A.R. Ushers in

New Dimension of Paranormal Horror 

Sydney, Australia – February 13, 2009 – F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, developed by Monolith Productions and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, ships to retail stores across Australia today for Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Games for Windows®.  F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin is the sequel to F.E.A.R., the critically acclaimed supernatural first-person shooter, and ushers in a new dimension of paranormal horror, cinematic combat and highly kinetic action.

F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin is a blend of advanced visceral combat mixed with seamless game pacing set inside a sinister and paranormal universe that begins shortly before the ending of F.E.A.R.  A Special Forces squad is on a routine mission when the city of Auburn is rocked by a supernatural explosion.  Alma, a girl with immense power and a thirst for revenge, has unleashed her wrath upon the city and thrown it into chaos. Tension builds as the squad must combat enemy forces and the supernatural as they struggle to find a way to stop Alma and uncover the mysterious forces arrayed against them before it’s too late.

As players move throughout the smoldering remains of Auburn in search of Alma, they must investigate the crumbling remains of schools, hospitals and alleyways as they are stalked by otherworldly creatures and enemies. Gamers will need to use everything at their disposal, including all-new weapons and superhuman abilities, to fight the supernatural forces arrayed against them and keep the entire city from succumbing to Alma.  

In addition to a gripping single-player campaign, F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin supports up to 16 players for action-packed multiplayer match-ups. Multiplayer options include nine maps, four modes and a powerful mix of weapons, grenades and high tech machinery, including the Elite Powered Armour (EPA) mech suits that players can take control of in both multiplayer and single-player action.

F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin is rated MA15+ in Australia and is available for Xbox 360 and PLAYSTATION 3 for the suggested retail price of $99.95.  It is also available for Games for Windows for the suggested retail price of $89.95. 

About Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all current and future platforms, including console, handheld and PC-based gaming for both internal and third party game titles.

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH shows capitalism gone mad in Hudson Soft’s latest party classic!
Thursday 12th February 2009 – Atari, one of Australia’s leading sources of interactive entertainment and Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has announced Job Island – a stunning collection of mini-games set within an umbrella theme, which has been created by Hudson Soft and will be released for Wii in March 2009.

Job Island was formerly known as Hard Working People, but has been renamed following the huge success of Hudson Soft’s similarly-themed Sports Island, which also used the concept of fun-orientated mini-games to such good effect.

A series of huge meteors are heading to Earth and only the diligent hard work of those enrolling for Job Island can save it! Only by raising cash by being successful at 50 jobs, can the player buy the items needed to prevent the meteors from ending all life as we know it. Thus, with three game modes on offer, Job Island steps up as one of the most ways to save the planet that you are ever likely to see!

In Story Mode, the player is charged with taking on a diverse range of jobs and out-performing those around you to accrue money. Players browse the in-game ads to find jobs they are interested in, with careers ranging from body-building, cooking, cameraman, ER Attendant, deep-sea explorer, stunt person, make-up artist and so on. Each chosen profession has three difficulty levels and enjoys a dedicated sub-game where players compete against friends, with the most successful awarded the day’s pay.

These earnings can then be spent on items to further enhance your chances in later career choices – uniforms, useful items, etc – or to put towards the anti-Meteor devices needed to save the Earth. Job Island thus becomes a tough juggling act, with later stages adding ever-improving players out to win the money, while the pressing need to destroy the meteors acts as an ever-present time limit.

Job Island enjoys the same quirky, ever-entertaining gameplay of its sister title Sports Island, and demonstrates Hudson Soft’s skill at producing fun, competitive games for the family. The two-player game will see friends go head-to-head, while a series of Training modes allow users to hone their skills in the various career paths on offer. A total of 30 mini-games are accessible in the single player mode from the beginning, with more challenges being unlocked through the Story Mode.

Atari Australia is the exclusive distributor of Konami games in Australia and New Zealand.
For more information on Atari’s entire product line-up please visit www.atari.com.au and log onto the Atari Trade Site for all box shots, demos, trailers and online screenshots.

The Two Most Famous Video Game Icons Return For Another Olympic Competition 

Friday 13th February 2009 – SEGA® Corporation and Nintendo Co., Ltd today announced that two of the biggest video game heroes, Mario™ and Sonic™, will be coming together again, this time taking their rivalry to the snow and ice in another officially licensed Olympic-themed smash hit Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games™.  Heading to stores late in 2009 on the Wii™ home video game system and Nintendo DSä, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games will take players to Vancouver, Canada, host city of the official 2010 Olympic Winter Games. This gaming experience invites players of all ages and skill sets to face-off in some of the most intense winter competitions available for the Nintendo platforms.