Sydney, Australia, February 6, 2009 – ASUS has announced the release of a new range of widescreen LCD monitors in 24” and 26” that offer brilliant reproduction of colours and boast an HDMI interface.

The VK266H widescreen (16:10 aspect ratio) LCD monitor support 1920×1200 high resolution, Full HD 1080p video playback via an HDMI input, a high 20000:1 contrast ratio, 2ms (gray-to-gray) response time and ASUS’ exclusive Splendid™ Video Intelligence Technology. Splendid™ utilises a colour engine that analyses the properties of video content being played back and automatically optimises image quality for the best visual results in any usage scenario – for the ultimate personal entertainment experience (users can experience this brilliant technology in all ASUS LCD monitors).

Splendid™ features five video preset modes (Theater, Game, Scenery, Night View and Standard) and three skin tone selections (Natural, Reddish and Yellowish) to enable users to further fine-tune the monitors to achieve specific results. Theater mode can enhance the contrast and colour saturation of video content to deliver a cinematic experience. Game mode brings up the dark areas of in-game scenes, enabling users to see creatures cloaked in shadow. Scenery mode increases the brightness range, introduces more contrast gradations and selectively tweaks the colour saturation of key elements such as blue skies and green fields for more captivating land and seascapes. Night View mode smartly highlights the details in dark scenes, capturing the elegance of night footage that is crisp and vibrant. These five video preset modes are conveniently selectable via hotkeys, enabling users to instantly effect changes to display settings according to preferences.

In addition to Splendid™, the VK266H incorporates a host of advanced image processing technologies that further bolsters its performance. These include Trace Free technology that delivers a 2ms (gray-to-gray) quick response time to eliminate image ghosting; ASUS Smart Contrast Ratio (ASCR) technology that amplifies the contrast ratio to an astounding 20000:1; Aspect Control technology that enables the playback of 4:3 images without distortion; as well as DCDi technology which improves the image quality

of fast motion footage through de-interlacing and anti-aliasing. In keeping with ASUS’ recent drive to integrate video conferencing features into its monitors, the ASUS VK266H is equipped with a rotatable 2.0 megapixel webcam with Smart EV (Exposure Value) Control technology to enable high quality and convenient real-time video communications under different lighting conditions. Furthermore, the VK266H features a Component video input (YPbPr) and a S/PDIF digital audio output for more multimedia connectivity options. All four monitors are equipped with stereo speakers that are capable of delivering remarkable audio quality for games, movies and music.

The VK246H with integrated 1.3 megapixel webcam and VW246H also offer an HDMI interface, enabling the delivery of multichannel audio and uncompressed digital video through a single cable for Full HD 1080p quality – perfect for high definition movie playback and gaming. Having an HDMI input ensures convenient connectivity with other home entertainment devices such as Blu-ray disc players and gaming consoles.

The VK266H is now available in Australia from selected retail stores and computer resellers. RRP AU$799 inc GST.

The VK246H and VW246H are now available in Australia and New Zealand from selected retail stores and computer resellers. RRP AU$599 and AU$579 respectively (all prices inclusive of GST).

Friday 6th February 2009 – SEGA Australia Pty Ltd is proud to present the House of the Dead: Overkill collectors ‘Bang Bang Box’, available for a limited time at EB Games, GAME, Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi, and Toys R Us stores. The ‘Bang Bang Box’ includes the House of the Dead: Overkill Collectors Edition with the exclusive Prelude to and Overkill graphic novel plus two Hand Cannons so you can play House of the Dead: Overkill in multiplayer with your mates just like in the arcade! 

House of the Dead: Overkill will be released on 19th February 2009, exclusively for Nintendo Wii. For more information about the game, please visit www.houseofthedeadoverkill.com. For assets, please visit www.sega-press.com.

Friday 6th February 2009 — SEGA® Corporation today announced a worldwide agreement with International Sports Multimedia (ISM), exclusive licensee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), to once again become the sole approved video game publisher of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, Canada. After an?extremely successful series of video games from the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, this exclusive license will allow SEGA to once more publish the only official interactive entertainment software titles of the world’s most famous sporting event.

Through this agreement, SEGA secures the sole rights to publish console, PC/Macintosh, handheld, arcade, and mobile games worldwide. Under this exclusive license, SEGA will publish a wide variety of games with winter sports and events including skiing, skating, and snowboard bearing the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games emblem. 
“Working with SEGA has resulted in Olympic Entertainment Software achieving unparalleled success and we are delighted to support SEGA once again for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games”, says Raymond Goldsmith, Chairman & CEO of ISM.

 “SEGA is extremely excited to once again work with ISM on a series of multi-platform games celebrating the Olympic Games,” says Okitane Usui, Chief Operating Officer, SEGA Corporation. “The Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games offers gamers a collection of exciting sports to master, as well as a stunning location for players to take advantage of. We aim to bring fans around the world an exhilarating experience whenever they play any Olympic title.”

Specific plans for the official video games are to follow. For any additional information on SEGA, please visit www.sega.com or www.olympicvideogames.com.

Friday 6th February 2009 – SEGA® of America, Inc. and SEGA of Europe Ltd today announced a continuation of their existing partnership with Marvel Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:MVL) to include Iron Man 2™, the video game. The multi-platform title is slated to come out in 2010 along with the Marvel Studios film of the same name, a sequel to the 2008 box office triumph distributed by Paramount Pictures.

“We are thrilled to build on the success of the Iron Man phenomenon and work with Marvel and Paramount on another epic project,” says Simon Jeffery, President of SEGA of America, Inc. “SEGA and Marvel are collaborating closely to ensure we deliver an authentic Iron Man experience.”

The game is currently in production at SEGA Studios San Francisco.  SEGA has continued to refine its game engine so that players can expect an entirely new and enhanced gameplay experience. Stay tuned for more information about Iron Man 2, the video game.

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.

About SEGA of Europe Ltd.:
SEGA® of Europe, Ltd. is the European Publishing arm of Tokyo, Japan-based SEGA® Corporation and 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 Europe.  SEGA Europe Web site is located at www.sega-europe.com.
About Marvel Entertainment, Inc.:
Marvel Entertainment, Inc. is one of the world’s most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 5,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years.  Marvel utilizes its character franchises in licensing, entertainment (via Marvel Studios and Marvel Animation) and publishing (via Marvel Comics).  Marvel’s strategy is to leverage its franchises in a growing array of opportunities around the world, including feature films, consumer products, toys, video games, animated television, direct-to-DVD and online.  For more information visit www.marvel.com.

ASUS has been selected from over 100 entries in the first round of assessments in the 2009 Australian International Design Awards.

Both products submitted for consideration – Eee PC S101 and Lamborghini VX3 – were chosen by design professionals from around the world who viewed the full list of entries online, 154 in total. In the next few weeks a panel of international judges will evaluate the Eee PC S101 netbook and Lamborghini VX3 notebook measuring such things as innovation, visual/emotional appeal, functionality, quality/manufacturing, human factors (ergonomics, semantics and safety) and environmental sustainability.

Presented by Standards Australia, the Australian International Design Awards is Australia’s premier design recognition program, competing against international programs including Red Dot and iF.

And in Taiwan…

ASUS stand out winner in Taiwan Excellence Awards

ASUS has attained outstanding recognition in the 17th Taiwan Excellence Awards this year nabbing 53 awards – the most among all contestants. As the top award recipient for the fifth consecutive year, ASUS has been acknowledged for its commitment to developing world-class products and helping to generate a strong Taiwanese brand presence worldwide.

Furthermore, three ASUS products have been nominated for Gold and Silver awards including the recently released Eee PC S101, Bamboo Series notebook and the P552w PDA phone (not yet confirmed for Australian release).

Sponsored and presented by the Board of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), and carried out by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), the Taiwan Excellence Awards supports the effort to improve the international image of Taiwan’s products. Selection is based on criteria including R&D/Innovation, Design Innovation, Quality Systems, Marketing, and Brand Awareness.

About ASUS
ASUS is a leading company in the new digital era. With a global staff of more than ten thousand and a world-class R&D design team, the company’s turnover for 2007 was 6.9 billion U.S. dollars. ASUS ranks among the top 10 IT companies in BusinessWeek’s “InfoTech 100”, and has been on the listing for 11 consecutive years. ASUS was also selected by the Wall Street Journal Asia as No.1 in quality and service in Taiwan. For more information, visit www.asus.com.au.

AUSTRALIA – February 4, 2009 – Today Ubisoft announced it will be expanding its studio operations to Vancouver, BC, Canada through the acquisition of video game developer Action Pants Inc.  This marks Ubisoft’s first in-house development studio on the North American West Coast.

Established in 2006 by industry veterans Simon Andrews, Nik Palmer and Omar Al-Khafaji, Action Pants Inc. currently employs more than 110 video game developers. Based in the trendy Yaletown area, the studio was ranked as one of the province’s Top 50 employers in 2008 and 2009, and among BC Business magazine’s “Best Companies to work for in BC in 2007.” 2009 will see the release of the studio’s first title, a sports game developed exclusively for Wii™.  This new intellectual property will expand upon Ubisoft’s recent success in the sports genre with the Shaun White Snowboarding franchise.

“We have been looking closely at Vancouver for some time, as we wished to set up a presence in what is one of the industry’s biggest talent pools,” said Christine Burgess-Quemard, executive director of worldwide production studios at Ubisoft. “The creative talent at Action Pants made the decision an easy one, and we are delighted to both establish ourselves in the region as well as welcome a fantastic group of experienced developers who can start exchanging with our other teams worldwide.”

 “We are very excited about this opportunity, and how it will benefit our studio” stated Simon Andrews, co-founder and executive partner of Action Pants Inc. ”Action Pants and Ubisoft share very similar values and we are confident that this synergy will provide all of our staff with new and exciting opportunities, as well as resources that will benefit all of our future products”.

“Expanding the Arsenal” episode of the “Halo Wars” behind-the-scenes video documentary series now available 

Microsoft Game Studios and Ensemble Studios invite everyone to meet the Spartans of “Halo Wars” and the powerful units they will have at their command in the exciting new action strategy game for Xbox 360. In the second episode of the “Halo Wars” video documentary series titled “Expanding the Arsenal,” fans can continue their behind the scenes journey with the game’s creators as they explore the unique features of key units and their special battle capabilities.

Just released today, the newest episode of the “Halo Wars” video documentary series is available for download on Xbox LIVE and ProSource, and can be viewed at www.xbox.com/en-AU/games/h/halowars/.  

“Halo Wars” is rated PG and will be available starting on February 26th in Australia. A demo will be available on Xbox LIVE starting February 5th in all LIVE enabled regions worldwide.  For more information, visit www.xbox.com/en-AU/games/h/halowars/ or HaloWars.com.

Walt Disney’s original classic that inspired the world To Wish Upon A Star
 
To celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Pinocchio, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment is releasing one of its most celebrated and loved Platinum Editions from the Disney Vault on DVD and Blu-ray from 11th March 2009. 

The legendary masterpiece that inspired millions to believe in their dreams has reawakened with an all-new, state-of-the-art digital restoration that shines brilliantly on 2-Disc DVD and 3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack. Full of Academy Award®-winning music, including 1940 Best Original Score and Song, brilliant animation and a heartwarming story that has inspired millions, Pinocchio reminds us all of the power of love, family and believing in your dreams.

Join Geppetto’s beloved puppet – with Jiminy Cricket as his guide – on a thrilling quest that tests Pinocchio’s bravery, loyalty and honesty, virtues he must learn to become a real boy. It is the little wooden puppet’s greatest wish to become a real boy, but first he must prove himself worthy. With the help of his Cricket conscience, Jiminy, Pinocchio promises to be brave, loyal and honest.  Unfortunately, when he breaks his promises and his nose begins to grow and grow and grow – it leads to a challenging test of his true character. The one and only Pinocchio will live on forever in the heart of anyone who has wished upon a star.

Pinocchio showcases voice art from Richard ‘Dickie’ Jones (Pinocchio / Alexander), Mel Blanc (Cleo / Figaro / Gideon), Walter Catlett (Honest John), Cliff Edwards (Jiminy Cricket / Narrator), Christian Rub (Geppetto), Evelyn Venable (The Blue Fairy), and Charles Judels (Stromboli).

Following the magical tradition of other Platinum Disney titles, including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs; Beauty and The Beast; The Lion King; Aladdin; Bambi; Cinderella; Lady and The Tramp; The Little Mermaid; Peter Pan; The Jungle Book; and 101 Dalmatians – Pinocchio 70th Anniversary Platinum Edition is a must-have for every Disney collection. 

In addition to enhanced sound and vision, Pinocchio 70th Anniversary Platinum Edition on Disney DVD and Blu-ray™ boasts spectacular bonus materials including an all-new music video of When You Wish Upon A Star music video by Meagan Jette Martin; a fantastic Disney song selection to sing along to your favourite Pinocchio songs; exclusive audio commentary with Leonard Maltin, Eric Goldberg And J.B. Kaufman; deleted scenes; original theatrical trailers and much, much more.

As more and more families transition to high definition, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment continues to concentrate its efforts on offering consumers unprecedented quality, value and portability in the purchases of their favourite Disney Blu-ray movies with its new Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs. 

Following the successful introduction of the Sleeping Beauty 50th Anniversary Platinum Edition Blu-ray and DVD Combo Pack 3-Disc collection in 2008 (Blu-ray + DVD in a single package), the Pinocchio 70th Anniversary Platinum Edition Blu-ray release will include the feature film on standard definition DVD in addition to the 2-Disc Blu-ray set to allow consumers without Blu-ray players to ‘future proof’ their collections.

Sydney, Australia – February 4, 2009 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that The Sims™ 3, the highly-anticipated flagship game from the best-selling PC franchise, The Sims will launch across the PC, Mac, iPhone, iPod Touch and mobile devices winter 2009. The Sims 3 PC will ship to store shelves worldwide starting June 4, 2009.  

 “The Sims 3 is an incredible game that lets you play with life, create art and show off your creations,” said Ben Bell, Executive Producer, The Sims 3. “In the game, players are inspired by endless creative possibilities like the new Traits and Lifetime Wish features which allow players to create Sims with real personalities and destinies. Players can then take their Sim into town to interact with other Sims in the game and capture the action on video to show off online.” *

“The June launch combined with the break-through game the team is building gives us the perfect runway to create awareness for The Sims 3,” said Russell Arons, Vice President of Marketing for EA. “The Sims 3 will be the original IP winter blockbuster of 2009 as we build off the success of the best-selling PC franchise of all time to create awareness with both loyal Sims fans and new players.”

For more information about The Sims 3, please go to www.TheSims3.com. The Sims 3, developed by The Sims Studio, is also in development for Mac, iPhone, iPod Touch and mobile devices. To download artwork, please visit www.info.ea.com.

* INTERNET CONNECTION required.  See product pack for details.

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