Sony Computer Entertainment Australia (SCE Aust.) have today unveiled the content details of the God of War: Ascension Collector’s and Special Editions to be available at launch on March 14, 2013.

God of War: Ascension Collector’s Edition

Content includes:
• The ultimate GoW collectible, a 8″ Kratos figurine
• Premium steel book game case
• Double XP bonus for multiplayer and a DLC pass to unlock all future DLC for the game at no additional cost (more to follow on these soon)
• Mythological Heroes Multiplayer Pack
• Official game soundtrack (digital version)
• PS3 dynamic theme and an avatar pack

God of War: Ascension Special Edition

Content includes:
• Premium steel book game case
• The multiplayer double XP bonus,
• Official game soundtrack (digital version)
• PS3 dynamic theme and an avatar pack

For more information on pre-order bonus’ and stockists, please visit: http://au.playstation.com/ps3/news/articles/detail/item535969/

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA, Oct. 11, 2012 — THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced that the company has signed a new distribution agreement with All Interactive Entertainment (AIE), a subsidiary of All Interactive Distribution (AID).  Through this agreement, AIE will distribute THQ’s product line through its established retailer channel in Australia.

Ian Curran, THQ’s EVP, Global Publishing, said, “The evolution of our distribution model in the Asia Pacific region will allow us to increase our reach with a lower cost model.  AIE is a trusted business partner with whom we have worked with for many years as our distributor in New Zealand. We believe the company will benefit from AIE’s backing and comprehensive distribution network across Australia.”

“We are delighted to broaden our relationship with a top publisher such as THQ,” said Robert Kingston, Director of AIE.  “We look forward to bringing THQ’s highly-anticipated new video game releases and existing game portfolio to our retail network in the territory.” 

As a part of the new distribution strategy, THQ will close its publishing office in Melbourne in the coming months.

Episode Four – Around Every Corner available now on PlayStation®Network*, PC   and Mac, and on the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360® video game and   entertainment system from Microsoft

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Oct. 10, 2012 — Leading publisher of digital entertainment Telltale Games and Robert Kirkman, the Eisner Award-winning creator and writer of The Walking Dead for Skybound and Image Comics, announced today that ‘Around Every Corner’ the fourth episode of their five-part game series is now available for download.

Written by Gary Whitta, the screenwriter behind The Book of Eli starring Denzel Washington and the upcoming film, After Earth starring Will Smith, episode four of The Walking Dead continues the story of Lee Everett in the bleak and horrific aftermath of a zombie apocalypse.

As episode four begins, and in the wake of terrible loss, the group of survivors arrives in Savannah, Georgia.  Stalked by an unseen human threat and with the constant menace of the undead, Lee struggles to manage the tensions of an increasingly paranoid group and above all, protect 8-year old Clementine, a girl in search of her parents in the wake of the undead plague.

Leading games publication Game Informer says Telltale’s game series is,”Gripping, emotionally-charged, and completely blindsiding – The Walking Dead is one of the most talked about releases this year,” while British national newspaper The Independent said that episode three, “moves the series beyond the merely great, to the downright essential,” and Yahoo! Games also said it featured “…one of the most breathtaking in-game moments we’ve ever experienced.”

The Walking Dead has received critical praise since its debut in April, winning Editor’s Choice awards from outlets such as IGN.com, PC Gamer and Official Xbox Magazine, as well as a Golden Joystick nomination. The New York Times has praised the game’s emphasis on emotion, drama, and narrative, saying of episode one that, “…moments have more sadness and subtlety in them than other games muster in 40 hours.”  

In their review, IGN.com said that episode four, “…does what a good pre-finale episode should do: it makes the wait for episode five unbearable,” also adding, “…the vocal performance here is stunning with each actor nailing his or her character, and the comic art style sings with the muted colors and a graphic novel feel.”

Episode three of The Walking Dead will be available for iOS devices (compatible with iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPad 2 and the new iPad) later this month with episodes four and five (the season finale) arriving later in the year. The full series is scheduled to launch this year as a retail product in North America for Xbox 360®, PlayStation®3 and PC.

Each episode of The Walking Dead is available for $4.99 or as a $19.99 season pass on PlayStation®Network; for 400 Microsoft®Points per episode on the Xbox LIVE Marketplace for Xbox 360, and as a $24.99 five-episode season pass for PC and Mac from the Telltale Online Store, Steam, and other digital outlets.

The Walking Dead is also available for iOS devices via the App Store as Walking Dead: The Game, for $4.99. Episodes 2-5 can be bought as in-app purchases for $4.99 each or as a multi-pack bundle for $14.99 (saving 25% over individual episode purchases).

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

The Walking Dead: Episode Four – Around Every Corner is rated ‘M’ (Mature) for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, and Strong Language by the ESRB.

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.North America; other territories coming soon.

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has announced the Australian release date for Silent Hill: Book of Memories on PlayStation(R)Vita, as November 8th.

Sydney, Australia, Oct 11 – Developed by WayForward, the new game marks the first appearance of the acclaimed horror series on PlayStation(R)Vita. The game also introduces multiplayer elements to the series for the first time, as players work together within the mist-shrouded areas of the titular town.

Silent Hill: Book of Memories begins with the player selecting a customisable character. The player then receives a book which, it transpires, has the power to change the past. The action takes the form of a skewed top-down adventure with the emphasis on action and exploration. Players are thus challenged to solve a series of tests and puzzles which rewards them with puzzle pieces that are needed to access the next area.

A wide range of Silent Hill elements and adversaries make a welcome return as the player finds out more about the book, and in multiplayer mode players work together in a quest to gather the puzzle pieces and conquer the huge boss creatures which punctuate the gameplay. Silent Hill: Book of Memories also allows users to share Items between characters, including items to restore lost health and to boost endurance.

With a soundtrack by Dexter composer Daniel Licht, Silent Hill: Book of Memories opens a new chapter on terror, as players become embroiled in another terrifying visit to KONAMI’s horror series. The game will be available as both a physical product and to download via PlayStation(R)Network.

Arkane Studios’ Highly Anticipated First-Person Action Game Hits Stores

Sydney, Australia – October 11, 2012  –  Bethesda Softworks®, a ZeniMax® Media company, today announced that Arkane Studios’ first-person action game, Dishonored™, is now available in retail stores across Australa and New Zealand. Developed under co-creative directors, Raphael Colantonio, lead designer on Arx Fatalis®, and Harvey Smith, lead designer on Deus Ex®, Dishonored is available for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and PC. Dishonored has already garnered critical acclaim, winning over 50 awards at the 2012 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) as well GamesCom’s “Game of the Show.”

Dishonored has earned praise from some of the industry’s most influential outlets including IGN (9.2/10), GameSpot (9/10), CVG (95%), GamesMaster (95%) and EDGE (9/10).

“We wanted to create a very physical first-person action game that encourages players to play the way they want by providing them with versatile game systems”  said Raphael Colantonio, President, Arkane Studios. “We’ve watched gamers play Dishonored at consumer events and we’ve seen some amazing gameplay choices and power combinations. We’re very proud of our development team’s final product, and excited to see the game in the hands of gamers.”

“The team at Arkane Studios set out to create an original game with a deep story, set in an immersive world, full of player choice…and they have delivered on all aspects,” said Vlatko Andonov, President, Bethesda Softworks. “We couldn’t be more proud of Dishonored and can’t wait for fans to finally get their hands on it.”

In Dishonored, players take on the role of Corvo, a supernatural assassin driven by revenge. Players can creatively eliminate enemies using a flexible combat system that combines supernatural abilities and numerous weapons. Dishonored gives players the choice to pursue targets under the cover of darkness or boldly attack with weapons drawn. Every choice made controls each mission and the game’s ultimate conclusion. 

Dishonored features a renowned and award-winning ensemble of actors including Academy Award® winner, Susan Sarandon (“Thelma & Louise,” “Dead Man Walking”), Golden Globe® winner, Brad Dourif (“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest”), Emmy® Award nominees Carrie Fisher (original “Star Wars” trilogy) and John Slattery (“Mad Men”), Michael Madsen (“Thelma & Louise,” “Reservoir Dogs,” “Kill Bill”) and Lena Headey (“300,” “Game of Thrones”).

Dishonored is now available in Australia and New Zealand and throughout Europe on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation® 3 computer entertainment system and Games for Windows.

Dishonored has been rated MA15+ by the Australian Classification Board. In New Zealand it has been rated R18 (Graphic Violence) by the OFLC.  For more information about Dishonored visit: www.dishonored.com.

About Bethesda Softworks

Bethesda Softworks, part of the ZeniMax Media Inc. family of companies, is a worldwide publisher of premier interactive entertainment software. Titles featured under the Bethesda label include such blockbuster franchises as DOOM®, QUAKE®, The Elder Scrolls®, Fallout®, Wolfenstein®  and RAGE® .  Among the world’s top development studios creating titles for ZeniMax are Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, Arkane Studios, MachineGames Studios, Tango Gameworks and ZeniMax Online Studios. For more information on Bethesda Softworks’ products, visit www.bethsoft.com.