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NEW SMALLER AND LIGHTER PLAYSTATION®3 TO HIT THE WORLDWIDE MARKET

To Further Accelerate Expansion of the PlayStation®3 Platform towards Upcoming Holiday Season

Sydney, September 19, 2012 – Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today announced the new PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system (body colour: charcoal black / classic white), featuring a new design and a downsized form factor, will become available worldwide this holiday season. The new PS3 will come in several models including extended built in Hard Disk Drive (HDD) capacity of 500GB model (AUD $399.95) and a newly added 12GB flash memory model (AUD $299.95).  Availability of models, prices and launch dates of the new PS3 system in each region are attached.

Completely redesigning the internal design architecture, the internal volume and weight of the new PS3 is reduced by more than half compared to the very first PS3 model with a 60GB HDD, and by 20% and 25% respectively compared to the current PS3. By adopting a sliding disk cover, the new PS3 continues with the characteristic sleek curved simple body design, which fits various places in the home and enables users to enjoy an array of entertainment content.

With the extra HDD capacity which has been extended from 320GB and 160GB, users can store and enjoy more and more entertainment content including games, music, photos, and video on the new PS3. In addition, the new PS3 with 12GB flash memory offers opportunities to experience the world of PlayStation® at an affordable price point. Users can also expand the storage capacity of the new PS3 with 12GB flash memory by connecting a dedicated HDD (250GB) to be released with the new PS3. In addition, a variety of accessories will be introduced by SCE to meet various kinds of needs from users.

Since the launch of PS3 in November 2006, the number of BD-based titles has reached more than 3,300 titles and downloadable PS3 games to 4,100 titles worldwide, with the support from a broad range of third party developers and publishers. In addition to this extensive software title line-up, exciting and attractive new titles are to be released from third party developers and publishers as well as SCE Worldwide Studios, including Call of Duty Black Ops 2 (Activision Publishing, Inc.), Assassin’s Creed III (Ubisoft Entertainment.), FIFA 13(Electronic Arts Inc.), PlayStation® All-Stars Battle Royale, LittleBigPlanet Karting, God of War: Ascension (Sony Computer Entertainment), and more.

SCE will further accelerate the expansion of the PS3 platform which is in the 7th year of its lifecycle, by continually releasing a vast library of exciting and attractive software titles and offering users a choice from a variety of hardware models.

 
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New Dishonored Developer Documentary Available | End Game

Bethesda is pleased to announce that they’ve just released the fourth and final video in their developer documentary series for Dishonored. In ‘End Game’, the team at Arkane Studios reflect on the journey of taking Dishonored from its early conceptual stage to a world ready to be fully experienced by fans.

Dishonored casts you as a supernatural assassin driven by revenge. Creatively eliminate your targets with the flexible combat system as you combine supernatural abilities with weapons and gadgets at your disposal. Pursue your targets under the cover of darkness or ruthlessly attack them head on with weapons drawn. The outcome of each mission plays out based on the choices you make.

Dishonored will be available in Australia, New Zealand and Spain on October 11, 2012, and throughout Europe on October 12, 2012, and is slated for release on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. For more information on Dishonored visit www.Dishonored.com.

 
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Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Royal Rescue, Go Diego Go!: Journey to the Great Pyramids and Winx Club: Believe in Magic come to DVD this October.

DORA THE EXPLORER: ROYAL RESCUE

Everyone’s favourite explorer is back as the most adventurous girl in the world sets out to rescue a princess in Dora The Explorer: Dora’s Royal Rescue.  In this double-length adventure, Lady Knight Dora and Squire Boots embark on a noble quest to help Rocinante the Horse save Don Quixote, who has been locked in Story Castle by Malambruno.

Throughout the movie, children can help Dora dance past a giant spider, overcome giant windmills, free some caged lions, rescue a fellow knight and finally, meet Map’s nephew, Little Map, on his very first treasure adventure.

Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Royal Rescue will be available on DVD from the 24th of October. Technical details available below.

GO DIEGO GO!: JOURNEY TO THE GREAT PYRAMIDS

Get ready to save the animals in Diego’s next exciting adventure, Go Diego Go!: Journey to the Great Pyramids. With a returning voice cast including Gabriela Aisenberg, Jake T. Perez and Rosie Perez, Go Diego Go!: Journey to the Great Pyramids continues the educational adventures of Dora the Explorer’s conservationist cousin.

In this feature Diego, his friend Medina, and Jamal the camel begin their journey at the Egyptian Great Pyramids in an attempt to find the Golden Cloud that will bring rain to the thirsty camels of the desert. Once they’ve saved the camels, Diego and the team head to Galapagos to save a giant turtle, and then onto the rainforest for more exciting missions.

Go Diego Go!:Journey to the Great Pyramids will be available on DVD from the 24th of October. Technical details available below. 

WINX CLUB: BELIEVE IN MAGIC

Join the Winx fairies as they embark on another magical adventure in Winx Club: Believe in Magic. The animated series is an action fantasy show that takes place in the mystical dimension of Magix where three special schools educate modern fairies, ambitious witches and super-natural warriors.

In Winx Club: Believe in Magic, something truly magical has happens to Bloom, an ordinary girl who discovers she is really a fairy with extraordinary powers. Join the Winx Club for another enchanted adventure of fairies, witches and above all else, magic. 

Winx Club: Believe in Magic will be available on DVD from the 24th of October. Technical details available below. 

DORA THE EXPLORER TECHNICAL DETAILS

Title Dora the Explorer: Dora’s Royal Rescue
Discs 1 (DVD)
RRP $19.95
Rating G
Technical Details Full Frame / Stereo
Running Time 91:8
Special Features Go Diego Go!: Green Iguana Helps Abuelito Plant a New Strawberry   Farm!, Go Diego Do Trailer, Ni Hao Kai-Lan Trailer
Release Date October 24 th

GO DIEGO GO TECHNICAL DETAILS

Title Go Diego Go!: Journey to the Great   Pyramids
Discs 1 (DVD)
RRP $19.95
Rating G
Technical Details Full Frame / Stereo
Running Time 96:44
Special Features None
Release Date October 24 th

WINX CLUB TECHNICAL DETAILS

Title Winx Club: Believe in Magic
Discs 1 (DVD)
RRP $19.95
Rating PG
Technical Details Full Frame / Stereo / English   Subtitles
Running Time 157:28
Special Features None
Release Date October 24 th

 

 

 
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Duels 2013 Expansion Now Available!

The Duels 2013 Expansion also includes the following new features:

    • Five additional playable decks: Take on your  opponents with two-color decks that correspond to the Azorius, Golgari, Izzet, Rakdos, and Selesnya guilds.
    • More  Campaign Levels: 5 new single-player campaign levels and 5 new       single-player revenge campaign levels.
    • Five Additional Challenges: Added puzzles to solve.
    • Additional persona portraits, achievements and trophies to unlock, and more!
 
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NBA 2K13 – Kinect trailer

 
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Xbox Launches 2-Way TV – Stepping Inside the Television for the First Time

 

Sydney, Australia — 19 September 2012 — For kids across Australia who have dreamt of being a guest star on Sesame St and having a conversation with Elmo or Cookie Monster, the possibility will become reality from tomorrow with the launch of a new entertainment category from Xbox 360, ‘2-Way TV’.

Xbox today previewed the first ‘2-Way TV’ titles, ‘Kinect Sesame Street TV’[1] and ‘Kinect Nat Geo TV’[2] at an event in Sydney, delighting kids and parents alike.

Harnessing the innovative technology of Kinect for Xbox 360, ‘2-Way TV’ will bring children’s favourite TV programs to life like never before – merging educational television and cutting-edge gaming technology into brand new series that will assist in kid’s learning through interactive play.

“Research has shown that children retain information most effectively when they are ‘doing’ rather than just ‘seeing’ or ‘hearing’[3],” explained Kimberley Francis, Head of Marketing and Interactive Entertainment at Microsoft Australia.

“For the first time, kids will be able to step inside the television and have truly interactive adventures with their Sesame Street friends, providing meaningful opportunities for kids to be a part of the story.

“Children’s television has previously been a one-way street. Now, using a series of cameras and microphones in the Kinect sensor, these 2-Way TV programs have the ability to hear, see, recognise and respond to you, with your actions changing the adventure along the way.”

“Recently it was revealed by Bond University that seven in ten Australian parents actively use games as an educational tool with their children,[4]” added Ms Francis. “Part video game, part children’s show, we believe 2-Way has the potential to completely change the way children learn through entertainment.”

Ben Britton, face of Nat Geo WILD Australia & New Zealand, attended the event and helped spread the message about the importance of conservation of wildlife, encouraging children to be passionate about our environment.

“I’m really excited to help launch ‘Kinect Nat Geo TV’ in Australia and to inspire a sense of wonder about nature in kids,” said Mr Britton.

“It’s a unique experience when technology connects us to nature in this way. With ‘Kinect Nat Geo TV’, kids can get up close and personal with creatures great and small, and come to grasp basic concepts about our natural world,” he said.

Kinect Nat Geo TV and Kinect Sesame Street TV will be available in stores on 20 September.


[1] ‘Kinect Sesame Street TV’ is rated G in Australia

[2] ‘Kinect Nat Geo TV’ is rated G in Australia

[3] Digital Australia 2012 – a study conducted by Dr Jeff Brand at Bond University, based on a random sample of over 1,200 Australian households.

[4] Digital Australia 2012 – a study conducted by Dr Jeff Brand at Bond University, based on a random sample of over 1,200 Australian households.

 
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SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT TO LAUNCH PLAYSTATION®STORE FOR PLAYSTATION®MOBILE ON OCTOBER 3

Official Version of PlayStation®Mobile SDK Will Be Available in November

FUJITSU AND SHARP TO JOIN PLAYSTATION™CERTIFIED  LICENSE PROGRAM

Tokyo, September 19, 2012– Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today announced that  it will start to deliver dedicated content for PlayStation®Mobile, delivering the world of  PlayStation® on open operating system-based devices?1, through PlayStation®Store on  October 3. In the dramatically evolving smartphone and tablet market, SCE will offer  appealing PlayStation-like content to a variety of popular mobile devices.

The service will start in nine countries including Japan, United States, Canada, United  Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Australia with more countries to follow. At  launch, users will be able to enjoy approximately 30 new titles from a variety of genres  including Adventure, Action, Puzzle, Sports, and Simulation, at an affordable price point of  between 50 yen and 850 yen (including tax)?2, created by third party developers and
publishers as well as SCE Worldwide Studios.

Further content will be released frequently for  PlayStation®Mobile as new titles become available.

SCE also announced Fujitsu Limited and Sharp Corporation will join the PlayStation Certified license program?3. By collaborating with Fujitsu and Sharp which not only have the  significant share in the Japanese smartphone market but also offer a wide range of devices  across the globe, SCE will deliver the unmatched PlayStation experience to even more  smartphone and tablet users around the world.

“Fujitsu’s ARROWS series smartphones and tablets feature “Usability” realized by human-centric technology, and “High Spec” represented by Japan’s first quad-core CPU adopted model.” said Takahiro Matsumura, Senior Vice President, Ubiquitous Business Strategy Unit, Fujitsu Limited. “We are excited to be partnering with Sony Computer Entertainment, and offer PlayStation-like gaming experiences for ARROWS users.”

“We are very pleased to be able to offer exciting PlayStation-like gaming experiences through our products to the customers all around the world.” said Itsuki Kouchi, Division Deputy General Manager & Marketing Department General Manager, Global Product Development Center, Communication Systems Group, Sharp Corporation. “Sharp will continue shaping its smartphone development philosophy, “Feel Logic”, and one of its elements, “Feel Creation”.

Furthermore, the PlayStation Mobile Developer Program which includes the official version of PlayStation Mobile SDK will become available to the development community in November. This will be rolled-out in a phased manner in 11 countries and regions including Japan, United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The PlayStation Mobile Developer Program will allow developers to easily distribute their content through PlayStation Store on a commercial basis and market their games to millions of dedicated gamers with PlayStation™Certified devices and PlayStation Vita. The license agreement for the SDK is US$99 annually?4.

SCE will further accelerate the expansion of PlayStation Certified devices and continue to collaborate with content developers to drive the delivery of compelling entertainment experiences through PlayStation Mobile.

About PlayStation®Mobile

PlayStation®Mobile marries fun, engaging PlayStation-style gaming with the convenience of PlayStation™Certified mobile devices and offers mobile users a superlative store navigation  and purchase experience. It allows a wide range of developers to produce PlayStation-like game experiences in an easy, time-efficient development environment. PlayStation Mobile content is also compatible with PlayStation®Vita.

*1 As of September 19, Android based PlayStation™Certified devices and PlayStation®Vita.
*2 Prices in Japan based on the information as of September 19.
*3 The license program to expand PlayStation Mobile, dedicated for portable hardware manufacturers. SCE will  not only license logos but also provide necessary development support. As of September 19, 2012, the line-up of  PlayStation™Certified devices include the HTC One series of smartphones, HTC One™ X, HTC One™ S, and  HTC One™ V and Xperia™ arc, Xperia™ PLAY, Xperia™ S, Xperia™ ion, Xperia™ acro S, Xperia™ TX,  Xperia™ T, Xperia™ V, Xperia™ SL from Sony Mobile Communications AB, and “Sony Tablet” S, “Sony  Tablet” P and Xperia™ Tablet S from Sony Corporation. Model name may vary by region. Sales model may vary  by area.
*4 The fee is for the US market. The fee differs by countries and regions.

About Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Recognized as the global leader and company responsible for the progression of consumer-based computer entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) manufactures, distributes, develop and markets the PlayStation®2 (PS2®) computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld  entertainment system, the PlayStation®3 (PS3®) computer entertainment system and the PlayStation®Vita (PS Vita) portable entertainment system. SCEI has revolutionized home entertainment since they launched PlayStation in 1994. PS2® further enhances the PlayStation legacy as the core of home networked entertainment. PSP® is a handheld entertainment system that allows users to enjoy 3D games with high-quality full-motion video and high-fidelity stereo audio. PS3® is an advanced computer system, incorporating the powerful Cell Broadband Engine and RSX processors.

PS Vita is an ultimate portable entertainment system that offers a revolutionary combination of rich gaming and social connectivity within a real world context. SCEI also delivers the PlayStation® experience to open operating systems through PlayStation®Mobile, a cross device platform. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, SCEI, along with its affiliated companies, Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC., and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd., and its division companies, Sony Computer Entertainment Japan and Sony Computer Entertainment Asia develops, publishes, markets and distributes hardware and software, and manages the third party licensing programs for these platforms in the respective markets worldwide.are property of their respective owners.

 
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PLAYSTATION®PLUS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE FOR PLAYSTATION®VITA IN NOVEMBER 2012

PlayStation®Vita Owners Will Have Access to free games and Other Features  That Enhance their Gaming Experience

Sydney, September 19, 2012 – Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCE) today announced that PlayStation®Plus, the subscription service package on PlayStation®Network, will become available for PlayStation®Vita (PS Vita) in November 2012.

By purchasing a PlayStation Plus membership on PlayStation®Store, PS Vita owners will be able to play free games, receive discounts for select titles, and enjoy other benefits unique to the service. A variety of convenient PlayStation Plus subscription options will be available in each country and region, including a 30 day plan (Japan: 500 yen, Asia: HK $38), a 90 day plan (North America: $17.99, Europe: €14.99, Australia: AUD$19.95) and a 365 day plan (Japan: 5,000 yen, Asia: HK$233, North America: $49.99, Europe: €49.99, Australia: AUD $69.95), meeting the different gaming needs of PS Vita owners.

PlayStation®3 (PS3®) owners with existing PlayStation Plus memberships, as well as first time members through PS Vita, will be able to enjoy PlayStation Plus features and services on both PS3 and PS Vita systems at no extra cost*1.

PlayStation Plus features and services for PS Vita include*2:

* Games –  Members will be able to play the full versions of designated content for PS Vita available on PlayStation Store as long as membership is effective, at no extra cost. The lineup of games that will be offered and other details will be announced at a later date.  PlayStation®Plus, The Subscription Service Package On PlayStation®Network, Will Become Available  for PlayStation®Vita in November 2012
* Discounts –  Members will have access to exclusive discounts on designated content for PS Vita.
* Online Game Save –  Members will automatically or manually be able to upload game save data files for compatible games to Online Game Save Storage with 1GB of space on the PlayStation Network*3.
* Automatic content downloads and updates –  PS Vita will automatically download designated game demos and game updates, and also download system software updates*4. PS Vita will automatically start up to download content and will enter standby mode after the download has completed.
* Automatic Trophy sync –  PS Vita will automatically start up at a designated time to sync Trophy information with PlayStation Network servers.
SCE will continue to strengthen and expand PS Vita platform to meet the gaming and entertainment needs of PS Vita owners.
*1 PS3 users who will purchase membership to PlayStation Plus for the first time will also be able to enjoy PlayStation Plus services and features for PS Vita.
*2 Content will vary by region.
*3 PlayStation Plus members will have 2GB of online game save storage in total, and members will have access 1GB of space for PS3 and PS Vita respectively.
*4 As the install requires users agreement, it will not be installed automatically.

About Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
Recognized as the global leader and company responsible for the progression of consumer-based computer entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) manufactures, distributes, develop and markets the PlayStation®2 (PS2®) computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld  entertainment system, the PlayStation®3 (PS3®) computer entertainment system and the PlayStation®Vita (PS Vita) portable entertainment system. SCEI has revolutionized home entertainment since they launched PlayStation in 1994. PS2® further enhances the PlayStation legacy as the core of home networked entertainment. PSP® is a handheld entertainment system that allows users to enjoy 3D games with high-quality full-motion video and high-fidelity stereo audio. PS3® is an advanced computer system, incorporating the powerful Cell Broadband Engine and RSX processors. PS Vita is an ultimate portable entertainment system that offers a revolutionary combination of rich gaming and social connectivity within aPlayStation®Plus, The Subscription Service Package On PlayStation®Network, Will Become Available  for PlayStation®Vita in November 2012  real world context. SCEI also delivers the PlayStation® experience to open operating systems through PlayStation®Suite, a cross platform and cross device initiative. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, SCEI, along with its affiliated companies, Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC., and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe Ltd., and its division companies, Sony Computer Entertainment Japan and Sony Computer Entertainment Asia develops, publishes, markets and distributes hardware and software, and manages the third party licensing programs for these platforms in the respective markets worldwide.

 
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UNLEASH YOUR IMAGINATION: DESIGN THE NEXT GREAT SILKROAD ONLINE AVATAR

“Project SilkroadWay” Challenges Players To Let Their Creativity Run Wild In Avatar Design Event From Sept. 18th through October 4th

September 19, 2012 – Joymax, a leading online game developer and publisher widely known for Digimon Masters and Knight Age, today announced its “Project SilkroadWay”  avatar design event for the world renown free-to-play MMORPG, Silkroad Online. One of the longest running MMORPGs, Silkroad Online, is currently celebrating its 15th  anniversary. And to mark the event, the game is challenging players to unleash their creativity for a chance at in-game cash and even their own avatar finalized into the game!

Players should put their imagination into full gear and register at the official site at http://www.joymax.com/silkroad/ for all the event information. “Instead of the run-of-mill anniversary events,  Silkroad Online is focusing on player participation that could end up actually shaping Silkroad Online for the next 15 years,” said Nam-Chul Kim, CEO of Joymax.

“If a player ever wished to see their very own design running the maps of Silkroad, then this is their chance.” “Project SilkroadWay”, starting today through Silkroad Online’s Facebook, challenges players to test their creative side by designing their very own avatar.  Players can simply submit their design through Silkroad Online’s Facebook before October 4th, and five lucky entries will selected for player’s votes with the winner announced October 10th.

Winners and selected entries will all receive a hefty amount of in-game cash, a free pet and a finished model of their very own design; but only the winning avatar with the highest vote will be finalized into the game!  It’s rare to see actual player creation go into a game, however, for Silkroad its not the first time. Silkroad has featured player participation before with such successful events as “Create your Fellows” where players  made a pet to mount and battle that became an in-game reality. The 5 winners’ design, selected through player votes, will soon be available for players in-game!

Players new and returning should let their imaginations loose starting today and submit their designs at http://www.facebook.com/officialsilkroad.
For all the latest events and new content in celebration of Silkroad Online’s 15th anniversary, players can visit the official
website at http://www.joymax.com/SilkroadOnline or keep up with Twitter at https://twitter.com/SilkroadOnline.

 
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Cool Dark Knight returns part 1 Animated Movie stuff

BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, PART 1, the next entry in the popular, ongoing series of DC Universe Animated Original Movies, arrives September 25, 2012 from Warner Home Video as a Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD, On Demand and for Download. The PG-13 film is produced by Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation.

Below is a link to an all-new clip from BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, PART 1 featuring a little humor from within the film, courtesy of the sarcastic wit of Bruce Wayne’s loyal valet/friend/father figure, Alfred.

Alfred is voiced by Radio Hall of Fame commentator/talk show host Michael Jackson. Previously, Jackson has provided the voice of the esteemed Guardian, Ganthet for the DCU animated film, GREEN LANTERN: EMERALD KNIGHTS.

Peter Weller (RoboCop) provides the voice of Bruce Wayne.