Straight from IV Motion!

It’s official! We’re pleased to announce the release of Penny Time – the official game of Penny Skateboards, developed by independent Brisbane studio, IV Motion! Take a look at the brand new gameplay trailer here: youtube.com/pennytimegame

Penny Time is the first release from IV Motion and is now available for all iOS devices from the iTunes App Store for 99c: http://www.itunes.com/app/pennytime

A free lite version, including the tutorial and first level, is also available: http://www.itunes.com/app/pennytimelite

We’ve got free DLC to be released in the upcoming weeks, too – the first of which will be available on the 24th of May. This will include a new playable character, 2 wearable accessories and our most exciting reveal, Competition Play.

The 1st round of Competition Play will see players rival to keep their scores at the top of the leaderboards, for a chance to win one of 15 original plastic Penny skateboards.

We hope you enjoy Penny Time just as much as we do!

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

• The 3rd generation Intel® Core™ vPro™ processor      platform provides businesses and intelligent system designs the security,      performance and form factor improvements needed to compute with confidence.
• Embedded security features help businesses protect      themselves in four ways: threat management, identity and access, data      protection, and monitoring and remediation.
• Future Ultrabook™ devices built with the 3rd Generation      Intel Core vPro processor platform are designed to bridge the gap between      IT and business end users.
• Enhanced designs help accelerate the move from fixed      function and disconnected systems to intelligent systems in retail,      industrial and healthcare industries.

SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 15, 2012 – Today’s IT managers face a range of challenges from complex business processes to sophisticated security threats. Additionally, a number of industries such as retail, healthcare and industrial are turning to technology to develop innovative solutions to solve the unique challenges facing them in an increasingly connected world. To address these challenges, Intel Corporation has announced the availability of its 3rd Generation Intel® Core™ vPro™ processor-based platforms for business and intelligent systems.

The enhancements to the Intel Core vPro processor platform provide a more secure platform for business computing and drive the next wave of innovation in intelligent systems. The Intel Core vPro processor-based platforms address the realities of today’s business climate, where data integrity and organisational efficiency create a competitive advantage. New capabilities embed security at every layer, including the silicon, without compromising performance. Software innovation allows IT managers to set up and configure systems within minutes to quickly implement compelling solutions. Additionally, the enhanced graphics and secure manageability help accelerate the transition and growth in intelligent systems for the retail, industrial, and healthcare industries.

“With the 3rd generation Intel Core vPro processor platform, Intel is leading the way into a new era, delivering the comprehensive and manageable computing solutions to business that enable them to deal with security threats, while providing the flexibility and form factors users demand,” said Rick Echevarria, vice president, Intel Architecture Group and general manager, Business Client Platform Division.

Businesses can take advantage of the latest Intel Core vPro processor platform through a multitude of devices including Ultrabook™ devices, laptops, desktops, workstations and all-in-one PCs.

Embedded Security

To defend against identity theft, Intel introduced Intel® Identity Protection Technology with public key infrastructure (Intel® IPT with PKI) into Intel Core vPro processors. The technology provides a new second layer of authentication embedded into the PC that allows websites and business networks to validate that a legitimate user is logging in from a trusted PC by using a private key stored in a PC’s firmware. Intel has been working with solution providers and online Web properties such as Feitian, InfoSERVER, Symantec and VASCO to take advantage of Intel IPT technology to ultimately safeguard users’ identity.

The latest version of the Intel Core vPro Processor platform also features Intel® OS Guard and Intel® Secure Key. Intel Secure Key, with Intel® AES New Instructions, protects media, data and assets from loss, while Intel OS Guard detects and prevents malware.

Strengthened security from the Intel Core vPro processor platform and McAfee* includes tools such as ePO Deep Command and allow for secure data exchange across increasingly connected ecosystems such as healthcare where doctor’s offices share sensitive information with labs and hospitals.

Remote Management and Automation

The Intel Core vPro Processor family includes Intel® Active Management Technology (Intel® AMT) to remotely manage computing issues. Businesses in a range of industries can use Intel AMT to achieve power savings, remote management and inventory control. For example, retailers with point-of-sale machines, digital signs or other intelligent devices can remotely diagnose and quickly fix problems over their network so customer transactions are not interrupted and sales are not lost. With a typical IT service call averaging US$200 in a retail environment, large-scale retailers can save millions of dollars in service calls with the ability to remotely manage thousands of systems using Intel AMT.

Industrial computing systems can also use 3rd generation Intel Core processors to consolidate multiple automation functions onto one platform so factories can achieve greater efficiencies in managing all devices and systems. Once all devices and systems are connected, factory managers can collect real-time data for decision making, diagnosis and predictive maintenance.

Intelligent Performance

The 3rd generation Intel Core vPro processors continue to enhance the computing experience in all areas, including the use of business intelligence and big data. The 3rd generation Intel Core vPro processors put greater performance in the hands of more information workers, giving them the ability to access and glean insights from all the information accumulating in their data banks, right on their PC. With the power to handle and manipulate this information faster, familiar PC tools such as Excel are evolving to support this process of creating, collaborating and sharing big data insights.

Additionally, the 3rd generation Intel Core vPro processor family drives significant improvements in compute performance as well as media and graphics capabilities for intelligent systems to meet the needs of compute-intensive applications in retail, industrial and healthcare industries. For example, the support for up to three independent displays makes it possible for a digital sign to drive more displays out of one system versus the previous-generation Intel Core processors. With Intel® Quick Sync Video and Intel® Clear Video HD Technology, medical diagnostic equipment can convert and process digital images and video streams faster, enabling delivery of smoother visuals for healthcare professionals to make timely and accurate diagnoses. The technology also enables end-to-end high definition video conferencing for business users.

The performance improvements also provide the processing power needed to run real-time analytics applications such as Intel® Audience Impression Metrics Suite (Intel® AIM Suite). Intel AIM Suite is an audience detection technology designed for digital signs and retail solutions that need instant metrics gathering to offer more targeted advertising and advanced measurement.

About Intel

Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) is a world leader in computing innovation. The company designs and builds the essential technologies that serve as the foundation for the world’s computing devices. Additional information about Intel is available at newsroom.intel.com and blogs.intel.com.

HITMAN®: SNIPER CHALLENGE™ is an exclusive standalone pre-order sniper experience, available to play from the moment customers pre-order their copy of HITMAN®: ABSOLUTION™. The HITMAN: SNIPER CHALLENGE experience is available starting from today.

Participating Australian retailers are EB Games & JB Hi-Fi, with more to be announced shortly.
Participating New Zealand retailers are EB Games, JB Hi-Fi, & Mighty Ape, with more to be announced shortly.

HITMAN: ABSOLUTION is scheduled for global release on November 20th 2012 for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC.

Check out www.hitmansniper.com for all details and availability.

Watch the new Sniper Version Long Version Trailer:

YouTube Stream: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAHqYkZq-Ao

NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe keeps the race running with the release of a free demo for RIDGE RACER™ UNBOUNDED on the 22^nd of May on the PlayStation Network and on the 23^rd of May on Xbox Live™, available now for Windows PC players on Steam.

In this single player demo, players will get a taste of these visceral and destructive races with two adrenaline-filled domination races in the City Limit District. Discover the intensity of The Unbounded while driving the Wolfseye GT (street class), or take the wheel of a Hurricana CX (super class) in the Shatter the City race. These intense races will give players a sample of the driving ecstasy, bone-shattering destruction, and thrilling domination of Shatter Bay.

Developed by BugBear Entertainment Ltd., RIDGE RACER UNBOUNDED adds a new edge to the famous and already intense franchise with explosive races and impressive destruction. In the single player mode, players must earn their place among The Unbounded gang by impressing their leader Kara Shindo with high-speed destructive races. Domination Race mode encourages players to destroy everything in sight including rival cars, the environment and other traffic.  Survival Race mode gives the player one car and one chance to avoid destruction and finish in first place. Additional game modes include action focused on just taking out other cars, drifting and dueling.

In addition to the single player mode, racers can take their driving skills online against other players in several multiplayer modes. RIDGE RACER UNBOUNDED will provide players with unlimited fun by allowing them to dominate cities created by other players, using City Creator.

Watch all the videos from Namco Bandai Games Europe on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/NamcoBandaiGamesEU

RIDGE RACER UNBOUNDED is available now across Australia & New Zealand.  For more information on RIDGE RACER UNBOUNDED, please visit: http://www.namcobandaigames.eu or http://www.facebook.com/ridgefan.

Epic Sonic 4 Saga Continues on Console and PC Digital Download This Week 

Wednesday 16^th May 2012 –SEGA® Europe Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced the launch of Sonic The Hedgehog 4™ Episode II. This new entry in the Sonic 4 storyline has the iconic blue hedgehog taking on two legendary rivals with the help of one of his oldest friends, Miles “Tails” Prower. Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Episode II is available today on the PlayStation®Network and Steam for AUD$18.25. It will be available tomorrow on Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft for 1200 points, as well as NVidia Tegra 3 powered devices on Android for AUD$7.49. On 17^th May, it will be available for iPhone and iPad on the iTunes App Store for AUD$7.49.

“Sonic 4 Episode II is very special because we’ve integrated community feedback into the game.” said Haruki Satomi, Senior Vice President of Digital Business at SEGA of America. “We have some of the most loyal and dedicated fans and I hope they enjoy this next chapter in the Sonic 4 saga.”

Sonic The Hedgehog 4 Episode II also offers players who have purchased Sonic The Hedgehog™ 4 Episode I the exclusive chance to experience Episode Metal, a special unlockable story available to anyone who owns both titles on the same platform. Lead one of our hero’s greatest foes, Metal Sonic, across four reworked Acts from Episode I to learn more about how he survived the events at the end of Sonic CD™.

Sonic 4 Episode II and Episode Metal will also be coming to all other Android Device systems this June, and Windows Mobile Phones by this July. For more information about the game, visit http://www.sonicthehedgehog4.com/.

The hunt is ON for Australia’s Fruit Ninja Master and the battle is heading to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane!

WHAT

Halfbrick, the creators of mobile gaming phenomenon Fruit Ninja is putting the call out to Fruit Ninja fans to compete for the title of Australia’s Fruit Ninja Master! This is part of a massive celebration in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne as the crew visits each city on the week-long Fruit Ninja Anniversary Tour!

WHEN

Next week, Fruit Ninja fans from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are invited to enter the official Fruit Ninja dojo (city location details below), where 30 iPad gameplay stations will feature for players to compete to win a place at the Fruit Ninja Master national final in Sydney on May 30. The national champion will not only win the glory of the title, but also thousands of dollars worth of prizes including a Ninja Experience trip for two to Japan! All are welcome and entry is free!

WHERE

• Brisbane      – Monday May 21st, Queens Street Mall 10am – 7pm
• Sydney      – Thursday May 24th, Darling Harbour 10am – 7pm
• Melbourne      – Saturday May 26th, Federation Square 10am – 7pm

WHY

Created in Australia by local game developer Halfbrick, the Fruit Ninja Anniversary Tour is the studio’s celebration of the game’s success both in Australia and across the globe since its launch two years ago. The competition in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane will see the crowning of Australia’s Fruit Ninja Master!

Festivities will include:

Free ninja gear – Every attendee will score a free download code for Fruit Ninja on the App Store. Already have the game? Share it with a friend to find out who is the true master!

Meet the team – Your chance to meet the crew behind the magic, and hear their success story as the team evolved from an independent start-up to a global powerhouse in the world of video games.

Play new content – The latest Fruit Ninja gameplay update will be available at the event, so come along and check it out before it hits the App Store!

A new generation of gaming laptops built for battle

Sydney, Australia (May 16, 2012) – ASUS is proud to announce the ROG G75VW and G55VW gaming notebooks — the fifth generation of the popular and powerful Republic of Gamers G Series. The new notebooks feature Intel® 3rd generation Core™ i7 processors and the latest NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 660M/670M GPUs with up to 3GB of GDDR5 VRAM, up to 16GB of DDR3 DRAM and support for dual hard drives in RAID 0/1. The dual-fan intelligent thermal mechanism ensures the system runs cooler, for longer, forcing the competition into submission. Active shutter glasses with NVIDIA 3D LightBoost™ technology on a Full HD screen, a built-in subwoofer and ASUS SonicMaster Lite audio further enhance the gaming experience.

Intelligent Thermal Design
The new G Series has an intelligent dual thermal system that keeps heat away from the gamer with a unique rear-venting design. The G55VW utilises a pair of fans to increase thermal efficiency, while the G75VW features dedicated fans for CPU and GPU, complete with detachable fan filters to increase thermal efficiency.

Immersive 3D Entertainment
NVIDIA graphics at the heart of the new G Series gaming notebooks deliver DirectX® 11’s extreme special effects and guarantee blistering frame rates with the latest blockbuster titles. The new G Series uses active shutter glasses and NVIDIA 3D LightBoost technology¹, to deliver an unrivaled experience in 3D games and movies either on the move or on the big screen at home. The visual feast is backed up by ASUS’ majestic SonicMaster Lite audio and the large speakers and built-in subwoofer deliver powerful sound and richer bass.

Gamer-centric Design
Inspired by stealth aircraft, the new G Series combines a sculpted profile with a compact matte low profile chassis with gamer-centric features. The one-piece backlit keyboard with isolated arrow keys and ‘W’ key indicator ensures gamers never miss a frag. The slightly inclined body provides comfort during prolonged gaming sessions, while the rubberised soft-touch palm rest and the anti-glare matte display with a wide viewing angle reduces eye-strain during late night frag-fests. With such an advanced and extensive armory at its disposal, the new G Series will leave enemies begging for mercy during battle.

¹NVIDIA 3D LightBoost technology is only available on the G75VW

Specifications

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Can’t find your remote control? No need to worry as Kinect on Xbox 360 customers can now select and watch their favourite FOXTEL on Xbox 360 TV shows and movies with a simple hand gesture or voice command.

With Kinect and FOXTEL on Xbox 360 people can navigate through the new-look user interface and locate sports, movies and TV shows with simple voice commands or the wave of a hand.

FOXTEL is the first broadcaster to provide Australians with voice and gesture control to find and watch their favourite live television programs.

Voice and gesture control via Kinect brings a new dimension to home entertainment and how people control commands like pause, play, fast forward and stop, as well as browsing through menu items.

Jim Rudder, FOXTEL Executive Director of Product said, “FOXTEL on Xbox 360 has a fantastic new look which works seamlessly with Kinect for Xbox 360. We’re excited to offer this new FOXTEL experience combining voice and gesture technology with our latest user-interface to find and watch TV shows and movies exclusive to FOXTEL.”

Kimberley Francis, Head of Xbox, Microsoft, Australia said: “By making technology invisible we make it even easier for people to interact with their entertainment and we are thrilled to now bring this to a live television experience with FOXTEL.

“People have been communicating with voice and gestures for thousands of years and now we are connecting people to their digital entertainment in much the same instinctive way. It won’t matter if you lose the remote control or run out of batteries because you won’t need them.”

Updates will be automatically sent to the Xbox 360 console from May 16, 2012. Users will be asked to accept the updates using the console. Once the updates have been accepted, users will need to sign back in to start watching FOXTEL on Xbox 360.

FOXTEL on Xbox 360 lets subscribers view premium FOXTEL content without lock-in contracts or installation. People can tailor their service with more than 30 world-leading FOXTEL channels on the live streaming television service including AFL with FOOTY PLAY, six BigPond TV channels, Catch Up TV, and hundreds of blockbuster films, library movies and TV episodes from On Demand.

Telstra BigPond broadband customers are not charged for any data when watching video content FOXTEL on Xbox 360. FOXTEL on Xbox 360 is only available to Xbox 360 owners who live in FOXTEL metropolitan areas of Australia and who subscribe to both the Xbox LIVE service and the FOXTEL on Xbox 360 service. Xbox LIVE Gold subscription required for all live TV packages. Kinect required to use voice or hand gesture functionality.
www.foxtel.com.au/xbox

Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) today unveiled five game-changing innovations that will bring revolutionary changes to EA SPORTS™ FIFA 13 along with the largest and deepest feature set in the history of the franchise.

“We are perfecting the best sports game in the world with innovations that capture all the drama and unpredictability of real-world football,” said David Rutter, Executive Producer for FIFA 13. “These are game-changing innovations that will revolutionize our artificial intelligence, dribbling, ball control and collisions to create a true battle for possession across the entire pitch, and deliver freedom and creativity in attack.”

The most sophisticated artificial intelligence ever achieved for the FIFA franchise will drive FIFA 13 on HD consoles and PC. All-new Attacking Intelligence enables players to analyse space, work harder and smarter to break down defenses, and think two plays ahead. Players now possess the intelligence to create, curve, or alter runs to capitalize on openings as they occur, make runs that pull defenders out of position to open passing channels for teammates, and better position themselves for new attacking opportunities.

In FIFA 13 every touch matters with the most comprehensive and intuitive dribbling system ever developed. Inspired by the world’s best footballer, Lionel Messi, Complete Dribbling enables players to face their opponent and use precise dribble touches combined with true 360° mobility with the ball, so it’s easier to be more creative and dangerous in 1v1 opportunities. Players change direction quicker, are more explosive accelerating with the ball, and are more effective shielding defenders for longer stretches. FIFA 13 1st Touch Control transforms the way players control the ball, eliminating near-perfect touch for every player on the pitch, and creating variety and uncertainty around ball control. Factors such as defensive pressure, trajectory of the ball, and velocity of the pass now impact a player’s first touch, creating more opportunities for defenders to win back possession.

The second generation of the Player Impact Engine expands physical play from just collisions to off-the-ball battles between players. Defenders push and pull for position, and use their size and strength to win possession or force opponents into poor touches and decisions before the ball arrives. FIFA 13 Tactical Free Kicks provides the tools to create dangerous and unpredictable free kicks utilising the most skillful players on the pitch. Position up to three attacking players over the ball and utilise dummy runs and more passing options to create elaborate free kicks. Opponents can counter by adding or subtracting players to the wall, creeping the wall forward, or sending a bullet man to intercept the pass or block the shot.

FIFA 13 will also feature:

• Improved Career Mode with major      changes developed in response to requests from the most passionate fans of      the franchise.
• New features to enhance the      massive EA SPORTS FIFA online offering, including improvements to the      wildly popular Head-To-Head Seasons mode
• Multiple new features and      benefits to EA SPORTS Football Club, the live service that is the      heartbeat of FIFA
• Complete authenticity with more      than 500 officially licensed clubs.

Additional new modes and features will be announced in the months ahead.

FIFA 13 will be available in stores world-wide this fall for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system with PlayStation Move support, Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system with Kinect™, PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system, Wii™, PC, PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo 3DS™, PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) system, iPhone®, iPad®, iPod® touch and other mobile platforms.

Join more than nine million fans in the EA SPORTS football community at http://www.facebook.com/easportsfifa or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/easportsfifa.

EA SPORTS is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world, with top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, fan programs and cross-platform digital experiences. EA SPORTS creates connected experiences that ignite the emotion of sports through industry-leading sports videogames, including Madden NFL football, FIFA, NHL® hockey, NBA LIVE basketball, NCAA® Football, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® golf, SSX™, and Fight Night boxing. For more information about EA SPORTS, including news, video, blogs, forums and game apps, please visit www.easports.com.

All Interactive Entertainment are set to re-release classic RPG, The Witcher: Enhanced Edition, at a very special discount price this June.

Developed by CD Projekt and set in a world created by best-selling Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, The Witcher combines spectacular action, an intriguing storyline and it will be available in all leading games retailers across Australia and New Zealand next month.

The Witcher: Enhanced Edition is rated MA15+ on Games for Windows®.