Madman proudly presents the haunting and beautiful Australian drama, THE HUNTER – coming to DVD ($34.95srp) and Blu-Ray ($39.95srp) on 8^th February, and digital platforms from 22^nd February, 2012. 

Academy Award® nominee Willem Dafoe (SPIDER MAN, PLATOON) stars as Martin David, a globe-trotting mercenary hired by a mysterious biotech company to track down the last remaining Tasmanian Tiger – rumoured to be alive and well deep within the Tasmanian wilderness. 

Under the wing of Jack Mindy (Sam Neill, THE PIANO), Martin lodges at the home of Lucy (Frances O’Connor, AI: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE), who is grief-stricken after the disappearance of her activist husband, Jarrah, and struggling to care for her two children, Sass and Bike. As Martin embarks upon his clandestine mountain search for the elusive creature, he finds himself unexpectedly drawn to the troubled family and trying to resolve the mysteries hidden within the treacherous landscape. 

Recently nominated for 14 Samsung AACTA Awards (formerly the AFI Awards), THE HUNTER is a powerful psychological drama based on Julia Leigh’s acclaimed novel of the same name and set against the dramatic beauty of the Tasmanian wilderness. THE HUNTER was released to critical acclaim in October, 2011, and has grossed over $1 million at the Australian box office. 

THE HUNTER’s DVD and Blu-Ray special features include an Audio Commentary with director Daniel Nettheim and producer Vincent Sheehan, ‘The Making of THE HUNTER’, ‘The Soundtrack’, Portrait Galleries, Deleted Scenes with Optional Audio Commentary and the ATOM Study Guide.  

THE HUNTER will be available on DVD ($34.95srp) and Blu-Ray ($39.95srp) from 8^th February, and digital platforms from 22^nd February, 2012.

Xbox 360® exclusive weapon, “Azrael” for Serah 

This weapon is named after an angel who represents spirits and death. It is believed to possess the power to change the owner’s destiny, and your Chain Bonus is upgraded when equipped. Serah alone has the ability to wield this legendary weapon. The player can obtain this weapon from Chocolina merchants, from Episode 2 onwards in the main game for 80 Microsoft Points via Xbox LIVE® Marketplace for Xbox 360. Only Serah has the ability to wield this legendary weapon.

Sydney Australia – December 22, 2011 – Western Digital, the world’s leader in external storage solutions and maker of the acclaimed WD TV® media player family, today introduced WD® TV Remote™ app, a new remote control app to improve the navigation experience for WD TV Live™ and WD TV Live Hub™ users by turning their iPhone®, iPod touch®, iPad®, or Android™ compatible mobile device into an advanced feature remote control for their WD TV. The WD TV Remote advanced features allow users to more easily navigate the wide variety of digital media WD TV users enjoy on their television, from leading entertainment services like Vimeo®, Dailymotion, TuneIn Radio®, Deezer, Facebook® and YouTube™, to personal video, photos or music.

The new WD TV Remote app provides all the features of the standard WD TV remote control along with several advanced features, including a gesture pad to help navigate menu screens and services with intuitive touch gestures, as well as QWERTY keyboard support for text entry and search functionality. A favorites screen provides quick access to entertainment services on the WD TV. WD TV Remote connects over the home wireless network and can work with multiple WD TV media players in the home. WD TV Remote is available in multiple languages, including English, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, Korean, Japanese, German, Spanish, Italian, French, Russian, and Portuguese.

 Furthermore, WD has added several new sports and entertainment services to the WD TV Live and WD TV Live Hub media players, including SnagFilms, XOS College Sports, SEC Digital Network, Comedy Time and Watch Mojo.  All these services are now available on WD TV Live and WD TV Live Hub media players, which are available locally at selected retailers.

“WD TV personalizes the entertainment experience for consumers better than any other digital media player,” said Chris Bull, director of marketing for WD’s Connected Home Solutions group. “Whether it is photos or movies on your PC, Mac®, tablet, smartphone, personal cloud drive such as the My Book® Live, or one of our exciting entertainment services, WD TV media players enable anyone in the family to easily enjoy a custom entertainment experience.”

WD Remote Compatibility
Available immediately for free download at the Apple iTunes® Store, and we anticipate will be available on the Android Market soon, WD TV Remote app is compatible with iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Android compatible mobile device.   Android devices must have OS 2.1 or higher and iPhones, iPad or iPod touch must have OS 4.0 or later.  Users must own a WD TV Live with firmware release version 1.05.18 or WD TV Live Hub updated with firmware release version 3.01.19.

About WD 
WD, one of the storage industry’s pioneers and long-time leaders, provides products and services for people and organizations that collect, manage and use digital information. The company designs and produces reliable, high-performance hard drives and solid state drives that keep users’ data accessible and secure from loss. Its advanced technologies are configured into applications for client and enterprise computing, embedded systems and consumer electronics, as well as its own consumer storage and home entertainment products. 

WD was founded in 1970. The company’s storage products are marketed to leading OEMs, systems manufacturers, selected resellers and retailers under the Western Digital® and WD brand names. Visit the Investor section of the company’s website (www.westerndigital.com) to access a variety of financial and investor information.

22nd December, 2011 –

Nintendo Australia confirms that it will be releasing TEKKEN™ 3D PRIME EDITION exclusively for Nintendo 3DS in late February 2012 (date TBC).

TEKKEN 3D PRIME EDITION for Nintendo 3DS will see the famous King of Iron Fist Tournament fought in 3D for the first time, with the unique functionality of the Nintendo 3DS delivering a more realistic and dynamic TEKKEN™ experience. Players will choose from a selection of more than 40 characters and do battle on totally new stages alongside others redesigned especially for Nintendo 3DS. TEKKEN 3D PRIME EDITION will make the most of the Wi-Fi functionality of the Nintendo 3DS, and deliver fast-paced dynamic battles with impressive graphics running at a high frame rate.

For the first time on Nintendo 3DS, a full-length CG movie will be available on the game cartridge. TEKKEN Blood Vengeance is produced by Digital Frontier (Resident Evil: Degeneration, Death Note, Appleseed) and directed by Youichi Mouri (opening movies for TEKKEN 5 and TEKKEN 6: Bloodline Rebellion). Taking the history and legacy of the TEKKEN universe into a full-length CG movie, TEKKEN Blood Vengeance will be included on the TEKKEN 3D PRIME EDITION cartridge, in full 3D.

Today we’re pleased to confirm Heroes Mode, another of the online competitive multiplayer modes for our upcoming third person team based shooter Resident Evil Operation Raccoon City.  

In Heroes Mode players will be able to compete in four vs. four with classic Resident Evil characters including Leon. S Kennedy, Jill Valentine, Hunk and Ada Wong. Players will either assume the role of the good or bad guys and compete against each other in a battle for survival. But it’s not that simple. Adding a twist to the traditional TPS gameplay players will need to not only defeat the opposing team but also zombies and B.O.W’s delivering a compelling triple threat battle.

Resident Evil Operation Raccoon City will be available for PS3 and Xbox 360 on March 23^rd across Australia and New Zealand with the PC version to follow.

Capcom today shared new information and assets regarding the innovative GEM system in the upcoming Street Fighter X Tekken game for PS3, Xbox 360, Vita and PC. A brand new feature that combines customization with strategy, the GEMs add an extra level of depth and provide a pioneering way to experience fighting games.
 
A total of 57 GEMs (5 Assist and 52 Boost) come standard in Street Fighter X Tekken. Players have the ability to equip three different GEMs that improve upon weaknesses or capitalize on strengths to enhance their inherent play style. The two types of GEMs, Assist and Boost, each have specific advantages and disadvantages.
 
Players can select any combination of the Assist GEMs, which provide helpful bonuses that are always activated but balanced by handicaps in other areas. Conversely, Boost GEMs provide a stat increase in one of five areas (attack, defence, speed, cross gauge, vitality) but require a specific condition to be met in order to be activated. As an example, a particular speed Boost GEM will be activated automatically after a player blocks 2-3 stringed attacks from their opponent. As GEMs are assigned prior to a match, the activation conditions for the Boost GEMs are hidden from opponents, promoting an element of surprise that requires players to think and act quickly.
 
Additional details on the GEM system, including a near-final list of the standard GEMS as well as their effects and activation conditions, are available now at Capcom-Unity at http://www.capcom-unity.com/. This is the most up-to-date information we have, however some of these will be undergoing minor adjustments before going final.
 
To see an in-depth look at the exciting GEM system in motion, check out Capcom’s latest “X the Line” show here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfL7AL5WNjU
 
Street Fighter X Tekken delivers the ultimate tag team match up featuring iconic characters from each franchise, and one of the most robust character line ups in fighting game history.  With the addition of new gameplay mechanics, the acclaimed fighting engine from Street Fighter IV has been refined to suit the needs of both Street Fighter and Tekken players alike.
 
Street Fighter X Tekken for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 launches in North America on March 6, 2012 and March 9, 2012 in Europe. More details on the PlayStation Vita and PC versions will be announced in the near future

Image Comics Collects The 6-Issue Epic Miniseries

Berkeley, CA – December 16th, 2011 — Image Comics is proud to announce the February release of SAMURAI’S BLOOD VOL. 1 TP, written by Owen Wiseman, illustrated by Nam Kim (Warcraft: Legends) and Matthew Dalton (Starcraft: Frontline), edited by Dave Elliott and produced by Benaroya Publishing. SAMURAI’S BLOOD VOL. 1 TP collects issues #1-6 of the sold out miniseries and will include extras such as a gallery page of covers by fan favorite artist Jo Chen (Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season 9) and additional prose Samurai’s Blood stories from Owen Wiseman.

Set in feudal Japan, an era when lineage defined you, SAMURAI’S BLOOD involves three teenagers who must make their way through the world hiding their identities in order to find their destinies. As their village burns behind them, they are headed for a city they’d heard about only in stories. The three young samurai must now struggle to stay alive and take vengeance on the evil usurper who has destroyed the rest of their clan and the only world they’d ever known. Will they rise on the tides of vengeance, or they will they fall on the swords of fate?

The critics have raved about SAMURAI’S BLOOD:

“I’ll be picking up the 6-issue run of Samurai’s Blood…I’d suggest you do the same.” – IGN

“Samurai’s Blood is just another example of all the great stuff Image Comics is putting together this year…I recommend the entire series.” – Comic Book Bin

“One of the best things about Samurai’s Blood is its strong period feel, which is carried in particular by Nam Kim’s idealized yet realistic art and Jo Chen’s more expressionistic covers.” – Playback STL

“Once again (and unbelievably, I might add), Wiseman has upped the stakes with this story… I can’t honestly understand how this book keeps getting better every issue, but somehow it does. 5 out of 5” – Comic Attack

SAMURAI’S BLOOD VOL. 1 TP (DEC110519, ISBN: 978-1-60706-488-6), a 192-page full-color trade paperback, will be on sale in stores February 29th, 2012 for $14.99 and is available to order in the December 2011 edition of Previews.

For more information, please visit www.benaroyapublishing.com.

ZeptoLab™ and Ape Entertainment Partner to Tell the Mysterious Story of Om Nom™

SAN FRANCISCO – December 20, 2011 – Shazaam! Om Nom™, the loveable character from the award winning mobile game Cut the Rope™, is now a comic book hero! Millions of fans that play Cut the Rope have fallen in love with the adorable green monster. Now, through the new comic series released today in the App Store for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, they will start to learn more about Om Nom and his fascination for candy!

According to Misha Lyalin, CEO of ZeptoLab, creators of the award winning Cut the Rope game, “The comic book is just the first step in broadening the reach of the Cut the Rope brand. Plush toys, apparel and accessories were recently released in the US. We are expanding all over the world and new items will be rolling out over the next several months. On the licensing and merchandising side, we see tremendous opportunities to bring Om Nom into homes around the world.”

Based on one of the most downloaded mobile games of all-time, the Cut the Rope No. 1 digital comic series begins in a quaint little town where opportunity sometimes knocks, but in thirteen-year-old Evan Coulton’s case, opportunity leaves a plain and uninteresting box on his doorstep. Of course, the surprise contents inside are anything but plain and uninteresting.

Before Evan realizes what’s going on, both his kitchen and his life have been turned upside down by a little green monster with an endless appetite for sweets. Om Nom’s sugar levels leave him either high on energy or lazily collecting more candy, as he and Evan discover just how much they have in common. Fans can follow the adventures of Evan and Om Nom as trouble unfolds in one of the most anticipated new comic series today.

ZeptoLab developed the digital comic series in conjunction with Ape Entertainment, who has a proven track record with comic book apps as demonstrated by the company’s success with the hugely popular Pocket God digital comic series.

“With millions of fans around the world playing Cut the Rope, the new comic series provides the first glimpse into the story of Om Nom,” said Semyon Voinov co-founder, ZeptoLab.

“Ape Entertainment immediately shared our vision for extending the brand into the comic world. The result of their efforts is one of the most interesting examples of how to bring a video game to a new medium.”

“The Cut the Rope digital comic series is much more than a pages to pixels app – it’s an experience that taps into the power of iOS and unleashes the world of Om Nom to fans across the globe,” said David Hedgecock, CEO of Ape Entertainment. “We believe this is the exact direction that will satiate comic book fans’ appetite in the digital age, as well as offer a reason to continue coming back to the App Store and local comic shops.”

The first three issues of the on-going series are currently available on the iTunes App Store at www.apple.com/appstore/ – the first issue is free and additional issues are available for $1.99 through in-app purchase.

For more information, please visit www.zeptolab.com or www.ape-entertainment.com.

EA Daily Deals

EA Mobile continues to spread the holiday cheer with a blowout sale featuring price drops on almost the entire slate of titles available on the iTunes App Store including popular games like FIFA 12 and recently released FIFA Superstars. Android aficionados can also enjoy limited time offers with games as low as $0.99 on Android Market. Please find attached a full listing of the titles on sale. 

To see todays and future “Daily Deals,” visit www.eamobile.com/dailydeals. Fans should check back daily for special offers available for games across all devices. 

EA Mobile Makes its Debut on Mac App Store

For the first time, EA is offering games on the Mac App Store, with the launches of NBA Jam and Monopoly. More exciting games will be coming soon including fan favourites The Game of Life and Real Racing 2. 

• NBA Jam brings the arcade basketball action with all 30 NBA teams and fans’ favourite NBA stars. Players can unlock legends from the classic arcade era like Patrick Ewing, Scottie Pippen, Dominique Wilkins, Karl Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Clyde Drexler.  
• Monopoly brings the tradition of the beloved, best-selling board games to your desktop and comes to life with animated features and intuitive gameplay.  
• The Game of Life boasts interactive details and HD-quality graphics allowing users to enjoy one of the all-time favourite board games available on the Mac App Store. 
• Real Racing 2 introduces the award-winning handheld racing experience with cutting edge graphics that allow users to enjoy the ride with 30 official licensed cars and 15 beautiful locations. 

Six New Titles Come to Android

EA is going big this holiday season launching six of the leading mobile brands on one of the fastest growing platforms of the year.  Spanning across all genres, these key titles will be available on the Android Market for the first time, including Dead Space, which Apple recently named iPad Game of the Year and Real Racing 2 coming soon. Real Racing 2 lets players test drive this high quality and much anticipated game for free with the option to upgrade for the full experience on the Android Market for the first time. To round out this stellar lineup, fan favorites Plants Vs. Zombies, Peggle and the best-selling board game Monopoly are also now available on the Android Market. Stay tuned for more information on best- selling Spy Mouse coming soon.

SYDNEY – 21^st December – Square Enix, Inc. and Square Enix Ltd., the publishers of SQUARE ENIX® interactive entertainment products in the Americas, Europe and across PAL territories, today announced fans of the popular KINGDOM HEARTS series will be able to experience a new 3-D adventure next year with the North American and European release of KINGDOM HEARTS 3D [Dream Drop Distance], specifically for the Nintendo 3DS™ system.  

The new game’s spectacular story promises to be a fun backdrop to the colorful cast of Disney characters making their 3-D debut on a handheld title. In addition to new worlds, KINGDOM HEARTS 3D [Dream Drop Distance] will feature never-before-seen gameplay elements for the series. 

“With the tenth anniversary of the series on the horizon, the current KINDGOM HEARTS saga is approaching its climactic conclusion. The story of this game will serve as the opening chapter of the final conflict, and, as always, will be full of surprises. In order to best implement this element of surprise and discover new realms of possibility, we have chosen Nintendo 3DS as our platform. With its revolutionary new game system, this title will not only be a bold, exhilarating tale of adventure, but also a first look into the future form of the KINGDOM HEARTS series,” said Tetsuya Nomura, director of KINGDOM HEARTS 3D [Dream Drop Distance]. 

Story

King Mickey and Yen Sid prepare for an impending threat by putting Sora and Riku through the Mark of Mastery exam. Sora and Riku are sent into the Sleeping Worlds, where they will face enemies and allies that have never been seen before. If they can successfully complete the task they are given, they will be deemed true Keyblade Masters. 

Features

• Dual protagonists – Play as the two most popular characters of the franchise, Sora and Riku. 
• “Free-flow” action – Enjoy fast and effortless movements while interacting with the environment and performing acrobatic attacks. 
• Brand-new creatures – Dream Eaters inhabit the Sleeping Worlds, and are split into two categories: Spirits and Nightmares. Recruit over 50 different types of Spirits as allies to fight alongside Sora and Riku. 
• New Disney worlds – Beloved Disney worlds and characters, such as La Cité des Cloches (The Hunchback of Notre Dame), make their series debut. 
• Story progression – With updated looks for Sora and Riku, and the impending conflict made clear, this title is a big step forward in the series.