Sydney, September 19, 2011

PRESS RELEASE: Nnooo issues second part of a 3 part feature on escapeVektor: Chapter 1

escapeVektor™: Chapter 1 is a retro styled arcade game for WiiWare™ in which the player controls Vektor, an entity trapped inside the player’s CPU. Each level consists of a series of interconnected lines which form cells. These are claimed as Vektor moves along them. Claiming all of the cells in a level unlocks the exit to the next level, bringing Vektor closer to his escape.

However, this is no ordinary CPU. It has held Vektor captive for what feels like an eternity and it doesn’t want him to leave now. As Vektor progresses with his escape, the CPU sets up obstacles and sends out its army to destroy him.
We told you about about those dumb Patrols in the first part of our escapeVektor: Chapter 1 feature. We also described the dangerous Electric Fences and Cannons, not to mention Vektor’s useful Boost ability. Now it’s time to find out about another enemy and see how you get Vektor out of there.

Hunters
Hunters are much more intelligent than Patrols. They will search the whole level in their attempt to track you down. They’re not fully awake when they spawn though and may just pick the wrong direction when chasing you. But as they start to wake up, they become more alert and are more likely to track you down, so there’s no room for complacency when dealing with these tricky enemies.

Hunters are sometimes spawned by passing through a switch, so think about which parts of a level you complete first. Spawning a hunter early in a level means he’ll be chasing you while you’re dealing with everything else that’s going on. Waiting until you’ve nearly completed the level before triggering the Hunter is far more tactical. However, if you’re an adrenalin junkie who likes white knuckle rides, go ahead, and spawn the Hunters early. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you!

Exits
Once you’ve claimed all of the cells in a level, you’ll trigger the exit and every enemy will be destroyed. Enemies respawn though, some of them very quickly, so you might just find yourself in trouble even on your way to the exit. Try to make sure you’re not over an enemy spawn point when the exit has been triggered. All of your hard work may have been in vain if a rapidly spawning enemy destroys you on your way out.

Hidden Areas
Sometimes triggering an exit will also unlock a hidden area in a level. Completing these areas will trigger a second exit which will lead to a different level; sometimes a level with a timed challenge or occasionally a shortcut to one of the later levels of the game. If you choose to enter one of these later levels, be prepared for the difficulty to ramp up significantly!

Unlocking Vektor’s Memories
Vektor has been locked inside the CPU for so long that he’s forgotten how he got there in the first place. Moving through the CPU will help him unlock his memories so you need to make sure you get through all of the levels. If your strategy is to get to the final level as quickly as you can through the hidden exits, be sure to go back and complete the levels you skipped so that all Vektor’s memories are unlocked.

Badges
There are 40 Badges to collect in the game. We don’t want to give away too much at this stage but you’re going to have to be pretty damned dedicated to get them all. Just sayin’…

Medals
Your score at the end of each level will determine whether you win a medal or not. The time you take to complete the level is an important factor in the score so don’t worry if you initially don’t get a platinum medal in the early levels. Once you unlock Boost, go back and have another try. You’ll find it easier to get a higher score.

If you win a bronze or silver medal, you’ve certainly got the hang of things. You’ll need to be little more adept to win a gold medal though, and downright professional to even get a look at a platinum. Be warned, we’ve set the bar high!
Which path will you choose to take? Whatever it is, watch out for these Hunters and try not to let that CPU get the upper hand.

In the next part of our escapeVektor: Chapter 1 feature, we’ll tell you about the most dangerous enemies, the Interceptors. Meanwhile, have a look at this video to see just what these Hunters are really like.

For more details on escapeVektor: Chapter 1 visit www.escapeVektor.com.

escapeVektor: Chapter 1 is scheduled for release on WiiWare in The Americas, Europe, Australia and NZ on September 29th for 500 Nintendo Points.

WiiWare is a trademark of Nintendo. © 2011 Nintendo.

Sony Online Entertainment Announces Three Access Levels for Popular Superhero Online Action Game 

SAN DIEGO – September 19, 2011 – Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) today announced a new free-to-play business model for its popular massively multiplayer online (MMO) game DC Universe Online (DCUO) — where players have the freedom to become legendary fighting alongside DC Comics icons like Superman, Batman and The Joker in an ever-evolving online action adventure that has already logged more than 42 million hours of super-powered gameplay action by players since its launch earlier this year.

Beginning late October, players will be able to download and access DCUO for free on both the PlayStation 3^® computer entertainment system and PC. As part of this transition, SOE is introducing three new access levels to the game: Free, Premium and Legendary. All three levels will provide access to open world gameplay and missions, general game updates and fixes to the game, with each level offering different game options and benefits.

“When we launched DC Universe Online, we introduced a very different brand of massive online game driven by fast action combat to PC and PS3 gamers and with that, we discovered a new type of online gamer,” said John Smedley, President, Sony Online Entertainment. “We’ve listened to our community, and we’ve determined that the free-to-play model is the best fit for DC Universe Online.”

Smedley added, “Our philosophy embraces learning from our experience and as a pioneer in the free-to-play space with proven successful games like Free Realms and Clone Wars Adventures, we believe this new model will expand the DCUO experience and offer more options that cater to every type of player so they can play the game in a way that fits them.”

All three levels provide access to the current game, but allow differing tiers of convenience and flexibility. The levels are:

·         Free: New players will now have access to the current gameplay in DC Universe Online (including Gotham City, Metropolis, and all current raids and alerts), with the ability to create two characters, join a league and many other benefits. Free level players will be able to purchase downloadable game packs/updates, additional character slots, powers and more through microtransactions.

·         Premium: Any player who has spent at least $5 USD (including former paid subscribers and new players who have purchased $5 of in-game items) will qualify for the Premium access level. Premium level players will have more benefits available to them than the Free level player, including additional character slots, additional inventory slots, and higher cash limits. Downloadable adventure packs, additional character slots, and more can be purchased in-game.

·         Legendary: Maximum features and benefits are included at this level. Loaded with enhanced additional features, Legendary access will be available for a $14.99 USD (*) monthly fee and includes all DLC packs at no cost, more than 15 character slots, more than 80 inventory slots, the ability to form unrestricted-sized leagues, and many other benefits.

More information on the DCUO free-to-play access levels can be found here: dcuniverseonline.com/free.

DC Universe Online combines immersive environments and fascinating story arcs with fast-paced, physics-based combat, allowing players to pick up buses and other objects in the environment, fly into the air and throw them at enemies; run up the sides of buildings to engage in melee brawls while shooting flames of fire from their hands; or cling to the side of buildings while using a grappling hook to pull flying opponents out of the sky – all while fighting alongside or against the legendary characters of DC Comics and charting their own path to legendary.  

DC Universe Online is licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment on behalf of DC Entertainment. For more information about DC Universe Online, visit www.DCUniverseOnline.com.

The updated file-infector features botnet capabilities and is extremely viral 

SYDNEY & AUCKLAND – September 19, 2011 – BitDefender, an award winning provider of innovative internet security solutions, has identified a bigger, more vicious version of the old compile-a-virus piece of malware, called Win32.Induc.A. Bitdefender is warning consumers of this piece of malware as it infects any executable files it finds and spreads botnet malware.

The initial variant of this file infector was relatively harmless, except that it would add its viral code to any applications users compile. The overhauled variant Bitdefender has identified, packs a bigger punch and is truly malicious. While the previous version (Win32.Induc.A) only targeted Delphi compilers from version 4 through 7, the new variant (identified as Win32.Induc.P) is able to successfully infect both the Delphi compiler and newer products from Embarcadero (RAD Studio 2005 through RAD Studio XE).

While the malicious code would only infect applications created with the infected compiler, the new Win32.Induc.P is able to infect any executable file it finds on the PC. The virus also manifests worm behaviour, as it is able to ‘jump’ from one computer to another via removable storage media such as pen-drives, USB disks or memory cards.

Whenever an infected application is run, the virus has a downloader part that tries to connect to some encrypted URLs hardcoded into it. It then starts downloading the specified piece of malware and installs it on the already-compromised computer. The samples analysed by Bitdefender were installing both a keylogger and a backdoor application that allows a remote attacker to take control over the machine.

Why is this piece of malware particularly important?

One of the worst things about viruses is the fact that they actually infect files. On moment you can have a perfectly clean system, and the next second, you run a file and find most of the executable files compromised.

Based on previous experience with the first two variants of the Induc virus, we expect to see the P variant pop on software download portals, as unwary Delphi/RAD Studio developers whose compilers have been infected update their applications. This is also one of the situations where legit software, delivered via legit distribution channels, might infect user’s computer. Bitdefender advises that users systematically scan all the downloaded files with an updated antivirus.

If consumers have already been infected, don’t fear. Bitdefender can provide a free removal tool that can clean infected executable files with zero data loss. The tool can be downloaded from the Removal Tools section of Malware City:

Download the 32-bit version of the tool here

Download the 64-bit version of the tool here

The removal tool is available courtesy of Bitdefender malware researchers; Doina Cosovan and Mihail Andronic.

Here’s a quick update on the weekend’s play at the 2011 SEA/ANZ Battle.net Invitational tournament!

With eight of the best StarCraft II players in the region in contention, after a grueling two days of play the semi-finals wrapped up at a frantic pace. With last year’s Thai Terran champion MiTH.RedArchon relegated to fourth place, the top three became a volatile showdown between the remaining field of Zerg players.

Rising up from the lower bracket, New Zealand’s xGKingJazBas managed to best his Sydneysider teammate xGKingMafia in a close contest, putting xGKingJazBas through to the grand final and earning him a place at the global finals at BlizzCon next month.

The finale proved to be a rematch, with xGKingJazBas facing off against his first round opponent, renowned Brisbane player mOOnGLaDe.  Off the back of a some big wins in Europe, mOOnGLaDe was in fine form and able to get through to the finals without losing a match, and through aggressive early game offensives, managed to topple his grand final opponent and emerge as the tournament champion. The win secured GLaDe the $5,000 USD grand prize and his spot in the global finals as well.

Congratulations to Andrew ‘mOOnGLaDe’ Pender and Sung ‘xGKingJazBas’ Cho on their wins over the weekend – no doubt the SEA/ANZ community are eager to see how they’ll fare against the world’s best at BlizzCon in October as the finalists of the regional Invitationals play to determine the global champion.

There’ll be a full wrap on our StarCraft II Community Site soon, but in the meantime you can check out the results thread on the forums here.

Feast your eyes on the first official full-length Xbox 360 gameplay trailer! Take an extended look at how U.S. Marine Sgt. Blackburn enters the city of Tehran in Operation Guillotine, a joint operation to capture key members of the PLR leadership. This Xbox 360 gameplay trailer showcases one of the many single player missions found in Battlefield 3!

Our beloved Sonic the Hedgehog will be taking part in the 2011 Rebel Sport Run4Fun challenge on Sunday November 6 2011 as he prepares himself for the launch of his new game Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Please visit Sonic’s fundraising page http://www.everydayhero.com.au/sonic_the_hedgehog for more details on how to sponsor him. All donations will be donated to The Sydney Children’s Foundation which is the principal fundraising body for the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick.

Support Sonic by helping him reach his fundraising target of $5000 as he gets ready to run for the kids. Sonic will keep you posted on his fundraising progress and of course his placement on the day! Please keep a look out for more details on Sonic’s official Facebook  and Twitter accounts.

For more information about Rebel Sport Run4Fun please visit  www.run4fun.com.au

From Touchstone Pictures comes William Shakespeare’s final masterpiece The Tempest, arriving on Disney DVD on November 2. Helmed by Julie Taymor, the award-winning director of the theatrical production of ‘The Lion King’, Taymor filters Shakespeare’s timeless comedy of revenge, romance and reconciliation through her unique visual prism with an all-star cast, led by Oscar® winner Helen Mirren and also starring Russell Brand, Reeve Carney, Tom Conti, Chris Cooper, Alan Cumming, Djimon Hounsou, Felicity Jones, Alfred Molina, David Strathairn and Ben Whishaw.

In Taymor’s The Tempest, the director brings an original dynamic to the Bard’s 400 year old story by changing the gender of the traditionally male sorcerer Prospero into the sorceress – Prospera – portrayed by Helen Mirren.

The spectacular fantasy comes to life as Prospera’s journey spirals through vengeance to forgiveness as she reigns over a magical island, cares for her young daughter, Miranda, and unleashes her powers against shipwrecked enemies in this masterly mix of romance, tragicomedy and the supernatural.

After a harrowing shipwreck, the members of a royal court are washed ashore on various parts of a mysterious island. Their fateful arrival on this particular island is no coincidence. The exiled Prospera (Mirren) has used her magical powers to guide the ship here to settle a score with the very men who banished her from her homeland.

Abetted by her sometimes unwilling aides, Ariel (Whishaw) and Caliban (Hounsou), Prospera puts her former tormentors through some dangerous and often hilarious adventures. However, when the king’s son, Ferdinand (Carney), meets her daughter, Miranda (Jones), it is love at first sight—a kind of magic that even Prospera is powerless to control.

Shakespeare fans, theatre enthusiasts and literary buffs alike won’t want to miss the chance to own The Tempest on Disney DVD, exclusively packaged with bonus features including commentary by Julie Taymor, a Russell Brand rehearsal riff, a Mistress Mine music video as well as annotated Shakespeare experts commentary. The Tempest will be available for purchase at retail as a 1-Disc DVD for $39.95 RRP.

THE SAMURAI WILL RISE ON 27 SEPTEMBER – FREE CONTENT TO CELEBRATE!

Friday 16^th September 2011 – SEGA® Europe Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced that Rise of the Samurai, the new downloadable campaign for the critically acclaimed Total War: SHOGUN 2™ will be available from digital distributors from 27 September.

To celebrate the launch of ‘The Rise of the Samurai’, players will receive a free update on the day of release which will include three new castle types set across five new maps, for a total of fifteen new Shogun 2 campaign siege-battle maps. The Creative Assembly will also be running future double-XP weekends, enabling all Shogun 2 players engaged in online battles to earn double the experience for their units and avatars, further details of these will be shared with the Total War community shortly.

The update also brings considerable enhancements to multiplayer. The new ‘prestige’ system enables avatars to enjoy new levels of career advancement, and numerous tweaks and balances will be introduced. In addition there will be a large number of fixes and adjustments to further enhance the Shogun 2 experience. And of course, the update is free, so no purchase of Rise of The Samurai is necessary to benefit from these additions. Banzai!

Total War: SHOGUN 2 pushes forward the hugely successful Total War series by perfecting the features from previous games such as full 3D land and naval battles and a detailed campaign map, whilst adding an exciting new multiplayer experience. Total War: SHOGUN 2 released in March 2011.

For more information about the game, please visit www.totalwar.com

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

• New “Near Threshold Voltage Processor” from Intel Labs challenges the computing system status quo with an experimental Pentium®-class Intel® architecture CPU delivering five times the energy efficiency and the ability to run off a solar cell the size of a postage stamp.
• Intel Labs released a “Parallel JS” engine to the open source community, adding data-parallel capabilities to JavaScript™ to speed up browser-based services such as computer vision, cryptography, and 3-D games by up to 8-fold.
• Intel Labs unveiled the Hybrid Memory Cube with 7-times better energy efficiency than today’s DDR3 memory along with the highest data rates ever seen in a single DRAM device.
• Intel CTO Justin Rattner highlighted the accelerating impact of multi- and many-core computing, expanding beyond HPC with developers solving a wide range of everyday computing problems on both clients and servers.

INTEL DEVELOPER FORUM, San Francisco, Sept. 15, 2011 – Citing the impact of multi- and many-core computing hitting the mainstream and new developments in extreme scale computing as examples, Justin Rattner, Intel’s chief technology officer, told an Intel Developer Forum audience that the future of computing is being accelerated.
    “Since 2006 Intel and the IA developer community have worked in partnership to realize the potential of multi- and many-core computing, with accelerating impact beyond high-performance computing to solving a wide range of real-world computing problems on clients and servers,” Rattner said during his Day 3 keynote in San Francisco. “What we have demonstrated today only scratches the surface of what will be possible with many-core and extreme scale computing systems in the future.”

Computing to the Extreme
   Intel continues to push tech beyond today’s limits, looking for the next big leaps that take computing to the next levels of performance with much less power consumption than is possible today. As an example, Rattner demonstrated a Near-Threshold Voltage Processor using novel, ultra-low voltage circuits that dramatically reduce energy consumption by operating close to threshold, or turn-on voltage, of the transistors. This concept CPU runs fast when needed but drops power to below 10 milliwatts when its workload is light – low enough to keep running while powered only by a solar cell the size of a postage stamp. While the research chip will not become a product itself, the results of this research could lead to the integration of scalable near-threshold voltage circuits across a wide range of future products, reducing power consumption by 5-fold or more and extending always-on capability to a wider range of computing devices. Technologies such as this will further Intel Labs’ goal to reduce energy consumption per computation by 100- to1000-fold for applications ranging from massive data processing at one end of the spectrum to terascale-in-a-pocket at the other.
     The Hybrid Memory Cube, a concept DRAM developed by Micron* in collaboration with Intel, demonstrates a new approach to memory design delivering a 7-fold improvement in energy-efficiency over today’s DDR3. Hybrid Memory Cube uses a stacked memory chip configuration, forming a compact “cube,” and uses a new, highly efficient memory interface which sets the bar for energy consumed per bit transferred while supporting data rates of one trillion bits per second. This research could lead to dramatic improvements in servers optimized for cloud computing as well as ultrabooks, televisions, tablets and smartphones
  
Multicore’s Many Uses
    Multi-core, the practice of building more than one processing engine into a single chip, has become the accepted method to increase performance while keeping power consumption low. While many-core is more of a design perspective, rather than incrementally adding cores in a traditional approach, it’s reinventing chip design based on the assumption that high core counts is the new norm.
   Rattner highlighted the progress multi-core computing has seen since he introduced Intel’s first dual-core processor at IDF 5 years ago. Today Intel’s multi- and many-core processors are hosting a myriad of important applications across a wide range of industry sectors, including some surprising new uses in the rapidly advancing world of high-core-count computing.
   Rattner described some of the latest applications of this technology along with the software tools and programming techniques that are enabling developers to harness the power of multi- and many-core computing in several key areas, including:

• Faster Web Apps: Extending JavaScript™ with data-parallel programming features, using a just-released experimental Parallel JS open-source engine from Intel Labs, to enable a new class of browser-based apps in domains such as photo and video editing, physics simulation, and 3-D gaming for desktop and mobile personal computers, including Ultrabooks™.
• More Responsive Cloud Services: Best-in-class increases in queries per second for Memcached applications using the multi-core capabilities of Intel’s 2nd Generation Intel® Core™ microprocessor to enable the world’s largest Internet sites to improve their Web app responsiveness and minimize user wait times for critical data.
• Improved PC Client Security: Parallel cryptographic and facial recognition services to improve security on Ultrabooks and traditional notebook and desktop personal computers by utilizing all of the IA and graphics cores on 2nd Generation Intel Core microprocessors in a heterogeneous fashion.
• Lower Cost Wireless Infrastructure: Collaborative research with China Mobile to replace the custom and costly base-station hardware used on cell towers today with a fully programmable and far more cost-effective, software-based PC alternative.
• Really Big Science: Unlocking the mysteries of the universe by utilizing clusters of Intel multi-core processors at CERN* to greatly improve their high-energy physics app performance and to quickly port their code to Intel’s upcoming Many Integrated Core (MIC) architecture product family.

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.