Publisher Deep Silver Working Quickly to Fill Restocking Orders

LARKSPUR, Calif. – Sept. 13, 2011 – Deep Silver, the publisher of the summer’s biggest action horror blockbuster, Dead Island™ (www.deadisland.com), announced today that it has shipped more than 1 million retail copies of Dead Island in North America in the first few days of availability. In addition, Dead Island has held the #1 chart position in many global markets including the UK and France as well as on Steam, and will have sold 2 million units globally to retailers by the end of this week.

Dead Island launched on September 6 in North America and has been lauded by U.S. critics: Game Informer Magazine said Dead Island “scratched an itch I didn’t even know I had” and awarded it an 8.5 out of 10, while IGN’s TeamXbox.com hails the Dead Island experience with a score of 9 out of 10 and an Editor’s Choice Award, “They do so much that hasn’t been done, and do it so right.” Additionally, PC Gamer Magazine said of Dead Island that it’s “a wide-open tropical wonderland of loot-driven zombie slaughter” and tallied its score at an 8.3 out of 10 while MTV’s Gametrailers.com awarded Dead Island with an 8.5 out of 10 score.

Developed by Techland, Dead Island combines first-person action with a heavy focus on melee combat, character development and customization of a vast array of weapons. The engaging survival-focused gameplay aspects are combined with a rich and immersive storyline in which a small group of people find themselves in a tropical paradise turned into total chaos and carnage after a mysterious zombie outbreak. Cut off from the rest of the world, the player’s only chance to survive is to fight to the death and find a way to escape from the island.

“We’re thrilled at the retail reception Dead Island has achieved in its first few days,” said Geoff Mulligan, Chief Operating  Officer at Deep Silver, “The critical ‘first week’ of game sales has been an enormous sales success for Deep Silver. We’re working quickly with our distribution partner in North America, Square Enix, to restock shelves as quickly as we can.”

“With more than a million copies sold, I feel good knowing that the world is now more prepared than ever for what to do should a real zombie invasion ever threaten humanity.” said Mike Fischer, president and CEO of Square Enix, Inc.

Featuring four customizable, unique character classes and engrossing role-playing elements combined with an intense four player co-op experience, Dead Island stands out as one of the most comprehensive zombie experiences to date.

Dead Island is available now for the suggested retail price of $59.99 for consoles and $49.99 PC.  It is rated M for Mature by the ESRB.

Official website:  http://www.deadisland.com

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/deadislandgame

Twitter: @deadislandgame

A new hero dons the Ultimate comic Spider-Man costume today in the Ultimate Comics universe, and we’re excited to reveal that players will be able to wear the brand-new suit in the upcoming Spider-Man: Edge of Time!

From Marvel, a little bit of background info about what’s happening in the Ultimate Spider-Man comic book universe: “Pop culture history will be made today as ULTIMATE COMICS FALLOUT #4 hits shelves and introduces readers to the all-new Ultimate Comics Spider-Man! That’s right, for the first time ever, someone other than Peter Parker will be Spider-Man!”

September 2011 will see Melbourne transformed into a colour and art feast for tattoo and body art enthusiasts with the opening of the inaugural Melbourne Tattoo & Body Art Expo, 16-18th September. Over 120 Australian and international artists will come together to showcase their skills where they’ll tattoo, pierce and modify the brave.

Previously held in Sydney for the last three years drawing international celebrities including Ruthless, star of international reality TV series, LA Ink; the Melbourne Tattoo & Body Art Expo will showcase local talent in a cultured Victorian community of underground, tattoo and body art creatives.

Special guests will include Toni “The Face” Cronin, formerly Chopper Reed’s chauffeur and bodyguard, a well known author of more than 13 books including A path that could have killed me and The Face, Parts 1-7. Easily identifiable by his tattoo-covered body, Toni “The Face” Cronin will be available for photo opportunities and sharing his insights into his life.

Attendees with awe-inspiring body art are invited to enter the daily Tattoo Contest where even those freshly inked at the show, can compete to win in the ‘Best Tattoo of the Day’ category. Expo tickets and appointments with preferred artists should be confirmed early to avoid disappointment.

As a collaborative project, all artists will work on a large canvas throughout the 3 days and the completed artwork will be auctioned on Sunday 18^th September, where all the proceeds will be donated to the Expo Charity – Cure Our Kids at Westmead Children’s Hospital, Sydney.

A huge range of stalls will showcase the latest fashion, body jewellery, tattoo supplies, books and magazines as well as temporary tattoos for the less adventurous.

DATES: Friday 16^th – Saturday 17^th September 2011 – 12.00pm to 10.00pm and Sunday 18^th September, 2011 – 11.00am – 7.00pm

VENUE: Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre

TICKETS: Can be purchased online at www.tattooexpo.com.au $20.00 single day or at the door for $25.00

MORE INFO: www.tattooexpo.com.au

SYDNEY – September 14, 2011 – Xbox today announced that it will lower its recommended retail price of Xbox 360 with Kinect bundles in Australia by AUD$50. From tomorrow, September 15, the recommended retail price (RRP) of the 4GB Xbox 360 with Kinect bundle and the 250GB Xbox 360 with Kinect bundle will be AUD$399 RRP and AUD$499 RRP respectively.^*

Xbox will also introduce an entry level console to the Australian market retailing at AUD$249 RRP with the standalone 4GB Xbox 360, available for the first time in October. Completing the Xbox 360 range, the new Xbox 360 4GB console has built-in wi-fi, a black wireless controller, a standard definition composite A/V cable, and comes with a free one-month Xbox LIVE Gold Membership.

Commenting on the new console and pricing, Andy Coughlin, Retail Lead, Microsoft Australia said: “With families gearing up for school holidays they will be looking for ways to keep the kids entertained, and Kinect offers something that parents and their kids can participate in together. We are pleased to now offer Xbox 360 and Kinect bundles at new lower prices, meaning Kinect and Xbox have never been more affordable.

“There will be some amazing new games and experiences to come to Kinect in the next few months including voice control, Kinect Disneyland Adventures, Kinect Sports Season 2, Dance Central 2^#. Couple this with HD movies on demand⁺ and FOXTEL on Xbox 360⁺⁺ value on the Xbox is the strongest we have seen,” Andy said.

During school holidays Xbox will also be showcasing Xbox and Kinect experiences as well as its new games line-up around the country with a series of events. Australians will be able to try Kinect and games such as Kinect Disneyland Adventures, Kinect Sports Season 2, Fruit Ninja and Dance Central 2^# in shopping centers and The Melbourne Show from September 19^th.

A new exhibition at Immigration Museum looks at the history of British child migration that occurred under child migration schemes from the 1860s through to 1967. 

On their own – Britain’s child migrants reveals a largely untold chapter of migration history – that of British children who were sent to Australia and other Commonwealth countries under government-endorsed child migration schemes. The schemes changed the lives of these children and their families dramatically.

The exhibition explores the history and motivations behind child migration schemes and conveys the experiences shared by children as young as four who endured the uncertainty of a long journey and the confronting arrival. On their own follows the lives of some former child migrants in their own words, letters, photographs, objects and other personal collections.

A section developed by Immigration Museum and the Child Migrants Trust focuses on the personal narratives of former child migrants sent to the Victorian and Tasmanian homes.  

As many as 7,500 British children came to Australia as part of the schemes. “Few of the children were actually orphans; their situations varied greatly,” said Kim Tao, Exhibition Curator, Australian National Maritime Museum. “The official government reason for placing children throughout the Commonwealth was to improve their lives and increase the population of ‘good British stock’ and labour in the colonies. Boys were expected to become farmers and girls were expected to become domestics or wives on the land.”

When the children arrived in Australia they were the responsibility of either State or Federal governments and were taken to remote farm training schools and religious institutions where they were subject to a range of experiences, which had many and varied effects on the children. Many are still coming to terms with their past and are attempting to move forward and to heal their lives.

While some children had better experiences and opportunities than others, the migration schemes are now largely recognised as flawed social policy. They were officially ended in Australia in 1967. Both the British and Australian governments have formally apologised for their roles in the schemes, which were described by the 2001 Australian Senate Inquiry ‘Lost Innocents’ as “fundamentally flawed with tragic consequence.”

“On their own looks at the legacy of the experiences that remain with the child migrants,” said Padmini Sebastian, Manager, Immigration Museum. “The exhibition provides an important link between history and personal experience, for a story that has remained largely untold – except by the child migrants themselves”.

On their own – Britain’s child migrants is an Australian National Maritime Museum Travelling Exhibition in association with National Museums Liverpool UK.

On their own – Britain’s child migrants

13 October 2011 to 6 May 2012

Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders Street Melbourne

Adults $10, children and concessions FREE

www.britainschildmigrants.com

Continues to Make Latest Technology More Affordable for All

Melbourne, Australia, 14 September 2011 – Kogan today began the next phase in its mission to make the latest technology affordable for all. Kogan.com now sells more of the World’s most popular consumer electronics brands and products at the World’s best prices.

In true Kogan style, it is smashing the competition on price by cutting out the middle-men – sourcing brands like Canon, Nikon, Apple and Samsung higher up in the supply chain, and selling direct to consumers through Kogan.com.

Until now, the prices that Australians have been paying for consumer electronics have been significantly above World averages. That is all about to change.

Ruslan Kogan said the expansion was a natural extension of the existing business, which will greatly benefit all Australian shoppers.

“We have learned from our friends at Dell, who decided to add to their existing core range of computers with a whole host of complementary products, including Kogan TVs. Just as Dell has become synonymous with best value in computers, Kogan is becoming synonymous with best value in other technology products.

“Kogan is already globally renowned as the place to go for the best value consumer electronics that we design, assemble, and deliver, including TVs, Blu-ray players, Digital Internet Radios, Home Appliances and more.

“We are experts at finding new innovative ways of delivering the latest technology at market leading prices. Whether it is manufacturing our own Kogan brand of products, or now sourcing the World’s biggest brands, we can cut out all the middlemen to guarantee the best prices and service,” Kogan said.

The initial range of products will include the most popular Digital SLR Cameras and Tablets. As with all Kogan products, the new range will come with a 12 month warranty, which is extendable up to 5 years.

Just weeks ago Kogan put its money where its mouth is by offering free TVs to anyone who could find an equivalent product advertised for cheaper at JB Hi-Fi or Harvey Norman. All of Australia saw that nobody can come close to its TV prices, and Kogan won the big screen TV price war.

Kogan’s announcement today will take another massive chunk of Harvey Norman’s and JB Hi-Fi’s market share by offering the World’s best prices on Apple, Motorola, Acer, Samsung, Canon and Nikon products.

Here is a price comparison table for just some of the products:

* Prices as at 10am on 14 September 2011. Where a link is not provided, prices are not available online and were received by telephone.

SEA/ANZ BATTLE.NET INVITATIONAL THIS WEEKEND

The Invitational kicks off with the first four matches with our eight invited players. Round 1 matches start from 1pm AEST, and you can catch the live stream online here.

For the full schedule, head over to the StarCraft II Community Site, where you can also check out detailed player profiles for all the competitors, including:

Andrew “mOOnGLaDe” Pender (zerg) – Australia

Ray “nGenLight” Zi (protoss) – Australia

Tim “nGenMafia” Lei He (zerg) – Australia

Yoon “YoonYJ” Yo Jun (terran) – Australia

Thanapol “NeoRedArchon” Kuachart (terran) – Thailand

Daniel “TAdeth” Haynes (terran) – Australia

David “TARossi” Rossi (terran) – Australia

Sung “nGenJazBas” Cho (zerg) – New Zealand

With $13,000 USD in prizes up for grabs, and the top two players going on to the global finals at BlizzCon, we’re in for an intense competition.

Further information on the map pool and prizing can be found on the original blog post.

New Epic Fantasy trilogy from Mark Lawrence has everyone talking …

Prince of Thorns

‘Dark and relentless, “Prince of Thorns” will pull you under and drown you in story. A two in the morning page turner. Jaw-dropping’

–       Robin Hobb

Before the thorns taught me their sharp lessons and bled weakness from me I had but one brother, and I loved him well. But those days are gone and what is left of them lies in my mother’s tomb. Now, I have many brothers, quick with knife and sword, and as evil as you please. We ride this broken empire and loot its corpse. They say these are violent times, the end of days when the dead roam and monsters haunt the night. All that’s true enough, but there’s something worse out there, in the dark. Much worse.

From being a privileged royal child, raised by a loving mother, Jorg Ancrath has become the Prince of Thorns, a charming, immoral boy leading a grim band of outlaws in a series of raids and atrocities. The world is in chaos: violence is rife, nightmares everywhere.

Jorg has the ability to master the living and the dead, but there is still one thing that puts a chill in him. Returning to his father’s castle Jorg must confront horrors from his childhood and carve himself a future with all hands turned against him. Mark Lawrence’s debut novel tells a tale of blood and treachery, magic and brotherhood and paints a compelling and brutal, and sometimes beautiful, picture of an exceptional boy on his journey toward manhood and the throne.

About the author:

Mark Lawrence is married with four children, one of whom is severely disabled. His day job as a research scientist focuses on problems in the field of artificial intelligence. He has held secret level clearance with both US and UK governments. At one point he was qualified to say ‘this isn’t rocket science … oh wait, it actually is’. Between work and caring for his disabled child, Mark spends his time writing, playing computer games, tending an allotment, brewing beer and avoiding DIY.

Company Develops First Hardware-Assisted Security with Intel to Eliminate Sub- Operating System Threats

INTEL DEVELOPER FORUM, SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 13, 2011 – The threat landscape is rapidly changing to one of advanced persistent threats and stealth attacks. A new approach to security is needed to stay ahead of the cybercriminals, and today McAfee unveiled McAfee DeepSAFE. The new technology, which will help fundamentally change and reshape the security industry, was demonstrated by McAfee at Intel Developer Forum (IDF) during Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini’s keynote. Otellini outlined the opportunities and challenges that face the industry given the proliferation of smart devices. 

      McAfee and Intel recognize that in order to ensure users have an engaging and productive computing experience, it is essential that devices are protected against intrusions from security breaches and malware in more effective ways than are available today. Every type of device is vulnerable, and it is this recognition combined with the desire to take a holistic approach to secure computing that led to the Intel and McAfee collaboration.

     With the announcement of this new DeepSAFE technology, McAfee and Intel are working to change the industry by combining the power of hardware and software to create much more sophisticated ways to prevent attacks.  Cybercriminals know how to evade current operating systems-based security, demanding a new paradigm – security beyond the operating system.

      “This is a tremendous shift for McAfee and one of the biggest innovations in the security industry’s history,” said Todd Gebhart, co-president of McAfee. “McAfee DeepSAFE uses hardware features already in the Intel processors to provide security beyond the OS. From this unique vantage point, DeepSAFE can apply new techniques to deliver a whole new generation of protection in real time to prevent malicious activity and not just detect infections.” 

      McAfee DeepSAFE, co-developed with Intel, is a technology that allows McAfee to develop hardware-assisted security products to take advantage of a “deeper” security footprint. The technology sits below the OS providing a vantage point that helps fundamentally change the security game. McAfee DeepSAFE enables innovative new protection technologies including proactively detecting and preventing stealthy advanced persistent threats (APTs) and malware. Many APTs include stealth techniques such as rootkits that embed themselves deep in the OS to evade current security solutions.

      Demonstrated on stage today was one way to apply this new vantage point, in rootkit prevention. According to McAfee Labs, more than 1,200 new rootkits per day are detected – equating to 50 per hour every single day. A system running the DeepSAFE technology was able to detect and stop a zero day Agony rootkit from infecting a system in real time. This technology is expected to launch in products later in 2011.

McAfee DeepSAFE:

• Builds the foundation for next generation hardware-assisted security operating beyond the operating system
• Provides a trusted view of system events below the operating system
• Exposes many attacks that are undetectable today
• New vantage point to block sophisticated stealth techniques and APTs
• Provides real time CPU event monitoring with minimal performance impact
• Combines the power of hardware and flexibility of software to deliver a new foundation for security

   “Intel and McAfee are working on joint technologies to better protect every segment across the compute continuum from PCs to devices,” said Renée James, senior vice president and general manager of the Software and Services Group at Intel and the Chairman of McAfee. “By combining the features of existing Intel hardware and innovations in security software, Intel and McAfee are driving innovation in the security industry by providing a new way to protect computing devices. We are truly excited to introduce this technology upon which we will deliver new solutions.”

   “At McAfee our customers and partners trust us to help them stay ahead of the cybercriminals and keep their business protected,” said Michael DeCesare, co-president of McAfee. “This technology and our joint collaboration with Intel is the next evolution of security and will enable McAfee to continue to be the trusted security provider to our largest and most complex customers.”

   For more information on McAfee DeepSAFE visit www.mcafee.com/deepSAFE.

About McAfee
McAfee, a wholly owned subsidiary of Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC), is the world’s largest dedicated security technology company. McAfee delivers proactive and proven solutions and services that help secure systems, networks, and mobile devices around the world, allowing users to safely connect to the Internet, browse and shop the Web more securely. Backed by its unrivaled Global Threat Intelligence, McAfee creates innovative products that empower home users, businesses, the public sector and service providers by enabling them to prove compliance with regulations, protect data, prevent disruptions, identify vulnerabilities, and continuously monitor and improve their security. McAfee is relentlessly focused on constantly finding new ways to keep our customers safe. http://www.mcafee.com