Naked Ninja Pirate? Cheerleader assassin? Fat guy with best-in-class mustache? Beginning today, the choice is yours. THQ and Volition are proud to announce that the Saints Row: Initiation Station beta begins… right now! 

Create, share, and upload your most devious character creations with the Initiation Station. Log on to the Saints Row community site at SaintsRow.com to vote on your favorites and save them to your character queue. Come November 15, download your favorites directly into Saints Row: The Third and prepare to wreak maximum havoc in Steelport dressed however damn well you please. 

For those that purchased the Saints Row: Double Pack or pre-ordered Red Faction: Armageddon and redeemed their Initiation Station beta code at SaintsRow.com, their download codes will be emailed to them directly. Check that inbox. 

Following the limited-access beta period, the public Initiation Station will be available to download on PSN, Xbox Live, and Steam on November 1. 

To guide you through the features of the Initiation Station, we’ve included a handy tutorial video featuring our very own Quality Assurance Team, brought to you by Penthouse.

QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA- October 26, 2011. The countdown has begun for the release of one of this year’s biggest titles, Battlefield 3! To celebrate this blockbuster title EB Games, Australia’s biggest video games retailer, is holding special midnight and breakfast launch events at a variety of locations across Australia.

At 12.01am Thursday the 27th of October eager fans can get their hands on Battlefield 3 by pre-ordering and attending the EB Games midnight launch events held at the following locations:

• EB Games Macarthur Square, NSW[i]
• EB Games Werribee, VIC[ii]
• EB Games Indooroopilly, QLD[iii]

As well as being one of the first in Australia to get their hands on a copy of Battlefield 3, EB Games customers will enjoy a variety of entertainment and giveaways at each store including:

• Free pizza to line the stomach before an intense night of gaming
• Showbags for the first 200 attendees
• A Nerf gun sniper range to hone those skills before battle
• Green screen photo opportunity whereby customers will be superimposed into Battlefield 3 game-play (Macarthur Square and Indooroopilly ONLY)
• Free Red Bull
• A DJ playing the latest tracks to get customers through the wait
• Special EA prize giveaways
• A special Battlefield 3 cinema experience (Indooroopilly ONLY)

A special breakfast launch will also be held at EB Games Galleria[iv], WA, where customers can pick up their copy of Battlefield 3 at 8am. Launch activities will include:

• Free donuts
• Showbags for the first 200 attendees
• A Nerf gun sniper range to hone those skills before battle
• Green screen photo opportunity whereby customers will be superimposed into Battlefield 3 gameplay
• Special EA prize giveaways

Media are invited to attend any of the three midnight launch events kicking off at 10pm local time in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

EB Games will also be opening at midnight in over 300 locations across Australia. Customers should check with their local store for details.

Rated MA 15+ and R16 in Australia and New Zealand respectively, Battlefield 3 will be available the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, the Xbox 360® videogame entertainment system and the PC. For more information on Battlefield 3, please visit www.battlefield.com.

About EB Games
EB Games Australia head office is located in Queensland, with retail stores operating in every Australian State and Territory. EB Games Australia is part of GameStop Corp- the world’s largest multi channel video game retailer. Currently EB Games have 400 retail stores in Australia and New Zealand. The Company sells new and preowned video game software, hardware and accessories for video game systems from Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft and Apple. In addition, the company sells PC entertainment software, related accessories and other merchandise. General information on EB Games can be obtained at the company’s website: http://www.ebgames.com.au.

About Battlefield 3
Winner of over 60 industry awards worldwide Battlefield 3 goes above and beyond the competition with the state-of-the-art Frostbite™ 2 game engine that creates a massive sense of scale, completely destructible environments and lets players pilot a range of vehicles from jets and tanks to choppers and jeeps. With the addition of Battlelog, the free Battlefield social network service, fans old and new can stay connected as they rise to the challenge to become one of the world’s best soldiers. For more information on Battlefield 3, please visit www.battlefield.com, and for the latest news on Battlefield please visit http://www.facebook.com/battlefield or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/battlefield.

Critically Acclaimed Sequel From Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Rocksteady Studios Becomes the Highest Reviewed Videogame of 2011 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation®3 system

SYDNEY, Australia – October 26, 2011 –Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment today announced that Batman: Arkham City™, the critically acclaimed videogame developed by Rocksteady Studios, has shipped more than 4.6 million units worldwide since its October 19 Australian launch on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.

The week one sales figure for Batman: Arkham City is more than double the number of units sold of Batman: Arkham Asylum in the same time period and solidifies the game’s place as a contender for one of the top-selling titles of 2011. Additionally, the game currently stands as the highest reviewed PS3™ and Xbox 360 game of 2011 on Metacritic.com with average scores of 96 and 95 respectivly.*

SEGA’s Classic Arcade Racer Gets a Rolling Start on PlayStation®Network and Xbox LIVE Arcade       

Wednesday 26^th October 2011 – SEGA® Europe Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc. are pleased to announce that  Daytona USA will arrive on Xbox LIVE® Arcade for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft today. Daytona® USA will be available on PlayStation®Network in late November this year in Europe and Australia. Both versions of the game feature newly enhanced graphics, steering wheel support, online multiplayer, and will provide the thrills of the arcade classic from the comfort of players’ living rooms. Daytona USA will be available to download on PSN for AUS$12.95 and 800 Microsoft Points. 

“Daytona USA is the game that truly defined head-to-head racing for a generation of arcade gamers,” said Haruki Satomi, Vice President of Digital Publishing for SEGA of America. “We have re-created every element of the Daytona experience for the new console version. Having the ability to play the game in online multiplayer turns your living room into the arcades of yesteryear.” 

The re-release of Daytona USA features:

• Fresh Oil and a New Coat of Paint: Experience the classic retro graphics of the original arcade hit in an enhanced,16:9 widescreen format
• Let’s Go Away: Re-live your glory days of racing to the sounds of the original Daytona USA soundtrack, also available in Karaoke Mode – admit it, you know you have been singing along anyway
• Pedal to the Metal: Drive like a pro with included support for the Logitech GT Driving Force steering wheel controller on PS3™, and all Xbox 360-supported steering wheel controllers
• Reach the Winner’s Circle: Challenge AI opponents in Arcade Mode, race the clock in Survival and Time Trial Modes, and trade paint with up to eight players in online multiplayer to place on the worldwide leaderboard 

For more information on Daytona USA, please visit http://www.sega.com/

SYDNEY, Australia — October 24th, 2011 — Logitech (SIX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) today announced the Australian availability of two new webcams, the Logitech® HD Webcam C615 and the Logitech® HD Webcam C525. Both webcams’ fold-and-go design, coupled with autofocus capabilities, and a 360-degree swivel rotation, allow for easy video calling and HD recording anytime, anywhere.

The Logitech HD Webcam C615 and Logitech HD Webcam C525 both feature built-in autofocus, helping ensure picture quality will be razor sharp – even in extreme closeups – and a built-in mic that helps make sure background noise won’t spoil video calls. With Logitech’s newest webcams, users can also capture software-enhanced 8-megapixel images, while built-in Logitech Fluid Crystal™ Technology gives users smoother video, sharper pictures, richer color and clearer sound in real-world conditions.

So you can better stay in touch with your friends, family and coworkers. Both new webcams are capable of enabling video calls in HD 720p on Skype™, Logitech Vid™ HD and Windows Live™ Messenger, as well as video calls on Yahoo!® Messenger, AOL® Instant Messenger (AIM®) and other popular instant messaging applications. Logitech HD Webcam C615 also works with FaceTime® for Mac and iChat. Both webcams includes one-click HD video and photo upload to Facebook™, as well as HD video upload to YouTube™ and Twitter, so you can easily share video recordings.

Logitech® HD Webcam C615
To bring extra flexibility, this webcam comes with a 3-foot USB cable with an extender, and has a tripod-ready design so you can easily capture video from any vantage point.
“We know how important it is for today’s travellers to stay connected, whether they’re on the road for business or leisure, so we are pleased to offer an HD webcam that simplifies video calling and sharing videos on the go,” said Annabelle Woods, General Manager for Logitech Australia. “The Logitech HD Webcam C615 is designed for maximum flexibility no matter what the needs may be, with the equipment necessary for HD recordings right in the box and easy-to-use editing features for both Mac and PC users.”

Logitech HD Webcam C525
With the Logitech HD Webcam C525 users can log in to their computer using a 60-day, free trial of Fast Access face-recognition software. Simply plug in the Logitech HD Webcam C525 and download the software to the PC. The webcam will instantly take a scan of the users face and set the image as the password, using the user’s face to protect access to sites and lock the computer when away. Video effects can be used to spice up calls, including neon splashes, fish-eye distortions and a Mask Maker. Logitech has also teamed up with MAGIX to offer free MAGIX™ Photo Manager 9 and MAGIX™ Video Easy software for seamless editing. 

Pricing and Availability
The Logitech HD Webcam C615 is available for a suggested retail price of AU$99.95 and will be stocked at JB Hi-Fi and Officeworks. The Logitech HD Webcam will be available for a suggested retail price of AU$79.95 and will be stocked at Bing Lee, Dick Smith Electronics, JB Hi-Fi, Myer Officeworks and The Good Guys.

Both webcams are on shelves now.

To keep up-to-date with the latest Logitech Australia news
Join us on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/LogitechAustralia or follow us on Twitter:http://twitter.com/logitech_au.

About Logitech
Logitech is a world leader in products that connect people to the digital experiences they care about. Spanning multiple computing, communication and entertainment platforms, Logitech’s combined hardware and software enable or enhance digital navigation, music and video entertainment, gaming, social networking, audio and video communication over the Internet, video security and home-entertainment control. Founded in 1981, Logitech International is a Swiss public company listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (LOGI).

Brisbane, AUSTRALIA (25^th October, 2011) – SEGA® Studios Australia are pleased to announce that studio team members Matt Dalby and Sanatana (Nart) Mishra have taken out the Play Well Cup for 2011, defeating the team from CBS Interactive in a tense final.

The Play Well Cup is an Australian Starcraft 2 league where geeky Australian companies battle it out in support of Child’s Play, a charity raising money for the Mater Children’s Hospital in Brisbane & the Sydney Children’s Hospital. This year, over $1,600 has been raised for this wonderful charity.

The 8 week tournament saw some great head-to-head battles that culminated in the Grand Final which was broadcast live from The Edge at Southbank, Brisbane on October 19^th as part of the Independent Games Festival.

 “SEGA Studios Australia is thrilled to be involved in the Play Well Cup and to help raise much needed funds for such a worthy cause. We are very proud of Nart & Matt and we look forward to their title defence next year!” commented Marcus Fielding, Studio Director of Sega Studios Australia.

Donations to Child’s Play can still be made at the website (http://playwellcup.com.au). You can also book your company team’s place for the next Play Well Cup, starting late January 2012.

For more information on SEGA Studios Australia please visit www.segastudios.com.au

What’s On at Melbourne Museum

November 2011 to February 2012

Melbourne Cup Day

Come and celebrate Melbourne Cup Day with our great racing hero Phar Lap. Join the Racing Carnival festivities with a range of family activities. Make a flip book that brings Phar Lap back to life as you flick through its pages, make yourself some carnival finery or watch the entire race action live.

Date: 1 Nov 2011

Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs

The Tutankhamun exhibition comes to Australia for the first time. Revel in the splendour of Ancient Egypt as you view a dazzling array of possessions unearthed from the boy king’s tomb. See Tutankhamun’s golden canopic coffinette and the crown found on his head when the tomb was discovered. Learn about the extraordinary discovery of the tomb and the belief and burial processes of ancient Egypt. View results from the latest scientific testing conducted on Tutankhamun’s mummy and what it is telling researchers about his life and death. The exhibition has drawn over seven million visitors in the United States and London in the past five years.

Tickets now on sale. To guarantee a ticket, you must pre-book. Visit kingtutmelbourne.com.au to buy your tickets.

Cost: Adult $29.50–$35.00, Concession $26.50–$32.00, Child $17.50–$19.50. Additional transaction fees apply.

Date: until 4 Dec 2011

Ancestral power and the aesthetic: Arnhem Land paintings and objects from the Donald Thomson Collection

Donald Thomson’s research was innovative for its time and the resulting collection remains dynamic and inspiring. Ancestral power and the aesthetic explores through the Thomson collection and research the complex understandings of place, history and experience in the art and culture of Arnhem Land.

Date: 11 Nov 2011 to 12 Feb 2012

Our Children Our Future

Our Children Our Future is an exhibition by Koorie children and youth that celebrates the strength, diversity and vibrancy of Victorian Aboriginal culture. It is the result of a collaborative project between the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA), Aboriginal Elders, artists and community members from across the state. VACCA provide a series of creative workshops for Koorie children to spend time with Elders, artists and community members to learn about their culture and interpret them through song, dance and visual art. Many of the children’s achievements from the workshops are on display in Our Children Our Future.    

Date: 11 Nov 2011 to 5 Feb 2012

Melbourne Museum, Nicholson Street, Carlton. Open daily 10.00am – 5.00pm. For further details phone 13 11 02 or visit museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum