– The Number One Best-selling Manga of All Time, ONE PIECE, Embarks on its Maiden Voyage Aboard the PlayStation®3 – 

19 April 2012 –NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe S.A.S. announced ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS, developed by OMEGA FORCE / TECMO KOEI GAMES CO., LTD., exclusively for the PlayStation®3computer entertainment system. The collaboration between TECMO KOEI GAMES and NAMCO BANDAI Games brings together the leading manga franchise and top fighting action to create the ONE PIECE perfect storm. ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS will be sailing into retailers across EMEA and Australasia in 2012.

The first nautical outing for the ONE PIECE series on PS3TM, ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS will immerse players in the Straw Hat Pirates’ grand voyage, letting them face up to hordes of pirate and Marine enemies and experience all the great moments from the anime right up to Marineford. Faithful to the original ONE PIECE manga by Eiichiro Oda, players will relive their favourite scenes controlling pirates including Luffy, Zorro, Nami, and others, each with their signature, including Gomu-Gomu, attacks.

Featuring the best-loved characters and the vast majority of adversaries from the ONE PIECE universe, ONE PIECE: PIRATE WARRIORS will invite players to do battle with a massive amount of opponents using the simple controls from the DYNASTY WARRIORS series. The story mode will drop players right into the heart of the rich ONE PIECE universe filled with beloved characters, powerful enemies, touching moments and memorable scenes.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – April 19, 2012 – Today, NCsoft and AreanNet, the developers of Guild Wars 2, are excited to announce the first public Beta Weekend Event for Guild Wars 2, the most anticipated game launching this year. From April 27-29 (PST), hundreds of thousands of fans that have pre-purchased Guild Wars 2 will get their first chance to explore the world of Tyria. Players will discover next weekend that Guild Wars 2 doesn’t follow tired, outdated MMO conventions, but it offers them a true online world rich with persistent, dynamic and social experiences like nothing they’ve ever played.

The only way players can guarantee access to Guild Wars 2 Beta Weekend Events is to pre-purchase the Guild Wars 2 Collector’s, Digital Deluxe, or Standard/Digital Editions. In addition to access to our Beta Weekend Events, players will receive three-day Headstart Access prior to launch and the exclusive Hero’s Band in-game item. Pre-Purchase is available at www.myguild.com.au or select retailers.

Eligible players should look for an email coming from NCsoft with additional information on how to download the client and additional account registration information. For information on the type of content players will experience in the Beta Weekend Event and exact timing, please look for an upcoming article on the ArenaNet blog at www.arena.net/blog.

About NCsoft

NCsoft, headquartered in Seoul, Korea, is the world’s premier publisher and developer of massively multiplayer online games, including the critically acclaimed Aion®, Lineage®, Guild Wars® and City of Heroes® franchises. Announced in August 2011, WildStar™ is the newest MMO being developed by internal team Carbine Studios. NCsoft West is a division of NCsoft that holds operating responsibilities for North America, Europe, South America, and Australia/New Zealand. More information can be found at www.ncsoft.com.

About Guild Wars 2

Guild Wars 2® is a visually stunning MMO that will offer players the epic grandeur of a massive role playing environment combined with innovative combat mechanics, dynamic events, and customised personal storytelling. Building on the success of Guild Wars, NCsoft and game developer ArenaNet™ are creating an MMO that lets gamers play the way they want, while at the same time retaining the no-subscription-fee business model that made the original Guild Wars so popular. For more information about Guild Wars 2, visit www.GuildWars2.com.

About QVS

As a leading interactive entertainment specialist across Australia and New Zealand, QVS is a privately owned independent software and accessories distributor that has operated in Australia for over ten years providing quality, innovative interactive software titles and accessories. The company’s main objective is to provide its clients and customers with software products and accessories that deliver a highly satisfying entertainment experience. QVS distributes products from a wide range of publishers for a variety of demographics including lifestyle, office, productivity, education and games. QVS feature titles and products from the following well-known brands: Avanquest, City Interactive, Focus Home Interactive, Focus Multimedia, Koch Media, NCsoft, Nero, PDP, Trion Worlds, Turtle Beach plus many more. www.qvsoftware.com.au

For Guild Wars 2 specific information www.myguild.com.au

Fourth Installment of the Classic Light Gun Series Now Available for PlayStation®3 

Wednesday 18^th April 2012 –SEGA® Europe Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc. today announced that the previously arcade-only light gun classic, The House of the Dead 4™, is available for download exclusively on the PlayStation®Network on 18^th April 2012. To put your creature-shooting skills to the test from the comfort of your living room, grab a copy from the PlayStation®Store today for AUD$ 11.25.

Originally released for arcades in 2005, The House of the Dead 4 added a number of new features to the core light gun action players have come to expect from the series, including hidden rooms that contain score-boosting items and interactive sequences that force players to push away grabby enemies. With an HD conversion worthy of the arcades, new trophies to earn, full PlayStation®Move support, and plenty of baddies to shoot, this is one horror story you won’t want to miss taking part in!

For more information about House of the Dead 4, visit http://www.sega.com/games/house-of-the-dead-4/

Is this a new kind of parental relationship, or is it spying?

MELBOURNE and AMSTERDAM – 18 April 2012 – 44 per cent  of parents are keeping tabs on their teens by accessing their Facebook accounts without their consent, AVG Technologies’ latest Digital Diaries  global study reveals.

Digital Coming of Age, the fifth instalment of AVG’s Digital Diaries study, features responses to AVG’s questions to 4,400 parents with 14-17 year olds in 11 countries, including Australia and New Zealand. It found that more than a third of parents were concerned that their teen’s interaction with social media sites could affect their future job prospects. Spanish parents (65 per cent) were the most concerned, while parents in the Czech Republic (29 per cent) were the least worried, compared with Italy (57 per cent), Germany (47 per cent), France (45 per cent), Australia (42 per cent), US (40 per cent), Canada (38 per cent), New Zealand (37 per cent), Japan (33 per cent) and the UK (30 per cent).

Michael McKinnon, Security Advisor at AVG (AU/NZ) Pty Ltd, said, “AVG’s latest research encourages us to consider whether Facebook and other social networking sites are creating a new kind of parental relationship, or whether we are in effect spying on our teens?  These sites are providing parents with new methods to monitor what their kids are doing without necessarily having to be ‘heavy handed’ or to quiz their child directly.”

Digital Coming of Age also unearths that nearly half of all parents surveyed globally felt that schools were effective in teaching their teens to use the internet responsibly.  UK parents have the most faith in the teaching ability of schools (59 per cent), while the Czech Republic had the lowest (31 per cent), compared with Spain (54 per cent), Australia (53 per cent), United States (49 per cent), New Zealand (47 per cent), Germany (44 per cent), Canada (43 per cent), France (43 per cent) and Italy (35 per cent).

Will Gardner, CEO, ChildNet International, commented: “We know from our work in schools that children and young people are using a wide range of devices to surf the net and we also hear from many parents who are confused about how their children are getting online and what they are doing online.  One of our key messages is to encourage parents to talk with their children and young people about what they’re doing online, who they’re talking to and to find out whether they have any safety concerns.  It’s great when families can connect online, but offline conversations are also a key part of staying safe online.”

Other key findings from the Digital Coming of Age include:

UK parents are most likely to suspect teens of ‘sexting’ – nearly one quarter (23 per cent) of UK parents suspect their kids of sexting, compared with Australia (22 per cent), United States (21 per cent), Spain (21 per cent), Canada (20 per cent), New Zealand (17 per cent), Japan (15 per cent), Italy (11 per cent), France (10 per cent), Czech Republic (13 per cent) and Germany (9 per cent)

Spanish parents (45 per cent) are most suspicious their teens are illegally downloading music – compared with parents in the Czech Republic (35 per cent), France (30 per cent), UK (28 per cent), Australia and New Zealand (27 per cent) and US (19 per cent) – UK teens could even face up to ten years in jail for illegal downloads, as a result of Britain signing the disputed Anti-Countering Trade Agreement (ACTA) bill.

Just under half of parents surveyed are concerned their teens mobile photos are geo-tagged

One fifth of UK and US parents suspect their teens of accessing pornography on their PC – compared with over a quarter of Spanish parents, and 17 per cent of Australian parents.

One fifth of UK and US parents have seen explicit or abusive messages on their offspring’s social networks – compared with over one quarter of Australian and New Zealand parents

Parents ‘friending’ teens on Facebook – over half of UK parents are connected with their teens on Facebook, compared with United States (72 per cent), Canada (66 per cent), Italy (66 per cent ), Spain (64 per cent), New Zealand (60 per cent ), Australia (57 per cent), Germany (51 per cent), Czech Republic (50 per cent), France (32 per cent) and Japan (10 per cent).

The Rise of the Robots is Almost upon Us 

Wednesday 18^th April 2012 – SEGA® Europe Ltd. and SEGA® of America, Inc. are delighted to be able to confirm that their revolutionary third person squad shooter Binary Domain will be released on PC via digital services on the 27^th April 2012.

Binary Domain is a dynamic action-adventure, featuring a cast of striking characters battling through 2080 era Tokyo in an effort to cleanse mankind of a race of hybrid robot/humans known as ‘Hollow Children’. As they explore a country ravaged by climate change and social upheaval, Dan Marshall and his R.U.S.T. crew will have to fight through both the slums of the lower city and the pristine hi-tech environments of the upper city. The R.U.S.T. Crew’s varied arsenal of tactics and weaponry will be necessary in order to emerge victorious in thrilling boss encounters, while Binary Domain’s procedural damage system allows players to shred their robotic foes limb-by-limb in high-intensity fire fights.

Pre-order bonuses are available for the digital version. The ‘Dan Marshall Pack’ focuses on Binary Domain’s playable protagonist of the same name, and features additional bionic upgrades and weaponry. The ‘Multiplayer Pack’ adds the ‘Ninja’ playable class, a unique character type with a focus on surprise attacks and adaptive combat. The new ‘Outside High-rise, Upper City’ map and additional weapon types round out Binary Domain’s already-comprehensive multiplayer experience. Please check your favoured digital distributor for further information on availability.

For more information please visit http://www.sega.com/games/binary-domain/.

SYDNEY, 18 April, 2012: Canon has been awarded with six prestigious “Best Product 2012” awards by the highly respected Technical Image Press Association (TIPA), representing 29 photography and imaging magazines across 14 European countries. The six award-winning products are: the EF8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM interchangeable lens, the EOS-1D X digital SLR camera, the EOS 5D Mark III digital SLR camera, the PowerShot G1 X compact digital camera, the EOS C300 digital cinema camera, and the PIXMA MG8250 inkjet printer.

“2012 will be Canon Australia’s biggest year yet with a once-in-a-decade product range and local market partnerships and initiatives to drive value for consumers. It is a proud and fitting achievement that in 2012 we have received our highest-ever number of TIPA awards in a single year,” said Jason McLean, Director – Canon Consumer Imaging, Canon Australia. “The TIPA awards are highly sought after in our industry and illustrate the comprehensive strength of our diverse product line-up from capture to print and consumer to professional users.”

“We are particularly pleased with TIPA’s recognition of Canon’s digital SLR cameras supporting high-quality video capture and the Cinema EOS System, which marked our full-fledged entry into the motion picture production industry, as these acknowledge our achievements in video-capture innovation.”

Canon’s TIPA Award details

Best Professional DSLR Lens in 2012 – The Canon EF8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM, which can produce either full frame or circular fisheye images, was recognised for its 180-degree field of view offering “exceptional creative capture capabilities.” Noted for its “exceptional optical design, quality and durability,” the jury singled out the premium L-series lens’s SWC (Subwavelength Structure Coating), which “reduces ghosting effects and flare,” and fluorite coating for “easy cleaning of the large front element.”

Best DSLR Professional in 2012 – Canon’s top-of-the-line EOS-1D X combines the “creative advantages of a full-frame sensor with high-speed, high-sensitivity technology” in response to the needs of professional news, sports and wildlife photographers. Incorporating an approximately 18-megapixel CMOS sensor and dual DIGIC 5+ image processors, the pro-model camera offers a “well-balanced package of image quality and shooting speed.” The TIPA jury members lauded the newly engineered 61-point AF system as “the fastest and most accurate ever,” enabling the camera to “detect and track fast-moving subjects even in low-light conditions.”

Best Video DSLR in 2012 – According to the TIPA jury, the EOS 5D Mark III further improves on the experience offered by the 5D Mark II, a camera that “changed the landscape of digital photography.” Delivering both high-quality still images and video in a single camera, the 5D Mark III was praised for its newly designed 61-point AF system and “incredibly high ISO sensitivity,” as well as such movie functions as manual exposure control.

Best Expert Compact Camera in 2012 – The PowerShot G1 X was lauded for its “DSLR-like image quality, but in a compact camera-style body with an excellent fixed zoom lens.” Featuring a large 4:3 aspect ratio 14.3-megapixel CMOS sensor that is similar in size to the APS-C sensors used in EOS DSLR cameras, the G1 X “delivers superior image quality even when working in low light.”

Best Professional Video Camera in 2012 – According to the TIPA panel, “Canon called upon expertise from diverse fields, including sensors, image processors and optics” to develop the “revolutionary” EOS C300. Part of the Cinema EOS System, the cinema camera comes in two versions: the EOS C300, with an EF mount for use with Canon’s diverse line-up of interchangeable EF lenses and EF Cinema Lenses, and the EOS C300 PL, with a PL mount compatible with industry-standard PL lenses. Featuring “landmark video camera technology,” the C300’s high-resolution approximately 8.3-megapixel Super 35 mm-equivalent CMOS sensor was especially developed for the camera while both the EF- and PL-mount versions offer modular architecture for increased expandability.

Best Multifunction Photo Printer in 2012 – The Canon PIXMA MG8250 features a “sleek design and enhanced connectivity”. In addition to featuring access to the new PIXMA Cloud Link and wireless printing from mobile devices for enhanced convenience, the inkjet printer delivers “photo lab quality [prints] at impressive speed.” Lauded as a “very desirable tool for every photo enthusiast,” the device realises a maximum resolution of 9,600 x 2,400 dots per inch with ink droplets as small as one picoliter while the six-ink system, which includes pigment-based and dye-based black inks, makes possible the output of a high-image-quality 10 x 15 cm photo in just 20 seconds.

About the TIPA Awards

Held every year since 1991, the TIPA European Photo & Imaging Awards have recognised the best photo imaging products announced in Europe during the previous 12 months based on such criteria as their innovativeness, technological power, design, and ease of use. In 1992, Canon took home its first TIPA accolade for the EOS 100 SLR camera and, over 20 separate occasions since then, has been honoured with TIPA awards for a total of 60 products. 

About Canon 

Canon is the world’s leading imaging brand that actively inspires with imaginative ideas that enable people to connect, communicate and achieve more than they thought possible through imaging solutions for business and consumers. Canon’s Australian R&D company, CiSRA, develops and exports digital imaging technologies for use in Canon products worldwide. Canon has ranked among the top-four US patent recipients* for the past 20 years, and had global revenues of around $US46 billion in 2011. Canon Australia also operates Canon Finance Australia, which offers one-stop shopping for customers wanting leasing or finance services. For more information, visit www.canon.com.au, www.facebook.com/canonaustralia, www.twitter.com/canonaustralia, www.youtube.com/canonaustralia

R.A.W. – Realms of Ancient War, the explosive Hack’n’Slash (action/role-playing game) developed by Wizarbox for Xbox LIVE®, PlayStation® Network and PC, today unveiled its official website and leads us, in an action-packed video, on the trail of one of the 3 playable heroes of the game: the Warrior!

In the video of today, watch all the rage of the warrior freely expressed! Courageous, hot-headed and expert in close combat, the Warrior thrives at the very heart of the battle. Swinging his dual blades with power and speed, his powerful melee attacks are devastating, sometimes allowing him to strike down dozens of enemies at once! And when his health goes bad, bloody rage embraces him and make him even more powerful, more resilient, enabling him to cause even more damage… there is nothing more dangerous than a wounded animal! Plunge now in battle through one minute of action-packed video, focusing exclusively on the Warrior and his devastating attacks! Watch him battle, relentlessly, the hordes of creatures and the huge bosses trying to stop him!

Today is also the occasion for us to announce the opening of the offical website of R.A.W.! The website contains all information you wish to know on the game and its gameplay mechanics, its universe and playable heroes, but also all the latest screenshots and videos!

R.A.W. – Realms of Ancient War will be released on Xbox LIVE®, PlayStation® Network and PC on 24^th May 2012.

– Watch the video

– Visit the official website

Melbourne, VIC. – April 18, 2012 – THQ Inc. today announced downloadable content availability and new content release plans for UFC® Undisputed® 3, the latest instalment in the critically acclaimed mixed martial arts (MMA) videogame franchise based on the Ultimate Fighting Championship® organization.  The latest content offering, available for the the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, includes the following items:

International Pack

The International Pack, featuring UFC fighters “The Korean Zombie” Chan-Sung Jung, England’s John Hathaway, Germany’s Pascal Kraus, Australia’s Kyle Noke and Italy’s Alessio Sakara, is available now worldwide for a suggested purchase cost of 400 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360.  In addition, the International Pack is available now in North America and anticipated on April 18, 2012 throughout Europe for a suggested purchase cost of $4.99 USD via PlayStation Network.

Ultimate Compilation

The Ultimate Compilation, featuring access to five classic fights in UFC history, is available now worldwide for a suggested purchase cost of 400 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360.  In addition, the Ultimate Compilation is available now in North America and anticipated on April 18, 2012 throughout Europe for the suggested price of $4.99 USD via PlayStation Network.  The Ultimate Compilation includes the following bouts:

• Best of PRIDE® – Final      Conflict 2003: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Mirko Cro Cop
• Submissions – UFC 125:      Takanori Gomi vs. Clay Guida
• Upsets – UFC 110: Joe      Stevenson vs. George Sotiropoulos
• Rivals – UFC 124: Stefan      Struve vs. Sean McCorkle
• Knockouts – UFC 120: Dan      Hardy vs. Carlos Condit

In addition to their offerings as downloadable content, the International Pack and Ultimate Compilation remain featured items in the UFC Undisputed 3 Season Pass Program.  For a one-time suggested purchase cost of 1360 Microsoft Points for Xbox 360 or $16.99 USD via PlayStation Network, a cost savings of more than 25 percent in comparison with individual content purchases, consumers will receive the following items:

• Fighter Packs – Fight of the Night Pack and International Pack
• Ultimate Fights Packs – Ultimate Upsets and Ultimate Compilation
• UFC Heavyweight Championship contender Alistair Overeem
• All Unlockables

For more information on UFC Undisputed 3, please visit www.ufcundisputed.com, facebook.com/UFCUndisputed and twitter.com/UFC_Undisputed.

Originally created for campers and hikers, the selk’bag is proving to be a big hit with gamers. Guys all over Australia and going to keep warm and comfortable around their consoles this winter with these little beauties! The selk’bag is a revolutionary new sleep wear system, very much like a sleeping bag suit.

The clever selk’bag is designed to fit the wearer, making them super comfortable and extremely practical. Unlike traditional sleeping bags, you won’t get tangled up when you roll over in your sleep, or reach for the remote control. The selk’bag even has durable nylon soles so you can walk around it. There’s an opening for your hands so you can play your games easily, or put them back in for warmth when it’s not your turn. Air vents can be opened if you get too warm.

The selk’bag was designed in Chile and was inspired by the selk’nam (man) tribe who lived in Chile’s extreme climate. Their resistance to freezing temperatures, hunger and thirst won them respect and fear from their enemies.

The selk’bag comes in Classic, Lite and Kids. The Classic has a quick release hands freesystem and adjustment straps around the waist and feet. It retails for $199 and comes in yellow, red, black, pink, green and blue. It has a -9 degree extreme temperature rating.

The Lite version is available for $99 and comes in grey, blue and violet. It is lighter than the Classic selk’bag making it a great choice for gamers, hikers, backpackers and campers. It has a +5 extreme temperature rating.

The selk’bag version for kids is available in pink and blue for $149. It has additional safety features and special pockets. A joey style pouch pocket can keep little hands warm. Oversize zip pulls make for easy use and nametags help children to label their selk’bag.

The selk’bag can help keep those heating bills down while you slog it out with Call of Duty and Mass Effect. Hell, you can even take it camping with you!

Every self-respecting gamer is going to want a selk’bag so get in quickly. www.selkbag.com.au.  Or go to Facebook and like it.

Today we are excited to announce that from now until April 24, 2012, 2:01PM EDT, 4:01PM NZST, 12:01PM HKT, 12:01PM SGT , qualifying players in the Asia Pacific territories who purchased Star Wars^TM: The Old Republic^TM prior to the game’s official launch in their region will be able to transfer their characters, for free, to a locally-hosted server!

To qualify for character transfer to an Asia Pacific server, players in Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore must have purchased their game, redeemed a Game Product Registration Code and either have or have had entered valid billing information or a Pre-Paid Game Time Card prior to 5:01PM EDT / 7:01PM NZDT / 2:01PM HKT / 2:01PM SGT on Tuesday, February 28, 2012. Only characters created before this time qualify for transfers. You can check to see if you qualify by going to your “My Account” screen on www.StarWarsTheOldRepublic.com and clicking the “Asia Pacific Transfers” link on the right-side menu.

If you qualify, you can request character transfers to an Asia Pacific server by filling out and submitting the information on the Asia Pacific Transfers page. You will have until 2:01PM EDT / 4:01PM NZST / 12:01PM HKT / 12:01PM SGT on April 24^th, 2012 to finalize your information and place your request.

Character transfers will begin processing on April 24, 2012, 8:00PM EDT, 10:00PM NZST, 6:00PM HKT, 6:00PM SGT and may take upwards of seven days to complete all transfer requests. Once your character has been transferred to your new Asia Pacific server, an email will be sent to the address tied to your Star Wars: The Old Republic account informing you that your request has been processed.

For more information on transferring characters to an Asia Pacific server, please visit our  Asia Pacific Launch FAQ. If you have any questions that aren’t answered in the Launch FAQ, we encourage you to contact our 24-hour Customer Service. You can also keep up to date on the latest news and updates about Star Wars: The Old Republic by visiting www.StarWarsTheOldRepublic.com, as well as joining us on Twitter and Facebook.