Taxi rides will never be the same again after you catch the amazing adventure and alien-action in Disney’s RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN, coming to Disney DVD and Blu-ray 26 August 2009!  

DWAYNE ‘The Rock’ JOHNSON stars in this family science-fiction thriller as Jack Bruno, a Las Vegas cabbie who finds himself caught up in a real life alien mystery while taking passengers to a UFO convention staged in the Nevada desert.  

Chased by the law and a dangerous alien assassin, Bruno with help of two strange teens with supernatural powers; Sara (ANNASOPHIA ROBB) and Seth (ALEXANDA LUDWIG), recruit the help of a kooky scientist Dr Alex Friedman (CARLA GUGINO) and embarks on a taxi trip to save the world from alien destruction!

A modern-take on an old Disney classic and based on the book by Alexander Key, RACE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN will take you on a heart-stopping ride of non-stop thrills that the whole family can enjoy.

– AMD previews significant improvements to the digital media and gaming experience, commits to bring DirectX 11 to market first –

SYDNEY, Australia — June 4, 2009 — At a press conference yesterday in Taipei, Taiwan, AMD (NYSE: AMD) publicly demonstrated the world’s first Microsoft DirectX® 11 graphics processor. The series of demonstrations shed new light on the significantly improved computing experience set to debut at the end of 2009.1  The fusion of AMD’s new ground-breaking graphics processors with the forthcoming DirectX 11 programming interface is set to forever change both applications and PC gaming for the better. To illustrate, AMD showed numerous examples of faster application performance and new game features using the world’s first true DirectX 11 graphics processor.

• Get ready for a revolution: Games and other applications are about to get a lot better as a result of AMD’s new graphics hardware and DirectX 11.  DirectX 11 features such as tessellation will bring consumers higher quality, superior performing games making use of 6th generation AMD technology. Another DirectX 11 feature, the compute shader, will enable AMD’s DirectX 11 graphics cards to help make Windows 7 run faster in a wide number of applications and in a manner that’s completely transparent to users, for example, in seamlessly accelerating the conversion of video for playback on portable media players through a drag-and-drop interface.2

• DirectX 11 done right on AMD: The development of DirectX 11 has been broadly influenced by AMD graphics technology.  Each new version of DirectX builds on the versions that came before it, and many of the capabilities of DirectX 11 were pioneered on AMD GPUs, including DirectX 10.1, tessellation, compute shaders, Fetch4, custom filter anti-aliasing and high-definition ambient occlusion shading.

• Bringing consumers DirectX 11 sooner: The preview of the world’s first DirectX 11 graphics processor at Computex 2009 validates AMD’s commitment to delivering leading technologies to market before anyone else, and to continuing to foster innovation in computing.

• Fueling developer demand: It’s not just consumers who are excited about the prospects of DirectX 11, game developers are also incredibly enthusiastic about taking advantage of new DirectX 11 hardware to bring even better games to market, in large part due to AMD’s readiness to meet their DirectX 11 needs.  Many developers have indicated their commitment to building DirectX 11 games initially on AMD’s DirectX 11 hardware, delivering superior performance and compatibility.

“AMD has a long track record of delivering pioneering features that have gone on to become mainstays in the DirectX experience, and we’re doing it again with two mature, AMD-developed technologies in DirectX 11 – tessellation and the compute shader – both of which enable a better DirectX 11 experience for consumers,” said Rick Bergman, Senior Vice President, AMD Products Group.  “Today, we’re previewing AMD’s DirectX 11 graphics processor to build enthusiasm for this key technology so developers will have games available at launch and shortly thereafter.  With the benefits it delivers to gaming, applications and Windows 7, developers are lining up to get their hands on our hardware, and we’re confident that consumers will too.”

Supporting Resources
•Blog: AMD’s Richard Huddy on excitement surrounding DirectX 11
•Pictures: TSMC’s presentation to AMD of the first 40nm DirectX 11 silicon wafer
•Video: How AMD hardware has impacted the development of DirectX
•Video: Game developers discuss the benefits of DirectX 11
•Video: AMD demonstrates tessellation on the world’s first DirectX 11 graphics processor
•Video: Froblins technical demonstration of tessellation and compute shader use for artificial intelligence
•Follow the AMD Graphics team on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ATIGraphics

About AMD
Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD) is an innovative technology company dedicated to collaborating with customers and technology partners to ignite the next generation of computing and graphics solutions at work, home and play. For more information, visit http://www.amd.com.

This Spring, living room legends will rock any way they want in Guitar Hero® 5. Elevating the Guitar Hero® series to new heights with unmatched social gameplay, an enhanced style, new in-game artists and more rock legends, Guitar Hero 5 features new surprises and challenges that will fire-up long-time fret board fanatics and create a new generation of addicts. Players take complete control as Guitar Hero 5 allows gamers to personalise and customize how they experience music with any in-game instrument combination — multiple vocalists, guitarists, bassists and drummers, in any game mode. With the game’s all-new Party Play Mode, getting the band back together has never been easier. Players can now jump in or drop out of gameplay seamlessly, without interrupting their jam session. Guitar Hero 5 puts the entire set list at players’ finger tips from the start, featuring genre-defining hits from some of the biggest rock artists and bands of all time, including Tom Petty, Kings of Leon, The White Stripes, Stevie Wonder, Iron Maiden and Vampire Weekend.

KEY FEATURES:

? Assemble Your Band and Rock Any Way You Want –Guitar Hero 5 allows fans to play alone, as a full band or, for the first time, with any combination of multiple guitarists, bassists, drummers or vocalists to customise their musical experience. 

? Become the Best. Shred the Rest! – In Guitar Hero 5 players can test their skills against others with four-player local and up to eight-player online battles in the all-new competitive RockFest Mode. Within RockFest Mode, players can choose from various gameplay types including Elimination, Momentum, Do or Die, Streakers, Perfectionist and Pro Face Off, for how they want to dominate their competition. 

? The Band that Plays Together… – Bands can earn bonus multipliers by hitting new special note streams in unison, creating an even greater sense of excitement and accomplishment for players that can rock songs together.

? The Definitive Rock ‘n’ Roll Set List – Experience some furious finger fretting, intense drumming, and lyrics that will challenge even the best vocal chops with songs from Tom Petty, Kings of Leon, The White Stripes, Stevie Wonder, Iron Maiden and Vampire Weekend in a set list that pays homage to classic riffs, rhythms and lyrics that push the limits of rock ‘n’ roll. The breadth of rock-centric styles ensures that every Guitar Hero fan will find their favourite tracks and discover new ones.

? Limitless Jams – Guitar Hero 5 delivers hours of endless entertainment, as fans will be able to play Guitar Hero® World Tour downloadable content in the game, experiencing all of the upgrades and new features in Guitar Hero 5.

? Join The Party! – It has never been easier to rip it up and rock out with friends than it is in Guitar Hero 5.   The brand new Party Play Mode puts players straight into the action with the press of a button and allows them to jump in or drop out, or switch difficulty level at any time without interrupting the jam session.

? Make and Share Music – Guitar Hero 5 features the innovative Music Studio and GHTunessm first introduced in Guitar Hero World Tour. Produce hits in the redesigned Music Studio with improved editing tools, new guitar samples and mix patterns and share them online with GHTunes to create what could be the next breakout hit.

? Rock With Your Mii – Exclusive game modes for Nintendo fans will let living room rock stars interact with their music and friends like never before. In Mii Freestyle Mode, gamers can rock any way they want with their Miis for a unique experience that connects players to the music and adds yet another layer of personalization to the game. Players can jam with the Guitar Hero controllers along pre-set note track options in multiple music genres or just rock out using the Wii remote and Nunchuk to “air drum.” And, for the first time, fans will be able to capture videos of their Mii rocking out and share with other Wii owners.

? Check Out My New Axe – The redesigned and re-skinned guitar controller with interchangeable faceplates and improved slider bar functionality offers Guitar Hero fanatics and music enthusiasts even more personalisation options and enhanced in-game effects. 
Publisher:  Activision Publishing, Inc./RedOctane

Developer:  Neversoft Entertainment (Xbox 360 and PS3)
   Vicarious Visions (Wii)
   Budcat (PS2)
   
Release Date: Spring 2009
  
ESRB Rating: “RP” (Rating Pending)

MELBOURNE, Australia – June 3, 2009With the world’s largest gaming exhibition E3, now in full swing in Los Angeles, Microsoft are the leaders in the pack with a plethora of new and exciting games, new hardware (Project Natal) and even social networking. 

That’s right, XBox 360 Live users will now be able to experience Facebook and Twitter from the comfort of their own lounge. As the mind spin continues, Microsoft have some truly momemtous releases in the coming months and following year which include;

Halo 3: ODST – Become an Orbital Drop Shock Trooper in the story that leads up to Halo 3.

Halo: Reach – The prequel to Halo

Forza Motorsport 3 – The racing continues with full high definition gaming that includes over 400 cars and over 100 tracks

Gears of War 2: Dark Corners – A new campaign in one of the most original universes and even includes new multiplayer maps.

If this isn’t big enough, than this will be… Project Natal. Do not forget these words because in the coming months, you will be gobsmacked in the following months.

Protect Natal is Microsoft’s answer to a controller free world thanks to a high definition camera that not only boasts facial recognition, it also has voice recognition and depth sensors.It even detects objects in your room which make your gaming experience even better and it’s easy to see that this will definitely revolutionise the future of gaming.

Whether you’re kicking a ball, driving a car or using martial arts, this technology has the ability to transcend the world of gaming into the real world. Still don’t believe it? Then watch these trailers courtesy of Game Trailers!

Last but not least, gamers, both casual and hardcore will be able to watch 1080p high definition “streamed” movies on their XBox 360, thanks to XBox Live which will give users access to hundreds of movies. Instant Movies is like having a DVD store in your own home.

Hideo Kojima’s classic series returns with new story and gameplay mechanics in exclusive new title for PSP® (PlayStation®Portable).
    
– 3rd June, 2009 – Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH in partnership with Atari Australia, has announced an all-new Metal Gear Solid title for PSP® (PlayStation®Portable), entitled Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. Designed as a full sequel to Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, the PSP title offers an unique, new game system and an original story from series creator Hideo Kojima.
Developed by the legendary Hideo Kojima – the mastermind behind the most successful video game tactical-espionage series of all time – this latest PSP® installment picks up where Metal Gear Solid®3 left off. Players take control of the famed Snake, in a thrilling story set in 1974.

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker features original game design, story and scenario by Hideo Kojima. Scheduled to launch in 2010, the game takes the series in an exciting new direction with its incredible visuals and its unique new game system designed specifically with the PSP in mind. 

“With Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, Kojima Productions has once again pushed the limits of the PSP system, creating a beautiful sequel to Metal Gear Solid®3,” said Martin Schneider, European Marketing Director for Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH. “Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker lets players take the action and excitement of a console game to the PSP, and is a stunning addition to MGS Lore.”

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker will be released exclusively for PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) in 2010.

For more information on Atari’s entire product line up visit www.atari.com.au and log on to the Atari Trade Site for all box shots, demos, trailers and online screenshots.

Konami showcases new visual enhancements and gameplay elements in exclusive      footage premiering at Electronic Entertainment Expo 2009

– 2nd June, 2009 – Argentina and FC Barcelona maestro Lionel Messi stars in an all-new trailer as Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH showcases the first incredible footage from its forthcoming PES 2010 title at this year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles.

Every element of PES 2010 is being transformed and improved, as Konami in partnering with Atari Australia strives to create the most realistic football simulation available. The trailer will be shown for the first time during the June 2nd-4th event in Los Angeles, and is designed to show off the stunning new graphics of PES 2010. The new trailer serves to detail the huge advances the new game enjoys, and major advancements in how it plays.

PES 2010’s new visual realism brings the beautiful game to vivid life, with unique skin textures for individual players, and a level of detail that allows users to see the different weaves used in the various kits, their animated faces, and even the hairs on their arms! The game also boasts an all-new dynamic lighting system, wherein shadows are cast in real-time, creating a photo-realistic look to the new game.

At the centre of PES 2010, however, is an amazingly close representation of the pace and skill of top-level football. The PES Productions team has worked to recreate the pace and tactical approach of a top-flight game, with mature skill and vision needed to create space and scoring opportunities. No longer can users score soft goals via overly-familiar means, instead PES 2010 counters such play and constantly forces the user to spread the ball around as they would in a real match.

To this end, an all-new tactical system has been implemented. A new ‘Power Gauge’ system features an easy-to-use sliding bar system with several categories; half for defence, and the others for attacking play. These allow users to change their overall style of play with ease, and adopt strategies related to support for the player in possession, the space players leave each other, how often players change position, and the pressure put on the opposition when they have the ball.

The new footage focuses on PES 2010 cover star, Messi, who fronts the new game having enjoyed an amazingly successful season at FC Barcelona. Fresh from the UEFA Champions League final – football’s premier cup competition and exclusively featured in PES 2010 – the trailer also shows some of the many individual skills the new game attributes to specific players.

“I am both a professional footballer and a huge PES fan, and am delighted to again be the front man for such an incredible football title as PES 2010,” commented Messi. “Although it has been a successful one, it has been a long and hard season, and I am looking forward to getting to grips with PES 2010 before the real thing starts again this year!”

PES 2010 will be released for PLAYSTATION®3, Xbox 360, PC-DVD, PSP® (PLAYSTATION®PORTABLE), PlayStation®2 and mobile phones in the Spring.
All copyrights or trademarks are the property of their respective owners and are used under license.

For more information on Atari’s entire product line up visit www.atari.com.au and log on to the Atari Trade Site for all box shots, demos, trailers and online screenshots.

With an Ultra-Portable Design and Digital Content Focus, PSPgo to Hit the Worldwide Market This Fall, Further Enhancing the User Experience Along with PSP-3000 

Tokyo, June 3, 2009 – Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) today unveiled PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) go (PSP-N1000), a new evolution of PSP handheld entertainment system, specifically designed to suit the digital lifestyle of consumers who enjoy downloadable content on the go. PSPgo will become available in stores on October 1, 2009, in North America, Europe/PAL territories and Asian countries and regions at a recommended retail price (RRP) of US$249 and €249, and on November 1, 2009, in Japan at a RRP of 26,800 yen (including tax). With both the existing PSP-3000 and new PSPgo, the company will further enhance the ultimate gaming and entertainment experiences on the go, while providing consumers with the opportunity to choose the PSP system that’s right for them.