The Battle.net World Championship, which will take place later this year, will be the culmination of more than 30 eSports events run by Blizzard and tournament organizers. These events are collectively known as the StarCraft II World Championship Series. 

The goal of the StarCraft II World Championship Series is to identify a true global champion, as players enter and qualify through open tournaments starting at the national level. The National Championships are designed to allow local heroes to rise to the top and be recognized in their country. The top finishers at each National Championship will earn spots at their continental Finals events, which will be an all-out brawl between neighbouring countries to decide who will represent their continent at the Battle.net World Championship. 

For more information, head to the StarCraft II Community Site.

5 April 2011, SYDNEY – Australia has uncovered its latest FIFA football sensation – an interactive sensation that is … and he’s Brazilian!

Last night Sydney played host to the world’s biggest gaming tournament; the prestigious FIFA Interactive World Cup (FIWC) and in a close shave Grand Final, Samuel Liberato from Brazil beat Todd Sekli from the Gold Coast.  The Brazilian backpacker who travelled to Australia and entered the tournament, was crowned FIWC Champion for 2012.

Liberato’s win in Australia, means he secures a lauded place in the FIWC International Grand Final later this year, where he will compete against an elite group of 32 skilled virtual football athletes from around the world, selected from over 1 million players who have participated in the global tournament.

The winner’s remarkable FIWC journey started last month, with a thousand football fans and gamers from around Australia competing across 8 knock-out heats to get down to the 8 finalists who participated in the live qualifier last night.

The tournament took place against Sydney’s spectacular harbour backdrop where the  finalists went head to head to fight for their position to compete in the International Grand Final. The play off took place centre stage in front of a huge crowd of friends and supporters cheering on the last two finalists Todd Sekli and Samuel Liberato. It was a nail biting finish with Liberato in the lead 3-0 until the final minutes, when Sekli scored two fast goals. The match resulted in Liberato winning the game by just one goal – 3-2.

Liberato commented on his FIWC win: “It’s amazing, it’s an indescribable feeling because I am here without my family, without my parents. But I’m here with all my friends that I’ve met here in Sydney…to win this Australian championship.” He continued, “It’s a dream, it’s a dream!”

Additional highlights of the night included event MC’s David Basheer (SBS) and well known games expert Jeremy Ray who helped keep the crowd entertained as they called a Celebrity Interactive World Cup match. Sydney FC’s Scott Jamieson kept his game face on as he defended his title against Channel V’s Danny Clayton, Matilda’s star Caitlin Foord and Street Football legend D10. In the end it was D10’s fancy finger work that outplayed Caitlin Foord to take the trophy.

With more than 1 million players competing around the world, Australia is one of only 11 countries to host a live FIWC tournament. Competition is tough to secure one of only 32 finalist seats in the International Grand Final Event and Samuel has now secured his spot on the world stage. The overall winner will ultimately be crowned the new FIFA Interactive World Champion on stage at the FIFA Players Gala in front of luminaries such as David Beckham, Tim Cahill, Wayne Rooney, Ricardo Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo, Fernando Torres, Lionel Messi and many more.   

Organised by FIFA and presenting partners EA SPORTS™ and PlayStation® – the FIWC combines online and offline football tournaments played with EA SPORTS™ FIFA 12 on PlayStation®3 (PS3™).

Acclaimed Survival Game Out now available on PlayStation^®Network 

SYDNEY — April 5, 2012 — Gamers can attempt to beat impossible odds and survive in a realistic post-apocalyptic environment in I Am Alive™. Developed by Ubisoft Shanghai, I Am Alive is now available on PlayStation^®Network at $20.95, discounted at $15.75 for the PS+ members. 

I Am Alive takes a realistic approach to the survival action-adventure genre, challenging players to strategically assess situations from a real-life perspective. In the new combat system, players will focus on intimidation and bluffing to gain the upper hand. Resources are scarce and an empty gun may be your only hope in a torn-down society.

Players will enter Haventon one year after “The Event” – a mysterious cataclysmic disaster – and will be challenged while traveling the direful environment. Using a unique Stamina system, players will have to manage their energy while scaling the buildings in Haventon. Those who use their stamina well will gain access to areas with more resources. 

For more information on I Am Alive, please visit: http://iamalive-game.ubi.com/iamalive/en-GB/

Microsoft and LucasArts are happy to announce that “Kinect™ Star Wars™”1 is now available at retailers in Australia! Experience Star Wars™ in exciting new ways — controller free — as you wield a Lightsaber, use the Force, take on the role of a destructive Rancor, Podrace to victory, and even show off your dance moves in this highly anticipated game for Kinect for Xbox 360.

Also available today is the Xbox 360 Limited Edition “Kinect Star Wars” console bundle, featuring an R2-D2 branded console, C-3PO controller, white Kinect Sensor and the “Kinect Star Wars” game. “Kinect Star Wars” is available for AU$69.95 RRP, while the console is available for AU$549.00 RRP2.

With five dynamic modes – Jedi Destiny: Dark Side Rising, Podracing, Rancor Rampage, Galactic Dance Off and Duels of Fate – “Kinect Star Wars” makes it possible for Star Wars fans of all ages to delve into immersive Star Wars experiences.

Additionally, the Xbox 360 Limited Edition “Kinect Star Wars” console bundle will feature an exclusive C-3PO unlockable for Dance Mode. With these new reveals and the ability to play in 3D3, “Kinect Star Wars” adds to the growing popularity of the family-friendly gaming portfolio for Kinect for Xbox 360.

Reality is What You Paint of It as Player Illustrations Come to Life in 3D 

Melbourne, VIC 5 April, 2012– Disney Interactive today announced the development of “Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion,” the first Nintendo 3DS™ title in the “Disney Epic Mickey” franchise. The title features an interactive combination of painting, dual screen integration and 3D transformation capabilities designed to give players the unique ability to create objects and even characters they can place in the world of Wasteland.   

In “Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion,” Reality is What You Paint of It.  The game offers a special drawing and painting function that allows players to create rough versions of objects that magically transform into classic Disney-style 2D illustrations. Utilising the game’s unparalleled dual screen integration, players then move their creations to the top screen where they are further transformed into full-color, fully-rendered 3D visuals. 

Paying tribute to the classic Sega Genesis title “Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse,” “Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion” focuses on the fabled Castle of Illusion, which has fallen into Wasteland, an alternate world filled with 80 years of forgotten Disney characters and theme park attractions – and now forgotten video games.  The evil witch Mizrabel, villainess from the classic “Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse,” finds herself an unwilling inhabitant of Wasteland, and unleashes a plot to escape using the Castle of Illusion to imprison and drain the cartoon essence from currently famous Toons.  Players will take on the role of Mickey Mouse as he utilises his magical brush to wield paint and thinner to confront Mizrabel and save the Toons.   

“The original ‘Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse’ changed the face of video gaming by allowing players to play as Mickey Mouse in a side-scrolling adventure full of dynamic environments,” said Warren Spector, vice president and creative director, Junction Point. “We’re honoured to be able to pay tribute to this classic video game by creating a title that  truly takes advantage of the unique capabilities of the Nintendo 3DS, putting the magic of Disney and the historic Castle of Illusion in the palm of your hands.” 

“Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion” is being created by critically acclaimed DS developer DreamRift, in collaboration with Disney Interactive’s Junction Point. The game is slated for a fall 2012 release on the Nintendo 3DS.

Free* DLC Pack to Provide Additional Cinematic Scenes to the Ending of Mass Effect 3 this Winter

SYDNEY, Australia. – April 5, 2012 – BioWare, a Label of Electronic Arts Inc. announced Mass Effect™ 3: Extended Cut, a downloadable content pack that will expand upon the events at the end of the critically acclaimed Action RPG. Through additional cinematic sequences and epilogue scenes, the Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut will give fans seeking further clarity to the ending of Mass Effect 3 deeper insights into how their personal journey concludes. Coming this winter, the Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut will be available for download on the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC for no extra charge*.

“We are all incredibly proud of Mass Effect 3 and the work done by Casey Hudson and team,” said Dr. Ray Muzyka, Co-Founder of BioWare and General Manager of EA’s BioWare Label. “Since launch, we have had time to listen to the feedback from our most passionate fans and we are responding. With the Mass Effect 3: Extended Cut we think we have struck a goodbalance in delivering the answers players are looking for while maintaining the team’s artistic vision for the end of this story arc in the Mass Effect universe.”

Casey Hudson, Executive Producer of the Mass Effect series added, “We have reprioritised our post-launch development efforts to provide the fans who want more closure with even more context and clarity to the ending of the game, in a way that will feel more personalised for each player.”

The Mass Effect franchise is one of the most highly decorated series in the history of games, having earned over 250 awards from critics around the world. Mass Effect 3 launched last month to universal critical acclaim, receiving over 75 perfect scores. For more information on Mass Effect 3, please visit http://masseffect.com, follow the game on Twitter at http://twitter.com/masseffect or “like” the game on Facebook at http://facebook.com/masseffect.

CD Projekt RED have just released two new fantastic trailers for the Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings on Xbox 360. The first, “The Story behind The Witcher 1”, deals with the history of Geralt of Rivia. The second video, which is Part 1 of a series, delves into the history of Witchers providing lots of background information. Both videos are drawn using brilliant cartoon animation with a unique style.

SYDNEY, Australia April 4, 2012 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) today announced that the next collaborative project between The Sims™ and Katy Perry will be available this June on PC/Mac. In The Sims™ 3 Katy Perry’s Sweet Treats*, players can sweeten up their Sims’ lives with Katy Perry-inspired, candylicious items that will enhance their game experience such as décor, furniture, objects and of course, fashions and hairstyles. Players will sink their sweet tooth into all new in-game goodies and turn the homes and neighborhoods of their Sims into a whimsical Candyfornia™, complete with cupcake-themed guitars, candy playground equipment and delicious cotton candy trees. Outfitting their Sims in an array of new clothing and hairstyles, players will make their Sims look good enough to eat! Three pre-built venues will help transform the world for the Sims characters with a game packed full of Katy Perry-inspired content.

“I’m delighted to bring you more with The Sims 3 Sweet Treats,” said Perry. “I love some of the accessories so much that I am going to get some of them made in real life! It’s one of my small life goals to sit on a banana split couch.”

Additionally, players will rock out to a Simlish version of Katy Perry’s hit song, ‘Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F),’ which she recorded for The Sims 3 Katy Perry’s Sweet Treats. Simlish is the official language of The Sims.

Perry comments on singing the Simlish version of the track, saying, “‘Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)’ is a really fun song to sing along to in any language, so I thought why not in Simlish?”

In The Sims 3 Katy Perry’s Sweet Treats, players can indulge their Sims in an array of exciting and colorful items to turn their surroundings into vibrant candytopias. From banana split sofas to lavish fountains made of candy, and even a waffle cone picnic table, this game really captures Katy Perry’s spirit. New sugar-coated fashions and hairstyles really sweeten this game. The fashions are straight from Katy Perry’s red carpet appearances, music videos and concert performances, which have now been recreated for The Sims in a true to life way.

Even more delectable are the pre-built venues that are included. Players can take their Sims for a dip amidst the sweet surroundings of Patty’s Natural Baths, an all-new pool venue, complete with bubble gum pink lounge chairs and a licorice-themed slippy slide. They can stroll over to the Bonbon Lawn Park where they’ll find loads of fun-for-all-ages, candy playground equipment. Players can also take their Sims to the Cake Pleasure Dome, the town’s charming local hangout, where even more tasty sweet treats await.

The Sims 3 Katy Perry’s Sweet Treats is rated “M” and currently available for pre-order. Check out the official website at www.thesims.com/katyperry, “Like” uson Facebook or follow us on Twitter®.

THE HOST is a riveting story about the survival of love and the human spirit in a time of war. Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact. Most of humanity has succumbed… The Host stars Saoirse Ronan, Diane Kruger, Max Irons, Boyd Holbrook and is directed by Andrew Niccol.

Hoyts Distribution will release THE HOST 28 March, 2013.