Tips from AVG (AU/NZ) to protect home computers, school laptops and mobile devices.

MELBOURNE, 16 January 2012 — AVG (AU/NZ) Pty Ltd, the distributor of the award-winning AVG Internet and mobile security software in Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific, knows that lists for ‘back to school’ have expanded beyond new shoes and exercise books. It now covers preparation of home computers, school laptops and mobile devices for the upcoming academic year.

Michael McKinnon, Security Advisor at AVG (AU/NZ), said: “Back to School presents an ideal opportunity to engage with your children about their online activities and to look at updating systems, software versions and the passwords on every device used by every family member.”

AVG Technologies’ recent instalment of its Digital Diaries revealed that only two-thirds of Australian and New Zealand parents know their kids’ passwords. McKinnon said: “While there is a fine line between what your children see as caring and snooping, it is vital that ground rules are established to ensure parents can take the necessary responsibility over their children’s online practices – for the safety of the whole family and essential communications equipment.”

AVG (AU/NZ) offers these tips for preparing your computers and devices for Back to School:

Cleaning up the home computer

During the holidays the home PC will have had a good workout by the kids, and probably their friends. It’s time to clean it up and remove anything that may be slowing it down.

• Do a full anti-virus scan with AVG’s Internet Security 2012 to see if any nasties have been introduced to the household. Check that all computers are configured correctly to automatically perform at least one full scan every week.

• Update, update, update. Most malicious software is designed to take advantage of poorly maintained computers. Mitigate your risks by keeping your applications and your Operating System up to date at all times.

• Optimise your PC to peak performance with a product such as AVG’s PC Tuneup.

Protecting mobile devices

• Mobile devices – iPhones, iPads, Android phones and tablets are easily lost or stolen. Mobile security solutions such as AVG’s Mobilation allow devices to be remotely wiped and even tracked using GPS location technology. Devices should also be secured with a PIN so they can’t be used without permission.

• USB memory sticks are highly convenient for students to transport files but if lost or stolen, private data and assignments may end up in the wrong hands. Investing in a memory stick that allows you to put a lock/PIN or encrypt data to restrict access is worthwhile. Put all your sticks through regular anti-virus scans. Keep backups of all files to avoid getting caught by stick corruption. And, attach memory sticks to brightly coloured, individual lanyards, along with your kid’s name and school, so they are not so easy to misplace or forget.

• Labelling or marking equipment. Many parents take great pride in labelling school clothing, lunchboxes and bags but often forget to label technical gadgets. Doing this can make returning misplaced items easier and avoid confusion when classmates arrive with identical looking devices.

Community awareness

• Community awareness is vital. If you see something that isn’t right, discuss it, bring awareness to it, and this way you will raise the online safety standards of your community as a whole.

• Make yourself aware of the IT security and codes of practice used at your children’s schools and reinforce them at home.

• Unfortunately, cyber bullying is a growing threat to the positives of online social networking. With new classmates and new relationships developing from the start of the school year, you and your children should be aware of the recommended tactics to combat any nasty behaviour.

• Reputations can last a life time in cyberspace. With the combination of school antics and social media, a great narrative can form online that may not be well received by future employers, so students need to be made aware of the long lasting effects that may arise.

For the series of informative security tips, how-to and fact sheets see:

www.avg.com.au/resources/security-tips/. For video tips from AVG (AU/NZ), see: www.youtube.com/user/avgaunz

Keep in touch with AVG (AU/NZ)

• For breaking news, follow AVG (AU/NZ) on Twitter at twitter.com/avgaunz
• Join our Facebook community at www.facebook.com/avgaunz
• For security trends, analysis, follow the AVG (AU/NZ) blog at resources.avg.com.au

Dive into battle in this all new trailer of Wargame: European Escalation, the explosive real-time strategy game developed for PC by Eugen Systems (R.U.S.E.™, Act of War)!

Fully created using in-game footage, this all new video presents NATO forces and a few of the 361 units of the game, in breathtaking action. The ambush set up by the Warsaw Pact quickly escalates into a full-blown, spectacular battle, as NATO units call in for reinforcements to strike back the aggressor.

This is a treat for the eyes, as Wargame’s powerful engine, the IRISZOOM™, shows off its capability: maps are as big as 150 square kilometres, displaying over 100 million scenery objects, as hundreds of units – tanks, infantry squads, helicopters, etc – are fiercely fighting over the battlefield! This is a taste of what awaits all virtual commanders in the massive solo campaign and in its complete multiplayer mode, when the game releases in February 2012!

– Watch the video

– Visit the official website

Experience the exhibition On their own – Britain’s child migrants through a range of programs and learn more about the history of British child migration. 

From the 1860s through to 1967, more than 100,000 children were sent from Britain to Australia and other Commonwealth countries through child migration schemes, changing the lives of these children dramatically. On their own explores the history and motivations behind these government endorsed child migration schemes. It conveys the experiences shared by the children and follows the lives of some former child migrants in their own words, letters, photographs, objects and other personal collections. 

Visitors have the opportunity to couple their visit to the exhibition with the following programs: 

Oranges and Sunshine film screening (M rating)

This moving film tells the true story of Margaret Humphreys, a social worker from Nottingham who uncovered one of the most significant scandals of recent times – the deportation of thousands of children from the United Kingdom to Australia and other Commonwealth countries under child migration schemes. Harold Haig, a former child migrant and Secretary of the Association of Former Child Migrants and their Families, will introduce the film and talk about the work of Margaret Humphreys and the Child Migrants Trust, as well as the Association’s involvement with the film’s director and script writer.

Date: 1pm to 4pm, Sunday 12 February

Cost: Adults $15.50, concession $5.50 (includes a glass of wine and entry to the exhibition and the Museum)

Bookings: Essential, phone 13 11 02 

On their own – Britain’s child migrants exhibition tour

Enrich your experience of the On their own exhibition with a tour led by two former Victorian child migrants. Hear from the perspectives of Sandra Anker and Margaret Martin, who will share their personal stories as they lead you through the exhibition.   

Date: 11.30am to 12.30pm and 2.30pm to 3.30pm, Saturday 25 February and Saturday 14 April

Cost: Included with museum entry

Bookings: Essential, phone 13 11 02 

On their own – Britain’s child migrants exhibition forum

This forum will provide visitors with an opportunity to hear and participate in a discussion around the history and ongoing issues associated with child migration schemes, which occurred from the 1860s to 1967. Special guests to be announced.

Date: 2.30pm, Saturday 31 March

Cost: Adults $18.80, concession $9.90 (includes entry to the exhibition and Museum)

Bookings: Essential, phone 13 11 02 

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

Until 6 May 2012

Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders Street Melbourne

Adults $10, children and concessions FREE

ENTER THE UNDERWORLD

with

UNDERWORLD AWAKENING 3D 

Free interactive 3D art experiences are being hosted on the streets of Melbourne and Sydney during January to celebrate the release of UNDERWORLD AWAKENING 3D, in cinemas January 26.  Fans of the blockbuster franchise can “Enter the Underworld” through a unique 3D artwork where they can be photographed and then share it with their friends via Facebook.  

Dates and venues: 

Melbourne, Federation Square, Saturday January 21^st

10am – 5pm 

Sydney, Pitt Street Mall, Tuesday January 24^th

11am – 3pm 

Parramatta, Church Street Amphitheatre, Thursday January 26^th

11am – 5pm 

UNDERWORLD AWAKENING brings a stunning new dimension to the epic battle between Vampires and Lycans, as the first film in the franchise to shoot in 3D.  

Kate Beckinsale, star of the first two films, returns in her lead role as the vampire warrioress Selene, who escapes imprisonment to find herself in a world where humans have discovered the existence of both Vampire and Lycan clans, and are conducting an all-out war to eradicate both immortal species.  Selene must battle both the human enemies and a new more frightening super species that has evolved since her incarceration. Unlikely help comes in the form of a beautiful and powerful young girl with mysterious origins.  

Become a fan on Facebook to see the 3D experiences: www.Facebook.com/SonyPicturesAUS 

For more information on UNDERWORLD AWAKENING 3D, visit www.UnderworldAwakening.com.au 

ONLY AT THE MOVIES! JANUARY 26

There have been “rumours” circulating the internet about the future of THQ and thankfully THQ have responded…

“THQ has not cancelled its 2014 line-up, and has not made any decisions regarding the planned MMO. As part of the ongoing review of our business, we have made decisions to ensure that the company is strategically addressing the most attractive markets. As we have previously announced, we have dramatically reduced our commitment to the kids’ boxed games sector which leads to a significantly more focused release schedule moving forward. Our slate for calendar 2012 and beyond is focused on high-quality core games and continues to build our digital platform and business. We are excited for our pipeline of original and high-quality content along with our relationships with some of the best talent in the industry.

Additionally, we are thrilled with the great performance of Saints Row: The Third, which on a like for like period in North America has tripled in sell-through from Saints Row 2. In addition, WWE ’12’s worldwide sell-through sales are up almost 40% year-over-year for the same sales period with fewer platforms. According to NPD, for the month of December and the 2011 year, THQ was the #5 publisher overall, #4 third party, with reported sell through growing over 18% in a market that was down almost 6%. And coming up next, we have two great titles for the first half of the year including UFC Undisputed 3 and Darksiders 2.”

Melbourne, VIC, 16^th January, 2012 – TECMO KOEI today announced the release date for the standard and Collector’s Edition of its upcoming action-packed title, NINJA GAIDEN 3 in Australia and New Zealand. Developed by Team NINJA, this innovative new installment of the celebrated core action series will be available on 22^nd March, 2012 for the Xbox 360^® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PlayStation^®3 computer entertainment system. Exclusive to EB Games, the NINJA GAIDEN 3 Collector’s Edition, will also be available for both console platforms on the same day.

NINJA GAIDEN 3 spotlights the series’ beloved Japanese dark hero, Ryu Hayabusa, with an original story developed by famed writer Masato Kato bringing new depth to the game’s intense swordsmanship and hardcore action combat. Led by Yosuke Hayashi, Team NINJA has crafted the game with the sole purpose of giving players a new experience as the man, the human being, behind the mask of the world’s greatest ninja, Ryu Hayabusa.

As well as adding depth to this mysterious and complex character, the game promises heightened intensity during close combat fighting while featuring new competitive and co-op online multiplayer modes that bring a new aspect to the NINJA GAIDEN series. Once more, on 22^nd March, it will be time for players to pick up the infamous Dragon Sword, hone its blade and sharpen their skills.

Meanwhile, the premium NINJA GAIDEN 3 Collector’s Edition – exclusive to EB Games –  offers a truly deluxe package and includes an exclusive NINJA GAIDEN 3 “Unmask” game art book, the official game soundtrack CD, a unique collector’s “Duel of the Masked” figure, as well as the chance to play four characters in the DEAD OR ALIVE 5 demo stage.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 12, 2012 – The massive world of Amalur will finally break open when Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:EA) and 38 Studios, release a demo for Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning™ on January 17, 2012. Available for the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC, the demo will give players a taste of the rich, diverse, action-packed world of Amalur, and will also unlock special items in the final game.

In addition to the demo, 38 Studios has teamed up with BioWare to create a cross promotion to reward fans of both Reckoning and Mass Effect 3*. By playing the upcoming demos for both Reckoning and Mass Effect 3, gamers will receive special in-game items, including Mass Effect inspired, Omni-blade daggers in Reckoning and special Reckoning-themed armor and assault rifle in Mass Effect 3 designed by award-winning artist Todd McFarlane.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to deliver this massive one-two punch with Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning and Mass Effect 3. We wanted to provide fans of the Mass Effect franchise with a unique set of rewards for diving into the expansive universe of Reckoning,” said Curt Schilling, Chairman and Founder of 38 Studios.

“We are excited to be collaborating with 38 Studios to bring pieces inspired by the Mass Effect universe into the world of Reckoning and to have items designed by Todd McFarlane in Mass Effect 3,” said Dr. Ray Muzyka, General Manager of EA’s BioWare Label and Co-Founder of BioWare. “This is an awesome way to reward our fans with unique content that not only looks cool, but also delivers some great in-game benefits.”

By playing the Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning demo, gamers will receive two unlocks for Mass Effect 3 when the highly anticipated game releases on March 8, 2012, both designed by the renowned creator of Spawn, Todd McFarlane:

• Reckoner Knight Armor:This armor will maximize damage done in close-quarters combat while a beefed–up power cell feeds energy into weapon systems to increase projectile velocity.
• The Chakram Launcher: This weapon uses a fabricator to manufacture lightweight, explosive ammunition discs. This weapon is earned after completing the Reckoning demo and watching the trailer at the end.

By playing the upcoming Mass Effect 3 demo, fans will unlock the following items for Reckoning when the game launches on February 9, inspired by Mass Effect:

• N7 Armor:Players can unlock special armor inspired by Commander Shepard’s iconic N7 battle armor including Helm, Cuirass, Gauntlets, Chausses and Greaves.
• Onmiblade Daggers: A holographic blade stemming from Commander Shepard’s Omni-Tool, the Omni-blade allows players to stab enemies in close combat. Once players install and play the Mass Effect 3 demo, they will unlock the daggers.

The Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning demo features the introduction to the game, allowing players to experience the game’s Tutorial Mode and a portion of its large, open world. Players will create and customize their hero and drop right into the action. Once players master the basics, they will have 45 minutes to explore the vast world of Amalur and begin to embark upon a quest that could redefine their character’s destiny forever.

In addition to the Mass Effect items above, players who play the Reckoning demo will also unlock:

• Twist of Fate Card: This card boosts the player’s ice resistance and is immediately unlocked when he or she activates the Reckoningdemo using his or her Origin account.
• Twinned Souls Chakram: A unique weapon that damages enemies while boosting player health and mana in Reckoning.
• The Infernal Helm: Unlocked after completing the Reckoning Tutorial Mode, this protective helmet increases players’ fire damage throughout Amalur.

Set in an entirely new universe crafted by New York Times best-selling author R. A. Salvatore, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is brought to life visually through the trademark visceral style of renowned artist and Spawn creator Todd McFarlane. With a sprawling explorable world and deep RPG gameplay at its core, Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning adds a new level of intense action combat to the genre and a one-of-a-kind advancement system as players unfold and evolve their destiny through constant character customization. Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is being developed under the creative leadership of Ken Rolston, lead designer of the critically acclaimed open-world RPGs Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

Developed by 38 Studios subsidiary Big Huge Games in Baltimore, Maryland and 38 Studios in Providence, Rhode Island: Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning will be available on February 9, 2012 in Australia and on February 10, 2012 in New Zealand on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC. Learn more about Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning by visiting www.reckoning.com or follow us on Facebook (http://facebook.com/ReckoningTheGame) and on Twitter (http://twitter.com/ReckoningGame).
*Demos may not be available in all countries.

Hamburg, 12.01.12 – Dungeon Empires, gamigo’s innovative mixture of dungeon building and raiding, has been developed much further in the past few months. Almost all areas of the game have been edited and optimized. The most important and also the most easily noticeable change is the updated graphics interface. A number of core elements of the game, such as the action points system and balancing, have also been reworked.

Players will no longer be navigating around in an abstract world in Dungeon Empires. A highly detailed world map has been integrated instead, providing a much better overview of the different levels of difficulty. The system of action points, which regulated how often dungeons could be raided, is now a thing of the past. Now the hero character’s health points alone determine how often a player can raid other dungeons. Other important improvements of the game mechanics include balancing, adjusting hero and creature skills as well as a number of bug fixes.

More information about the game and the improvements that have been made can be found on the official website for Dungeon Empires.

Asura’s Wrath Pre-Order Offers
Genre: Action / Adventure
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360
Rating: M
Developer: Cyber Connect 2
Publisher: Capcom
Distributor: THQ
Release Date: 23^rd February, 2012

EB Games – Link
If “Fury itself supplies arms” then we can only imagine what kind of a day Asura is having if he’s sprouted six of them…bear witness to the angriest Demigod of all time in this beautifully realised Art book exclusive to EB Games.

[EB_offer here]

JB Hi-Fi – Link
At 60cm x 90cm this wall scroll features Asura in a characteristic state of extreme displeasure. Hang this on your bedroom door to remind yourself how good you’ve got it, or fix it to your cubicle wall to remind your colleagues that they best not mess with you – the ticking time bomb of fury.

[JB_offer here]

Retail Wide offer
In addition, EB Games, JB Hi-Fi and GAME will all offer the following DLC as a pre-order exclusive:

Devastator Pack – Featuring Guardian Mode for superior damage reduction and Iconoclast Mode to fill your Unlimited Gauge faster.

Infinity Pack – Featuring Extinguisher Mode for faster cooling after overheating and Zealot Mode for extended use of your Unlimited Function.

[devastator and infinity packs here]

Gameplay overview
With unprecedented levels of dynamism, drama and interaction, Asura’s Wrath™ delivers a fresh take on the action gaming genre. Combining intense combat with a seamless player controlled narrative, Asura’s Wrath introduces a brand new style of action game. Players will control Asura in a blend of action and cinematic sequences taking an active role in the gameplay direction.

Long ago in the realm of Shinkoku, eight deities known as “The Eight Guardian Generals” battled to protect civilisation from a destructive force known only as Gohma. During the victory celebration, the Emperor of Shinkoku is assassinated in a sinister plot and the blame is placed on Asura. In the middle of the commotion, Asura’s wife is also murdered and his daughter kidnapped. With everyone turning against him, Asura is stripped of all his powers and banished to Earth. Awoken by a voice after 12,000 years, Asura vows revenge on all those who have betrayed him.

Asura’s Wrath finds Asura facing off against numerous distinct enemies, including planetary sized bosses. Through a mix of range attacks and visceral close quarter action players will fill Asura’s ‘Burst Gauge,’ unleashing the full force of his rage and delivering devastating attacks on those who betrayed him. Asura’s story of revenge will be told through episodic gameplay, taking the player on a journey of highs and lows and adopting a structure that is similar to a TV drama series.