The demonically-besieged world of Sanctuary needs heroes. Now you can join in the apocalyptic battle for FREE via the all-new Diablo®  III Starter Edition.  Available exclusively via Battle.net®, the Starter Edition allows you to fight your way up to the Skeleton King boss in Act I, and advance all the way to level 13, without having to purchase a copy of Diablo III.

You can get the FREE Starter Edition in any of the following ways:

• Log in to your existing Battle.net account at http://www.battle.net, and sign up for the Diablo III Starter Edition through the “Your Game Accounts” section.
• Create a new Battle.net account here, and the Diablo III Starter Edition license will be added to your account automatically.
• Grab the Diablo III game disc from a friend, install the game, and then log in with your Battle.net account. The Diablo III Starter Edition will be added to your account automatically.

Note that certain game features are restricted on Starter Edition accounts. Any progress and achievements you earn while playing the Starter Edition will automatically carry over if you decide to upgrade to the full version of Diablo III, and the Starter Edition restrictions will be removed.

For more information and a full list of restrictions, check out the Diablo III Starter Edition FAQ.

Canon’s largest-ever award tally spans the imaging sector from compact and SLR photography to photo printing and video capture

SYDNEY, 15 August 2012: Canon Australia has announced another round of prestigious product awards this year with four camera, printer and video products claiming esteemed European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) product awards, marking Canon’s highest number of EISA awards received in a single year. The EISA accolades follow a record six awards by the Technical Image Press Association* (TIPA) in April.

The EISA-award-winning products are the Canon EOS 5D Mark III digital SLR camera, named European Advanced SLR Camera 2012-2013; the PowerShot G1 X compact digital camera, honoured with the European Compact Camera 2012-2013 award; the LEGRIA HF M52 video camcorder, crowned European Camcorder 2012-2013; and the PIXMA PRO-1 professional inkjet printer, recognised with the European Photo Printer 2012-2013 award.

“2012 continues to be a standout for us and our partners with our best-ever range of products and a record number of major awards across our imaging categories,” said Jason McLean, Director – Canon Consumer Imaging, Canon Australia. “Winning a TIPA or an EISA award is the ultimate recognition that a product is the best of the best, so we are thrilled to have won a total of 10 this year in all major categories from compact and SLR photography to photo printing and video capture. It is fitting that Canon’s 75^th anniversary year coincides with a record number of awards that recognise our unique position of leadership across digital image capture and output.”

Canon EOS 5D Mark III: European Advanced SLR Camera 2012-2013

Described as an “extremely versatile still camera,” the EOS 5D Mark III was lauded for being an “easy-to-use, professional quality, DSLR movie camera” that boasts “substantial improvements in real-life photography as well as in performance” compared with its predecessor, the 5D Mark II. In addition to a 22.0-million-pixel CMOS sensor that, according to EISA jury members, “yields great results under normal and low-light conditions,” the EOS 5D Mark III was noted for its six frames- per-second continuous shooting speed and body design featuring “significantly improved resistance.”

Canon PowerShot G1 X: European Compact Camera 2012-2013

According to the EISA jury, the PowerShot G1 X’s image quality is “at a level that can compete with many DSLRs,” a feat that is “quite amazing for a camera with such a compact body.” In addition to featuring a sensor size that helps “keep noise well under control” even at high ISO settings, the G1 X’s powerful DIGIC 5 image processor “plays a major role in reducing image noise” and processing the camera’s 14.3-million-pixel, 14-bit images “at top speed.” Based on tests by EISA, the camera’s 4x zoom “offers good image quality for such a compact design” while its built-in image stabilizer, which uses the same hybrid IS technology as some professional Canon lenses, is “very efficient.”

Canon LEGRIA HF M52: European Camcorder 2012-2013

The compact HF M52 camcorder, according to EISA, gives users the opportunity to shoot “high- quality video with ultra-fast focusing and effective picture stabilisation.” The 32GB built-in memory provides up to three hours of shooting “at the highest picture quality,” while external SD flash memory, including SDXC, means users should “never run out of space.” In addition to its built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, which “makes it easy to share footage,” the jury noted that, what stood out most for the HF M52 was its “superb picture quality, courtesy of Canon’s HD CMOS Pro sensor.”

Canon PIXMA PRO-1: European Photo Printer 2012-2013

Featuring 12 high-capacity pigment ink cartridges, the PIXMA PRO-1 is, according to the EISA jury panel, “the perfect choice for making long-lasting prints of outstanding quality.” The printer, aimed at serious amateurs and professional photographers, realizes not only “excellent and consistent” colour rendering, but also, thanks to five dedicated monochrome inks, “black-and-white prints [that] are highly detailed and really stand out.” The EISA jury described the PRO-1 as “full of modern technology,” delivering “excellent quality with relatively low running costs.” 

About EISA

Comprising 50 special interest magazines from across Europe focusing on such categories as photography, video and audio, EISA presents awards to those products that were released in Europe within the past 12 months and deemed representative of their product category. Launched in 1982, this year marks the EISA award’s 31st year. In total, Canon has been honoured with 56 EISA awards over a 27-year period, including 24 consecutive years in which the company received accolades.

Other Awards in 2012

In addition to the EISA awards, the EOS 5D Mark III and PowerShot G1 X were named “Best Video DSLR in 2012” and “Best Expert Compact Camera in 2012,” respectively, by the Technical Image Press Association* (TIPA) in April of this year. Other TIPA award-winning products were:

• Best Professional DSLR Lens   – Canon EF8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM
• Best DSLR Professional – EOS-1D X
• Best Professional Video Camera – Cinema EOS C300
• Best Multifunction Photo Printer – PIXMA MG8250

* The Technical Image Press Association, comprising photography and imaging magazines across Europe, awards products based on an annual vote.

Related links:

–        Press Release: Canon claims six TIPA Awards 2012

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Monolith Productions are pleased to present Guardians of Middle-earth’s European hands-on debut at GamesCom Aug. 15-19 (local time). Attendees can play as newly revealed characters including Aragorn’s father, Arathorn and Runsig, who works in service of the Witch-king of Angmar

SYDNEY, Australia– August 14, 2012 – The battle continues as DICE, an Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) studio, today announced the ultimate Battlefield 3™ game pack: Battlefield 3 Premium Edition. This all-encompassing offer combines the original Battlefield 3 game, all Battlefield 3 Premium content including five themed digital expansion packs, and a Battlefield 3 Multiplayer Head-Start Kit that is custom-designed to help jump start players who are new to multiplayer by automatically unlocking 15 different weapons, gadgets and vehicle upgrades.

Battlefield 3 Premium Edition delivers more than 25 maps, over 70 weapons and vehicles and dozens of unlocks and upgrades, making it the perfect entry point into one of the top shooter games of this generation. Priced at AUD$69.99 and NZD$79.99, the value that the Battlefield 3 Premium Edition provides is unbeatable when compared to purchasing all this great content individually at a cost of well over $100.

“Since launch, over 15 million people worldwide have enjoyed the thrill of Battlefield, and with the release of Battlefield 3 Premium Edition the community is set to surge once again. Packing a ton of gameplay at an incredible price, there has never been a better time to jump in and see what all the fun is about. We look forward to seeing some new faces on the battlefield,” said Patrick Bach, Executive Producer, Battlefield 3.

The Battlefield 3 Premium Edition includes:

• Battlefield 3: Among the fastest selling titles in EA’s history, Battlefield 3 has sold more than 15M units since release. Lauded by game critics worldwide for its compelling single player campaign, intense co-op missions and its addictive and world-class multiplayer, Battlefield 3 has won more than 130 awards globally.
• Battlefield 3 Premium membership: Battlefield 3 Premium is an innovative offering that includes early access to five digital expansion packs including Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand, Battlefield 3: Close Quarters, Battlefield 3: Armored Kill, Battlefield 3: End Game and the newly announced Battlefield 3: Aftermath. These themed digital expansion packs introduce a massive amount of content including 20 new maps and weapons, four new game modes and more. Players will also receive new soldier and weapon camos, deeper personalization options, and advanced features making for the ultimate Battlefield 3 experience.
• Battlefield 3 Multiplayer Head-Start Kit: This kit will automatically unlock 15 different weapons, gadgets and vehicle upgrades so new players can immediately jump in.

Battlefield 3 Premium Edition will be available in Australia on September 13 and in New Zealand on September 14 for the Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and PC. PlayStation 3 players will also receive an additional week of early access to all remaining digital expansion packs. For the latest news on Battlefield please visit http://www.facebook.com/battlefield, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/battlefield or sign up for the official Battlefield newsletter at www.battlefield.com.

Fresh from hosting the SimCity Championships, your city gets a visit from the wealthy and elite Bilderbob Group. Complete quests to make your city the bees’ knees. Upgrade your city’s style with new luxurious structures. Attend the Bilderbob Ball and be seen around town. Will you help to make the Bilderbob Group’s entry into your city successful or will you unlock their secrets?  Work alongside your Mayor friends and together you can unlock new items for each of your cities!  Add jewelry to your city with the Ruby Statue, attract people far and wide with a swanky new Country Club, and earn more resources with a new Bank and Luxury Good Factory. Is your city up to the task at hand?

Unprecedented Online Service Launches Worldwide for  TEKKEN Community the Week of September 10, 2012

CERGY-PONTOISE, France – 14 August 2012 – Leading video game publisher and developer, NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe S.A.S. today announced that it will be launching the World Tekken Federation online social community service, day and date for the worldwide launch of TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT™ 2 the week of September 10, 2012 for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

The World Tekken Federation service will provide TEKKEN™ players with a social community platform to track personal statistics against the world, create and manage teams with friends, compete in online events and discuss intricate strategies with a level of unparalleled detail in the fighting game genre.

“World Tekken Federation is a premium service that aims to connect players to the TEKKEN worldwide community in a way never before seen with a fighting game,” said Carlson Choi, Vice President of Marketing for NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc.  “Being able to unite the entire TEKKEN global community is an incredibly exciting initiative that will help extend the competitive nature of the series well past TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT 2’s launch date.”

The World Tekken Federation will expand the TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT 2 experience through the following key fundamentals:

Scout: The World Tekken Federation gives the vast TEKKEN community a centralized hub for all things TEKKEN.  Participate in the forums to discuss character strategies, move sets and gain insightful knowledge from the community.  Connect with TEKKEN players of all skill levels to join or create teams and track their personal or team stats against other teams as they make their way through the leaderboards.  Team leaders will be able to recruit rising competitors in the community to create an all-star roster of players.

Train: The World Tekken Federation gives players access to a wealth of fighter stats to help improve their chances of defeating their foes in the King of Iron Fist arena.  Players will be able to view and analyze their player card to gain insightful metrics pertaining to their entire battle history. Find out which character tag-team combinations work best, and which characters need more time with TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT 2’s robust training mode known as the Fight Lab.  Players will also be able to extract valuable information about their opponents for the next time they meet in the ring.

The World Tekken Federation provides fans a unique and exciting experience by providing players a constant connection to TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT 2 that they can access through any online connected device.  Sign up for exclusive community events, gain exclusive World Tekken Federation achievements, participate in the forums or evaluate detailed player statistics at home, on the way to work, or anywhere in between.

The World Tekken Federation will be available in Europe and Australasia coinciding with the launch of TEKKEN TAG TOURNAMENT 2 on September, 14^th.(Australian launch is September 13)

For more information on the TEKKEN universe, please visit: http://www.namcobandaigames.eu or http://www.tekken.com. Find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Tekken or follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/Harada_TEKKEN or http://www.twitter.com/FilthieRich.