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Ural Steel 2012 Winners Announced

World of Tanks Championship 2012 Title Goes To The RED: Rush Unity from Russia

18th september, 2012 — Wargaming today announced the results of the International Ural Steel Championship 2012 Grand Finals, held on the 16th of September at CSKA Sport Arena in Moscow, where three Russian teams became the champions of the World of Tanks final showdown. After a number of intense clashes, The RED: Rush Unity team took the Champion’s title away from The RED-Z GRA with a 3 to 0 victory on the Lakeville map, while third place went to Virtus.Pro ACES.

“Wargaming is planning on putting more and more effort in establishing World of Tanks as a truly global cyber-sport discipline,” said Andrei Yarantsau, VP of Global Operations at Wargaming. “The competition at the Ural Steel Championship 2012 only encourages us to continue to bring together professional gamers as well as work harder to expand our fan base among the eSports community.”

The tournament took place in group stages and playoffs, with each team fielding seven tankmen in best-of-five matches played over six maps. The quarter-finals and semi-finals were played on the Himmelsdorf and Steppes maps, respectively, and resulted in two teams vying for the championship, complete with sizable cash prizes.

The 5,000-seat CSKA Sport Arena played host to the 15 top teams of tankers from Russia, the European Union, North America, China, and Japan, each competing for a $77,000 prize purse and a chance to win the coveted title of World of Tanks World Champions 2012.

The Ural Steel Championship is a large-scale international tournament held within World of Tanks and dedicated to providing gamers with the opportunity to come together, have fun and celebrate their passion for the game and professional eSports.

About World of Tanks

World of Tanks is the first and only team-based, massively multiplayer online action game dedicated to armored warfare. Throw yourself into the epic tank battles of World War II with other steel cowboys all over the world. Your arsenal includes more than 150 armored vehicles from America, Germany, the Soviet Union, and France, carefully detailed with historical accuracy.

A flexible system of authentic vehicle upgrades and development allows you to try any of the vehicles and weapons in the game. Whether you prefer to exhaust your foes with fast and maneuverable light tanks, make deep breaches in enemy lines with all-purpose medium tanks, use the force of giant tanks to eliminate opposing armored forces, or become a heavy sniper with long-range howitzers, each unit type has its own advantages and can be extremely effective when operated by a true tank ace.

But being a great tank commander alone isn’t enough to win! In World of Tanks, it’s all about teamwork. Victory is achieved by combining your combat skills with those of the other members of your team, each playing their own role on the battlefield. Just add your favorite strategy to build your own steel empire and manifest the indisputable authority of the tank power!

Join World of Tanks:

About Wargaming:

Wargaming is an award-winning online game developer and publisher and one of the leaders in the free-to-play MMO market. Founded as a privately held company in 1998, Wargaming has shipped more than 15 titles and employs over 1000 people across such key regions as North America, Europe, Russia, and Asia.

Currently, Wargaming is focused on its team-based MMO war series dedicated to the mid-20th century warfare that will include the company’s flagship armored MMO World of Tanks, launched in April 2011 and currently boasting 30 million players worldwide, the flight combat World of Warplanes, named one of the most anticipated MMOs for 2012, and the naval World of Warships, scheduled for release in 2013.

In June 2012, Wargaming announced the Wargaming.net Service, the epicenter of a battle-centric gaming universe that will gather the series under a single portal – www.wargaming.net.

Official web site: www.wargaming.com

 
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Razer Announces Availability of the World’s First Gaming Laptop in Australia

Razer sets Australia as one of the company’s focus countries for new product launches

AUSTRALIA – September 18, 2012 –Razer™, the world leader in high-performance gaming hardware, today announced that it is bringing its most powerful weapon yet, the new Razer Blade, to Down Under. As part of Razer’s commitment to the Australian market and gamers, Australia will be one of the first countries to have the new Razer Blade available. Retailing at AU$2,999.00, the next generation gaming laptop is set for release from November 1 at Pitt St Mall JB Hi-Fi Store (Sydney), Elizabeth Street Software JB Hi-Fi Store (Melbourne), JB Hi-Fi Online and Razerzone.com.

“We’ve been told (over and over) by our Aussie gaming fans that they feel that the Australian market lags behind in terms of the availability of new hardware and games,” said Tan, “and I think that it’s bloody time to set a new precedence by making Australia one of the first countries globally to have the latest Razer equipment, and there is no better way than to start that off with the new Razer Blade.”

The new Razer Blade is only 0.88 inches thick, less than half the thickness of traditional gaming laptops of comparable performance. Combined with an ultra-slim power supply, the entire system weighs less than three kilograms, less than half the weight of other gaming laptops, making it the lowest profile, lightest gaming laptop of its class.

“The all-new Razer Blade is kick-ass powerful; it has extreme levels of performance and yet amazingly thin,” Tan continued. “The Blade features the next generation of Intel® quad core processors combined with powerful NVIDIA® GTX class graphics chips and the fastest RAM available, resulting in a machine that is insanely powerful.”

PC gamers will now be able to experience today’s most graphics-intensive games at phenomenal frame rates on the new Razer Blade’s remarkable 17.3-in. high-definition display. The machine’s new hybrid drive solution delivers data up to three times faster than traditional hard drives, with double the storage space. Additional features include quieter fans, optimized speakers, and three USB 3.0 ports with charging capabilities even when the system is switched off.

The most striking and innovative feature of the Razer Blade remains its multi-award-winning Switchblade User Interface (UI). The unique integrated LCD display/multi-touch panel and 10 dynamic adaptive tactile keys put commands and control functions within fingertip reach. The Switchblade UI features a growing list of applications designed specifically for gaming by Razer’s in-house software engineers as well as by Razer’s active community of users. These apps allow users to browse the web for in-game guides, watch online videos, stay connected within their social networks, and take advantage of an expanding list of dedicated gaming apps without ever having to leave a game.

Watch the “Razer Blade: The Beauty is Now the Beast” video at:
http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-systems/razer-blade

About the Razer Blade gaming laptop
The new Razer Blade is a 17-in. gaming laptop that delivers extreme performance and all-new features and applications in an ultra-portable form factor. It features a fast Intel® Core™ i7 processor and a high-performance NVIDIA GeForce® graphics processor within in a lightweight aluminum chassis. The revolutionary Switchblade User Interface, located next to the Blade’s full-size keyboard, was designed by Razer from the ground up to enhance gaming experiences and provide more control at the gamer’s fingertips. The Switchblade features 10 adaptive tactile keys and a multi-touch LCD panel that can also display in-game information. And at just 0.88 inches thin and weighing a mere 2.99kg, the Razer Blade is the world’s first true gaming laptop.

Price: AU$2,999.00 (inclusive of prevailing taxes)

Availability:
Available for AU$2,999.00 from November 1 in Australia at Pitt St Mall JB Hi-Fi Store (Sydney), Elizabeth Street Software JB Hi-Fi Store (Melbourne), JB Hi-Fi Online and Razerzone.com.

Product Specifications:
•       Intel® Core™ i7 3632QM Quad Core Processor
•       CPU: 2.2GHz (Base) / 3.2GHz (Turbo)
•       NVIDIA GeForce® GTX 660M with NVIDIA® Optimus™ Technology

2GB Dedicated GDDR5 Video Memory
•       8GB 1600 MHz DDR3 Memory
•       17.3-in. LED Backlit Display (1920×1080)
•       Built-in HD Webcam
•       Integrated 60Wh Battery
•       500GB 7200RPM HDD (Primary Storage)
•       64GB SATA III SSD with NVELO Dataplex™ Software (Cache Acceleration)
•       Wireless Network 802.11 A/G/N + BT4.0
•       16.81″ (Width) x 10.9″ (Depth) x 0.88″ (Height); 2.99kg (Weight)

For more information, please visit http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-systems/razer-blade

The new Razer Blade Gaming Laptop images
Black Background
White Background
Mood Shots

About the Razer Group:
Razer™ is the world leader in high-performance gaming hardware. Founded in 1998, with its headquarters in Carlsbad, California, the company has offices in nine cities around the globe. Used by the most demanding professional gamers who compete in global tournaments, Razer provides gamers with the unfair advantage of cutting-edge technology and award-winning design. We live by our motto: For Gamers. By Gamers.
For more information, please visit http://www.razerzone.com/.

 
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Rocksmith’s new song DLC’s continue to give us the right to rock

Rocksmith follows up last week’s Downloadable content of rocking tunes which included David Bowie “The Man Who Sold The World” Dobie Gray “Drift Away” and Mountain “Mississippi Queen”…a diverse mix of 70’s rock.

Now this week we get some truly inspired mix of 80’s for this week of September 18th 2012 DLC release that includes Whitesnake “Is This Love” Europe “Final Countdown” and the all-time youth rock Anthem Twisted Sister “Were Not Gonna Take It”

We fired up the game and downloaded the latest this morning and tried the tunes out. It’s still lots of fun to play and still a rush to hit the notes. Keep on doing what you’re doing Ubisoft with Rocksmith. The aggressive DLC plan keeps the Rocksmith fans on a musical I.V . Drip of content while leaving them wanting more for this still impressive Guitar and Bass learning game.

 
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Tecmo Koei EUROPE Reveals TGS 2012 Lineup

Tokyo Game Show Lineup Features Strong Roster of Action Games Including Dead or Alive 5 

Sydney, September 14th, 2012 – TECMO KOEI Europe[i], a leading publisher of interactive games, today announced its Tokyo Game Show (TGS) 2012 lineup of playable demos. The Tecmo Koei booth will showcase a range of action and fighting games including the next generation of DEAD OR ALIVE combat, DEAD OR ALIVE 5, with the full version of the final game available for play and Team NINJA available for interviews. Other titles available for demos include the action fighter DYNASTY WARRIORS 7 Empires, the brawler Fist of the North Star: Ken’s Rage 2, and the tactical action game WARRIORS OROCHI 3 Hyper. The Tecmo Koei booth is located in the 2nd Hall, Booth #2-N1, and will be open Thursday, September 20 through Sunday, September 23 during show hours.

The following playable titles will topline TECMO KOEI’s show lineup:

  • DEAD OR ALIVE 5 incorporates a wealth of martial arts fighting techniques into its distinctive fighting style to create a captivating new generation of DEAD OR ALIVE combat. In the game, which releases on September 25th for both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, players will once again take on the roles of the famed cast of DOA fighters in an action-packed brawler set in visually striking locations from around the world. The famed DEAD OR ALIVE hand-to-hand combat unfolds in new 3D stages that dynamically change as the fight progresses. The game’s sterling cast includes not only stars from the DOA series but also select fighters from the iconic Virtua Fighter series.
  • Fist of the North Star: Ken’s Rage 2: The sequel to Fist of the North Star: Ken’s Rage, a collaboration between the popular manga Fist of the North Star and Tecmo Koei’s own Warriors series. In addition to continuing the story, this title will provide a reimagining of the content of the first game, with an even greater emphasis on the original manga. The addition of more playable characters and an increased focus on the Warriors series’ famous tactical action will serve to make this the ultimate Fist of the North Star game experience.
  • DYNASTY WARRIORS 7 Empires is the greatest Empires ever, including all the characters from Dynasty Warriors 7 and Dynasty Warriors 7 Extreme Legends. Designed to provide a great variety of play styles, Dynasty Warriors 7 Empires is a mix of strategy and tactical action where players can fight for power, use cunning and strategy to gain power, or use a number of different approaches to unite the Three Kingdoms.
  • WARRIORS OROCHI 3 Hyper: A tactical action game, Warriors Orochi 3 Hyper transports the much loved heroes of the Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors series into a story that also features characters from other popular titles such as Ninja Gaiden, Warriors: Legends of Troy, Bladestorm, Dead or Alive and a brand new character unique to the game. Along with the huge cast, the game lets players unlock abilities and influence the story, customize scenarios and share them online, and enjoy co-op play using independent screens on the Wii U GamePad and TV.

[i] ABOUT TECMO KOEI EUROPE LTD.

TECMO KOEI EUROPE LTD. is a publisher of interactive entertainment software for current generation consoles, handhelds and digital download content based in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, UK. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of TECMO KOEI HOLDINGS CO., LTD., headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. TECMO is best known for the Dead or Alive® and Ninja Gaiden®series. KOEI is best known for its Dynasty Warriors® and Samurai Warriors® franchises. On April 1, 2009, TECMO KOEI HOLDINGS CO., LTD was established as a result of the TECMO, LTD. and KOEI Co., Ltd. merger. More information about TECMO KOEI EUROPE LTD and its products can be found at www.tecmokoei-europe.com.

Akira, Sarah, Pai characters © SEGA. Virtua Fighter is either a registered trademark or trademark of SEGA Corporation.

FIST OF THE NORTH STAR ©1983 Buronson & Tetsuo Hara/North Stars Pictures Inc., Approved number KOI-021.

 
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Kingston Technology Hosts HyperX 10-Year Anniversary StarCraft II Tournament

StarCraft II Gamers Compete to Become First-ever HyperX Champion
Available Cash Prizes Total $15,000(USD)

Sydney, Australia – September 18, 2012? Kingston, the independent world leader in memory products, today announced it will host a free online StarCraft II tournament in honor of the 10-year anniversary of the HyperX product line. Since 2002, Kingston HyperX products have been the memory of choice for gamers, computer enthusiasts, overclockers and system builders. The tournament is a chance for Kingston to say thank you and host an event that gives back to its customers and fans.

Gamers from around the world will compete online with the goal of qualifying for the live finals in Las Vegas, NV. during International CES 2013 in January. In addition, eight invited pro gamers will be seeded into the top sixteen,  and will battle it out to win one of four cash prizes totaling $15,000 and become the first-ever HyperX Champion.

“We have supported the gaming industry throughout the 10 years HyperX has been around and they have supported us,” said Scott Chen, Vice-President of APAC region, Kingston. “We wanted to create a fun event that would enable us to give back to our fans and loyal customers. This is a great opportunity for them to enjoy competing against each other and win some great prizes.”

The tournament registration is open to anyone; it starts on September 17, 2012 and closes September 27, 2012. There is no purchase necessary to enter. The online competition will be held on October 1 through November 30, 2012. The live final will be held on January 7 and 8 during International CES 2013. The first place winner and HyperX Champion will receive $7,000 USD, second place wins $4,500 USD, third place wins $2,500 and fourth place wins $1,000 USD.

For the terms and conditions and more information about rules, tournament structure, maps and prizes please visit hyperx.evilgeniuses.net/.

Kingston can be found on:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KingstonBlogFansClub.en
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/KingstonAPAC

 
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Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Wii U

 
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APPLE WINNING THE WAR WITH 62.9% OF AUSTRALIAN SAMSUNG PHONE HOLDERS PLANNING TO SWITCH TO iPHONE 5

Following last week’s launch of the iPhone5, 80.6%[1] of Australians are now planning to purchase the new smart phone. With the war between Apple and Samsung at full steam, Samsung are set to lose out on sales to Apple, with 62.9% of current Samsung phone holders planning to purchase an iPhone 5.

Todd Foot, Publisher of comparison website MobilePhoneFinder.com.au says, “The long anticipated iPhone5 is unsurprisingly, the most coveted phone on the market right now. Consumers eager to get their hands on one should consider the most cost effective, smart ways to switch to the latest Apple device.”

64% of people plan to buy the iPhone 5 through a plan and 59.4% of those surveyed said they plan to switch to an alternative network provider.

Mr. Foot has the following top 3 tips for those planning on switching to an iPhone5:

  1. Outright or with a plan

If you have the cash it’s cheaper to buy a phone outright and get a sim card from some of the wholesale providers. Make sure to compare sim only card providers as there is quite a bit of variance in their already hyper competitive offers. It’s also important to remember that the iPhone 5 has a nano sim and so you will need to upgrade your sim card to one of these smaller chips.

  1. Compare plans and      prices

Use a comparison website like MobilePhoneFinder.com.au to compare all of the plans and prices to save yourself money. Plans require either a 24 or 12 month commitment so it’s best to compare before you buy and find the right plan to suit your needs. 

  1. Waitlists mean      higher prices –a little patience will save you money

There are always benefits in waiting for your deal to go down in price after the first release. Generally mobile phone companies lower their handset costs over time and this will give you a better chance to get a cheaper deal.
Faster wi-fi and 4G speed appears to be the most compelling feature for consumers, with one in four Aussies choosing it as their favourite of the announced specs for the new phone. 21.3% cited the larger screen as an important new feature and 19.8% were happy to learn that the new phone will have improved battery life.

MobilePhoneFinder.com.au is a mobile phone and plan comparison service helping Australians save money by comparing phone costs and specs. Get a better understanding of the new iPhone 5 and other devices and plans at MobilePhoneFinder.com.au.

For more information on Mobile Phone Finder visit www.mobilephonefinder.com.au

 
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Sackboy launches onto PlayStation Vita this week

SYDNEY, 18 September 2012 – Sony Computer Entertainment Australia (SCE Aust.), this week welcomes one of the most iconic PlayStation characters, Sackboy™, to PlayStation®Vita (PS Vita) . Loved by many across the globe, Sackboy will make his PS Vita debut this Thursday, 20 September, when LittleBigPlanet™ PlayStation®Vita launches in Australia.

The LittleBigPlanet™ franchise first arrived on Australian shores in 2008, to critical acclaim on PlayStation®3 (PS3™).  Now, with in excess of 6 million levels that have been played, created and shared by fans across the globe, LittleBigPlanet PlayStation Vita is a highly anticipated release. The title mixes classic LittleBigPlanet platforming with innovative touch-based mini-games, and the unique PS Vita functionality offers gamers an innovative way to play that includes access to a plethora of tools to create with.  PlayStation®Network features further enhance the experience, offering limitless game creation possibilities and the ability to share their creations with the already thriving LittleBigPlanet community.

It’s also one small step for “Sack-kind” down under…  Sackboy: Project (Near) Space announced!

Celebrating his Australian launch onto PS Vita, Sackboy is in preparation mode for his biggest little big adventure yet!  Next month, our beloved hero will turn “hessian-naught”, and embark on his world first journey to near space.  Attached to a meteorological balloon and set to launch from Australian soil, Sackboy will journey towards the Earth’s “Sackosphere” where he’ll get a perfect bird’s-eye view of our own little big planet.

This October, PlayStation® Australia will call on all community fans to play a part in Sackboy’s journey. With a new digital and social campaign, PlayStation will first invite fans to ‘create’:  the gravity-rush defying astro suit that will be physically made and worn by Sackboy on his epic Aussie voyage. Fans will then be asked to ‘play’: supported by a range of clues, community players will be offered the opportunity to drop a pin on their estimated landing spot for Sackboy, for an opportunity to win a LittleBigPlanet prize pack.

To take part in and follow Sackboy’s journey is easy. From early October, visit the ‘Sackboy: Project (Near) Space’ tab, via the PlayStation Australia Facebook page, and join us as we count down to lift off!

LittleBigPlanet PlayStation Vita launches in-store this Thursday, 20 September with a recommended retail price of AUD$54.95. If you’re a fan of the franchise and have yet to go portable with PlayStation Vita, now’s the perfect opportunity with the availability of the Special Edition LittleBigPlanet PS Vita bundle which includes a voucher to redeem the game, a 4GB memory card and a PlayStation Vita WIFI model, all for just AUD$349.95.

 
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The Screenwriter’s Roadmap

By Neil Landau

Available September 28th!

Pre-Order The Screenwriter’s Roadmap here:

http://bit.ly/LandauSR

New York, NY – September 6, 2012 – From the bestselling author of 101 Things I Learned in Film School and screenwriter of Don’t Tell Mom The Babysitter’s Dead, Neil Landau, comes The Screenwriter’s Roadmap: 21 Ways to Jumpstart Your Story, a new title from the Focal Press out September 28th. Pre-order Screenwriter’s Roadmap on Amazon.com here: http://bit.ly/LandauSR

Each chapter is augmented by end of chapter “homework” assignments, examples from recent blockbusters and timeless classic films, as well as interviews with some of Hollywood’s most successful screenwriters including Scott Z. Burns (Contagion), Tony Gilroy (Michael Clayton, The Bourne Legacy), Laeta Kalogridis (Shutter Island), David Koepp (Spider Man), Jeff Nathanson (Catch Me If You Can), Eric Roth (Forrest Gump, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close), David S. Goyer (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight Rises), Billy Ray (The Hunger Games), Melissa Rosenberg (the Twilight trilogy), Sheldon Turner (Up in the Air), and many others.

In this book, Landau, an established Hollywood screenwriter and script doctor, provides 21 questions for you to ask yourself as you write, to help you nail down your screenplay’s story structure, deepen its character arcs, bolster stakes, heighten suspense, and diagnose and repair its potential weaknesses. Originally created as a handout for Landau’s UCLA screenwriting class, these vital “21 Questions To Keep You On Track” have been field-tested and utilized in the creation of some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters and critically acclaimed films.
The Screenwriter’s Roadmap by Neil Landau will be available September 28th.

About The Author:

Neil Landau is co-author of the bestselling 101 Things I Learned in Film School (Grand Central Publishing, 2010). His numerous film and television credits include the cult teen comedy “Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead,” and the new 3D animated feature “The Adventures of Tad Jones” (Paramount, 2012) – which just opened #1 at the box office in Spain, and will next premiere in China, France, UK, Russia, and all over the world.

In addition to his numerous TV credits, including “Melrose Place,” “The Magnificent Seven,” “Doogie Howser, M.D.,” “The Secret World of Alex Mack,” “Twice in a Lifetime,” MTV’s “Undressed,” plus one-hour drama TV pilots for CBS, ABC, Warner Bros., Disney, and Lifetime, Neil is also an in-demand script consultant, and worked for Sony Pictures, Freemantle, and Universal; Pictures. He is currently serving as Executive Producer on several new TV projects, for HBO-Europe and Fox TV Studios.

He currently teaches in the MFA in Screenwriting and Producing Programs at both UCLA School of Film & Television (his alma mater), and USC School of Cinematic Arts.

 
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BIOWARE ANNOUNCES DRAGON AGE 3: INQUISITION

SYDNEY, AustraliaSeptember 18, 2012 – BioWare, a Label of Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA), today announced Dragon Age™ 3: Inquisition, the next chapter in the award-winning role-playing game (RPG) franchise, is in development at BioWare Edmonton and BioWare Montreal. Coming in late 2013, Dragon Age 3: Inquisition combines the storytelling legacy BioWare is known for, with deep RPG gameplay, all on a brand new RPG game engine underpinned by EA’s critically-acclaimed Frostbite™ 2 technology.

“The Dragon Age team has been working on Dragon Age 3: Inquisition for almost two years now,” said Aaryn Flynn, General Manager of BioWare Edmonton and BioWare Montreal.  “We’ve been poring over player feedback from past games and connecting directly with our fans. They haven’t held back, so we’re not either. With Dragon Age 3: Inquisition, we want to give fans what they’re asking for – a great story with choices that matter, a massive world to explore, deep customization and combat that is both tactical and visceral.”

Added Flynn, “At the same time, we know we need new technology to truly make this vision become fully realized. And we’ve been working with DICE to make Frostbite 2 the foundation for the engine that is going to power Dragon Age 3.”

The Dragon Age franchise has received over 80 awards from critics around the world, and has sold over 8 million copies to date*. Created by BioWare, the property has spawned many novels, an animated film, comic books, collectibles and more since Dragon Age: Origins launched in 2009.
For more information about Dragon Age 3: Inquisition, including updates from the development team and a letter to the fans from Executive Producer Mark Darrah, please visit the game’s official web site at http://dragonage.comDragon Age fans can also receive updates on Twitter® at http://twitter.com/dragonage, or on Facebook at http://facebook.com/dragonage.