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TOP MUSICAL ARTISTS FROM SIX INTERNATIONAL COUNTRIES RECEIVE ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME CHANCE TO CONTRIBUTE TO “STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS” FROM PARAMOUNT PICTURES

AUSTRALIA’S SONGWRITER/PRODUCER ROBERT CONLEY AND SINGER PENELOPE AUSTIN CREATE ORIGINAL SONG FOR THE FILM, “THE DARK COLLIDE”

Sydney(April 23, 2013) – Australia-based songwriter and producer Robert Conley and singing star Penelope Austin will record an original song for J.J. Abrams’ highly anticipated “STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS,” in theatres May 9.  The duo is among a select group of artists from six countries who received a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have their work featured in the upcoming film from Paramount Pictures.

For the first time ever in a Paramount live-action film, lyricists, vocalists and music producers from around the world were invited to add their creative talents and a local flavour to a track written for a major motion picture, which will be featured in the film during its theatrical run in each of the artists’ respective countries.

So, moviegoers in the countries that participated will hear a unique and different soundtrack than the moviegoers in other countries.  This opportunity, in which the artist’s own song will play during a pivotal scene with Star Trek’s iconic character Scotty, drew interest from the world’s hottest talent, including Australia’s Conley and Austin—who will now hear their work in the soundtrack in every movie theatre in Australia.

Their song THE DARK COLLIDE, which Conley co-wrote with Austin, who sings vocals, will be heard on the “STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS” soundtrack, which also features Academy Award®-winning composer Michael Giacchino’s score, in every theatre in Australia.

The song will be available for digital download on all major platforms around the films release

Penelope Austin and Robert Conley will walk the red carpet at the Australian Premiere of STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS today at Event Cinemas George Street alongside very special guests J.J Abrams and stars Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Karl Urban.

Austin said “It is such a phenomenal opportunity that six artists around the world have been offered this opportunity.  I am so excited to see and hear the results at the Premiere of STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS at the Premiere tonight”.

“STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS” follows the crew of The Enterprise as they are called back home to Earth in the wake of a shocking act of terror from within their own organization.  In defiance of regulations and with a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads his crew on a manhunt to capture an unstoppable force of destruction and bring those responsible to justice.  As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew.

“STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS” is written by Roberto Orci & Alex Kurtzman & Damon Lindelof and directed by J.J. Abrams.  Abrams is producing with Bryan Burk through Bad Robot Productions, along with Lindelof, Kurtzman and Orci.  Jeffrey Chernov and Skydance Productions’ David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Paul Schwake are the executive producers.

“STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS” opens in theatres in Australia on May 9.

“The Dark Collide”, written by J.J. Abrams, Charles Scott, Robert Conley & Penelope Austin. Produced by Charles Scott, vocals produced by Robert Conley and Performed by Penelope Austin.

 
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SECOND FILM ANNOUNCED FOR REEL ANIME 2013.

Madman Entertainment are proud to announce that the second film for the REEL ANIME 2013 program will be 009 RE: CYBORG.

009 RE: CYBORG is a feature length reboot of the famous manga from the 1960s, produced by Production I.G. (GHOST IN THE SHELL) and directed by Kenji Kamiyama – series director for GHOST IN THE SHELL: STAND ALONE COMPLEX and EDEN OF THE EAST.

The film will also screen in glorious stereoscopic 3D, the first Japanese anime feature film to do so in Australia and New Zealand.

009 RE: CYBORG joins EVANGELION: 3.0 YOU CAN (NOT) REDO in a stellar line up of four of the best new animated feature films direct from Japan. Program dates and further films for REEL ANIME 2013 will be confirmed during the next two Australian Supanova Pop Culture Expo events – Sydney (June 21-23) and Perth (June 28-30).

Traditionally a bi-annual event, 2013 will mark the first time REEL ANIME screens as a yearly program. REEL ANIME 2012 ran from September 13-26 in Australia and late November/early December in New Zealand. The program included Studio Ghibli’s FROM UP ON POPPY HILL, Mamoru Hosoda’s WOLF CHILDREN (winner of the prestigious ‘Animation of the Year’ 2013 Japan Academy Prize award), Makoto Shinkai’s CHILDREN WHO CHASE LOST VOICES and the first film in the new Berserk Golden Age Arc trilogy, BERSERK MOVIE 1: THE EGG OF THE KING.

REEL ANIME 2013 will screen in selected cinema locations across Australia and New Zealand.

For more details about REEL ANIME 2013 please visit www.reelanime.com.

 
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Coming in May: Steve Jackson’s Sorcery!, an Immersive Narrative Game for iPhone and iPad

Coming in May: Steve Jackson’s Sorcery!, an Immersive Narrative Game for iPhone and iPad

Developer inkle‘s reimagining of renowned Fighting Fantasy gamebook is a dynamic handheld adventure that writes itself around players’ choices

CAMBRIDGE, U.K. – April 23, 2013 – inkle, an independent developer of interactive narrative apps, will release their iPhone / iPad adaptation of Steve Jackson’s Sorcery! on the App Store in May. Based on the Sorcery! instalments of the Fighting Fantasy gamebook series, Steve Jackson’s Sorcery! for iPhone and iPad is an unparalleled narrative game that closely adapts to players’ choices, with a story that quite literally writes itself while you play.

As a young hero determined to recover the powerful Crown of Kings, players choose which path to follow on an epic quest across the Shamutanti Hills. Along the way, you’ll explore a beautifully illustrated world filled with memorable encounters, overcome vicious traps, and traverse a dangerous countryside littered with moral tests that can make or break a hero. Through it all, the narrative closely adapts to every action you take, with the AI using your decisions to write a story that will be uniquely different every time.

“We wanted to make something that brought the strange and wonderful world of Sorcery! to life, so we created a game that’s always in flux. There are scores of locations to explore, and thousands of choices to make, and everything you do has the potential to change what happens next, right down to the words of the text. Even the combat sequences are written on the fly as you play,” says Jon Ingold, inkle‘s creative director. “Sorcery! was a gamebook when we started, but now it’s something entirely new. I don’t think anyone’s ever made a game like this before.”

inkle and Steve Jackson’s richly graphical interactive adventure goes way beyond what could exist in book form. The new game plays out across a gorgeous hand-drawn 3D map, with the player choosing their own route as they explore a massively “branchy” storyline. The game features a unique sword-fighting system designed for touch devices, an arsenal of almost 50 weird and wonderful magical spells, and gameplay that calls for decision-making and strategy at every turn.

Sorcery! was by far the most ambitious Fighting Fantasy adventure I ever wrote. At the time, I got completely carried away in my ambition for the series,” says author Steve Jackson. “Playing through this iOS version, it’s obvious that inkle have been equally ambitious — perhaps even more so. What they have created is nothing short of a whole new genre of interactive fiction. And I applaud them for it.”

To learn about Steve Jackson’s Sorcery! in anticipation of its May release, please visit http://www.inklestudios.com/sorcery.

 
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KONAMI adds AFC Champions League to Pro Evolution Soccer series Acclaimed football series to feature Asia’s premier club competition

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has announced an agreement with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to incorporate the AFC Champions League, the prestigious tournament that decides Asia’s greatest club team, into forthcoming versions of Pro Evolution Soccer.

The deal will see KONAMI working closely with the AFC to integrate the club competition into forthcoming Pro Evolution Soccer titles. The game, which enjoys a global presence, will feature a dedicated mode, allowing users to control one of the 32 teams that compete in the AFC Champions League tournament.

The Pro Evolution Soccer series holds a wide range of soccer licenses from around the world, including Europe’s premier club competition, the UEFA Champions League. Since its inception, the series has enjoyed wide-ranging acclaim worldwide, and the addition of Asia’s highly-regarded club competition will only serve to extend its range and awareness within football fans across the globe.

KONAMI is committed to the continual pursuit of realism within its Pro Evolution Soccer series, and the new agreement furthers the publisher’s quest to recreate the excitement, atmosphere and skill of football played at the highest level.

“The acquisition of such a high-profile license such as the AFC Champions League is integral to our ambitious plans for the Pro Evolution Soccer series,” commented Shinji Hirano, President for Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH. “We look forward to a long and successful partnership with the Asian Football Confederation, as we look to bring the passion and skill of the AFC Champions League to vivid life.”

“Konami is rightly regarded as the leader in the field of football video games and their expertise and enthusiasm shines through,” commented Dr. Hafez Al Medlej, Chairman of the Asian Football Confederation Marketing Committee. “We are very excited to see the AFC Champions League integrated into the acclaimed Pro Evolution Soccer series, and foresee a long, close and mutually beneficial partnership for us both.”

Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

 

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is an organisation regulating all   Asian soccer, and is one of the six continental associations that make up   FIFA. It governs 46 member associations from countries and regions representing   over half of the world’s population. Established in 1954, the AFC is now headquartered   in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from which it conducts duties that include   regulating soccer across all of Asia, proposing new rules for the further   development of the sport, promoting youth soccer, and organising a range of   tournament events.

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) official website: www.the-afc.com/en/

 

AFC Champions League

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The AFC Champions League is a tournament organized by the AFC to   determine Asia’s greatest club team. 32 of the strongest teams from Japan,   China, South Korea, and other key regions throughout the continent annually compete   for its illustrious prize

AFC Champions League official website: www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/clubs/afc-champions-league.html

Pro Evolution Soccer

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Pro Evolution Soccer   series began in 1995, and has since grown to become one of the Konami’s most   recognisable and acclaimed titles. Its pursuit of recreating every nuance of   the beautiful game has earned it high praise from around the world, and total   sales have exceeded 81.7 million copies.*

* As of December 2012

Pro Evolution Soccer official website: www.konami-pes2013.com/

 
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NAMCO BANDAI GAMES ANNOUNCE SOULCALIBUR™V

FOR DOWNLOAD ON THE PLAYSTATION®STORE AND ON XBOX® LIVE GAMES ON DEMAND

The critically acclaimed SOULCALIBURTM V, released on PlayStation®3 and Xbox 360® last year, will be available for download on Xbox® Live Games on Demand on April 23rd and on the PlayStation®Store on April 24th

NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe S.A.S. today announced that SOULCALIBURV will be available in EMEA and Australasia for download today on Xbox® LIVE Games on Demand for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and on April 24th, 2013, via the PlayStation®Network for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.

While a stand-alone version of the game will be available on Xbox® LIVE Games on Demand and via the PlayStation®Network for $29.95 an exclusive SOULCALIBURV: Legendary Edition will also be available for download for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system for $49.95. The Legendary Edition includes the full game, plus the additional character, Dampierre, and the downloadable costumes and armor sets.

The latest entry in the premier weapons-based head-to-head fighting series continues with the epic struggle of warriors in search for the legendary Soul Swords. SOULCALIBUR V brings the best in battles, movement, and visual effects so players can pull off cool, dynamic attacks with ease and battle with complete freedom. Choose from a roster of over two dozen characters including the master assassin – Ezio Auditore, from the critically acclaimed Assassin’s Creed® series, or create your personalized fighter. Challenge the computer AI, compete against your friends or challenge fighters from around the world.

The SOULCALIBUR™ series continues to be one of NAMCO BANDAI Games’ most revered franchises. SOULCALIBUR V has been set to advance the series’ legacy of white-knuckled weapons-based combat, beautiful graphics and groundbreaking features, entrancing newcomers and long-time fans alike.

Developed by the legendary Project Soul team, SOULCALIBUR V picks up 17 years after the events of SOULCALIBURIV with new heroes and returning warriors clashing in an epic showdown between good and evil. The tale of Patroklos, son of Sophitia Alexandra, unfolds as his family’s destiny intertwines with the Soul swords. With the series’ revolutionary 8-way run, allowing for true 3D movement during matches, a refined battle system, and stunning graphics, SOULCALIBUR V will be available for download to anyone looking for a knock-down, drag-out fight.

For more information on SOULCALIBUR V, please visit: http://www.namcobandaigames.eu

 
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WD® Simplifies File Backup, Now Featuring Dropbox Integration

Sydney, Australia, 23 April, 2013 – WD®, a Western Digital company, and a world leader in storage solutions for the connected life, today unveiled WD SmartWare™ Pro, an easy-to-use software tool that gives customers the power to back up their files to any USB external hard drive or the cloud using their personal Dropbox1. Additionally, in the event that a file is deleted, lost, or a previous version of a file is needed, WD SmartWare Pro makes it easy to quickly restore and retrieve backed-up data.

WD SmartWare Pro is simple to set up with an intuitive installation interface that lets customers get up and running in just a few simple clicks. Once the software is setup and the drives are connected, WD SmartWare Pro visually presents customers’ files and folders in a control center where they can manage multiple external hard drives and their Dropbox account. WD SmartWare Pro is compatible with WD products such as My Passport® and WD Elements™ portable hard drives, as well as external USB drives from other manufacturers. Additionally, WD SmartWare Pro works seamlessly with WD network attached storage drives such as My Book® Live™ .

The software has two easy-to-use backup settings, allowing customers to set up their preferred file backup process. The “continuous backup” setting sets up an automatic, continuous backup that works quietly in the background so that whenever a customer adds or changes a file it is instantly backed up on the external drive. The “scheduled backup” setting allows customers to set up a regular pre-programmed backup schedule, including an hourly, daily or monthly setting for easy backup to their external drive or Dropbox. With WD SmartWare Pro customers can also back up files located in their Dropbox to an external hard drive.

File restoration and retrieval is quick and easy with WD SmartWare Pro. If customers accidentally delete an important file or need to get an earlier version of a file, WD SmartWare Pro helps customers retrieve the file in seconds with the easy-to-use “retrieve interface” and the software can be configured to save up to 25 older versions of a file. Customers can navigate the retrieve interface to restore all the backed up files or select a particular file or folder to restore.
“The growth of digital content has continued to increase exponentially and our goal is to provide a simple and comprehensive way to ensure peace of mind that all of our content is safely backed up,” said Jody Bradshaw, General Manager of WD’s consumer storage solutions. “WD SmartWare Pro not only accomplishes secure backup of important photos, videos and files, but ultimately makes it easier to preserve precious digital memories.”

Price and Availability
WD SmartWare Pro is currently available as a free 30-day trial at the WD Store. After the 30-day trial a standard license, valid for use with up to three computers, is available or a special promotional price of AU$21.99 incl. GST. A premium license, valid for use with up to ten computers, is available for a special promotional price of AU$42.99 incl. GST. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is $31.99 incl. GST for the standard license and AU$53.99 incl. GST for the premium license.

About WD
WD, a Western Digital company, is a long-time innovator and storage industry leader. As a storage technology pacesetter, the company produces reliable, high-performance hard disk drives and solid state drives. These drives are deployed by OEMs and integrators in desktop and mobile computers, enterprise computing systems, embedded systems and consumer electronics applications, as well as by the company in providing its own storage products. WD’s leading storage devices and systems, networking products, media players and software solutions empower people around the world to easily save, store, protect, share and experience their content on multiple devices. WD was established in 1970 and is headquartered in Irvine, California. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.wd.com. Western Digital Corp. (NASDAQ: WDC), Irvine, Calif., is a global provider of products and services that empower people to create, manage, experience and preserve digital content. Its companies design and manufacture storage devices, networking equipment and home entertainment products under the WD, HGST and G-Technology brands. Visit the Investor section of the company’s website (www.westerndigital.com) to access a variety of financial and investor information.

 
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AVG Technologies Brings Family Safety to Windows Phone 8 Devices

SYDNEY – 23 April 2013 – AVG Technologies AU has today announced that the free AVG Family Safety mobile application is now available for Microsoft  Windows® Phone 8 devices.

Aimed at protecting children while they surf the web on mobile devices, AVG Family Safety is a free, secure, mobile web browser, previously only available for Apple devices and Windows Phone 7.5. Adding to the existing built-in mobile security already provided by Microsoft, the application uses data from AVG’s Linkscanner® technology to block websites that are known to be malicious, and its own filters will also prevent visits to any sites that are deemed to contain mature and inappropriate content such as anything relating to violence, drugs or pornography.

The latest version of AVG Family Safety is ideally suited for use in the Windows Phone 8 Kid’s Corner. This newly introduced feature allows parents to set up an area on their smartphones where children can play with pre-added games, apps, music and videos, but can’t access the content or applications on the rest of the device. Adding AVG Family Safety as the default browser on this section is an easy and great way for parents to open up the Internet to their children but within a safe environment.

Michael McKinnon, Security Advisor at AVG Technologies AU, said: “Parents today know only too well the fascination that smartphones hold for children. I am sure that we’ve all been guilty in the past of handing over our device, with our only concern being about its safety rather than the safety of our children using it. But are we stopping to consider the type of content we could be exposing our children to? As our previous research has shown, the digital literacy of children nowadays is astounding so while it is absolutely important to nurture this, and allow our children to experience the online world, it has to be in a controlled way. AVG Family Safety gives parents that peace of mind.”

As part of its Digital Diaries research series, AVG discovered that more than twice the number of children aged 2-5 years could play with a smartphone application (26 per cent) versus tying their shoelaces (11 per cent). The research, entitled Digital Skills, also showed that more children can open a web browser (29 per cent) than swim unaided (17 per cent).

To download the AVG Family Safety for Windows Phone 8 application, please visit here.

 
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All-New Adventure Awaits Players in STAR TREK: THE VIDEO GAME

A brand-new Star Trek story awaits players of STAR TREK: THE VIDEO GAME, which is available on Tuesday, April 23, for the Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC.  Written by BAFTA-award-winning writer Marianne Krawczyk, it whisks players into the heart of an adventure that takes place in the time between 2009’s blockbuster film Star Trek and the upcoming Star Trek: Into Darkness.

In a new video feature released today by Paramount Pictures, STAR TREK: THE VIDEO GAME executive producer Brian Miller delves deeper into this rich, exciting story and examines the plot that awaits players.

You can find this new video feature here at http://youtu.be/5aQD7C93Cao

 
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PlayStation® legends Jak and Daxter set to leap heroically onto PlayStation®Vita for the very first time

Join the fearless warrior and his sassy sidekick on three of their greatest adventures – Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy™, Jak II™: Renegade and Jak 3™ – in one baddie-bashing bundle.

SYDNEY, 22nd April 2013: Sony Computer Entertainment Australia (SCE Aust.) are pleased to confirm that the Jak and Daxter™ franchise that has enjoyed massive success on PlayStation®2  (PS2) and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) is coming to PlayStation®Vita (PS Vita™) for the first time this June.

Developed by Naughty Dog, creators of Crash Bandicoot and the Uncharted series, working in conjunction with  Mass Media Games, The Jak and Daxter™ Trilogy sees all three of the classic Jak and Daxter games, Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy™, Jak II™: Renegade and Jak 3™ re-mastered for the PS Vita.

The power of the PS Vita allows The Jak and Daxter Trilogy to feature authentically reproduced graphics from the original games. Long-time fans of the franchise will feel instantly at home in the game world and new players will get to experience the world of Jak and Daxter for the first time via the new touch based applications of certain mini games throughout the collection.  Holding these games in the palm of your hand has never been more exciting and responsive.

In the never ending pursuit of dastardly villains and to save innocent townsfolk from the forces of darkness, fans of the dynamic duo will be able to explore the vibrant worlds packed with wacky characters, blistering action and madcap comedy and crack challenging mini-games on their PS Vita using the intuitive controls such as front and rear touch screen.

These three classic titles will be available together in June 2013 at the fantastic price of AUD$39.95.

 
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[New Video] New Infinite Crisis Champion Revealed

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Entertainment today announced that Zatanna is the latest Champion to join Infinite Crisis, the all-new multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game developed by Turbine, the award winning studio behind free-to-play online games including The Lord of the Rings Online™. A stage magician with impressive magical powers, Zatanna makes intelligent use of spells to help allies or fight opponents in her crusade against mystic threats.

Infinite Crisis is a new entrant into the wildly popular MOBA genre that delivers a heart-pounding competitive player vs. player battle experience set in the legendary DC Multiverse – a world in which familiar DC Comics characters have been reimagined in startling ways.  Featuring a wide variety of DC Comics heroes and villains, Infinite Crisis puts players in control of twisted incarnations of their favourite characters throughout the Multiverse such as Nightmare Batman and Gaslight Catwoman, playing in league with well-known characters including Green Lantern and The Flash.  Infinite Crisis is a free-to-play game that features a deep roster of DC Comics characters and is scheduled for release in Spring 2013 for the PC.

For more information or to sign up for a chance to participate in the beta visit http://www.playinfinitecrisis.com.