Incredible new role-playing game heads to new Sony portable system 

SYDNEY, 28 November 2011: Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH has announced a new role playing title entitled New Little King’s Story for Sony’s forthcoming PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system. The game, a sprawling role-playing epic, will be released in 2012.

Set in a beautifully-realised game world, New Little King’s Story follows the player as they assume the role of a King tasked with reclaiming his kingdom from an invader known only as ‘The Nightmare.’ King Corobo, a plucky 14-year-old royal, presides over a stricken land. The evil Nightmare is running havoc and the populace lives in fear as it preys on them. Thus, as Corobo, the user must unite their subjects in order to fight back and reclaim the kingdom.

New Little King’s Story takes the form of a roaming role-playing title, with the player recruiting the isolated pockets of subjects into a unified army. The game allows the user to move freely around the scrolling player in the search for recruits and for items that will aid the quest. The touch-screen of the PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system allows the player to control and arrange recruits and send them into battle or to search areas with simple finger movements, with groups of subjects easily marshaled and moved.

The world of New Little King’s Story is packed with rounded characters, all of whom will play a vital part in overthrowing the Nightmare. Advisors and warriors will offer specific skills and attributes, adding skills to the growing army and enhancing their abilities. Similarly, the game map enjoys an incredible level of detail. Similarly, the passing of time is shown as day turns to night – with the subjects needing rest after their exertions, and the game world changing as Corobo’s army grows, confidence returns to the land, and the subjects return to their normal routines as the tide turns against the Nightmare.

Sydney, Australia – NIS America has announced that Hyperdimension Neptunia Mk2 for the PlayStation®3 Computer Entertainment System will be shipped out in March 2012 for Australia & New Zealand. Hyperdimension Neptunia Mk2 is the sequel to the popular RPG Hyperdimension Neptunia, in which you control personifications (humanoids) of videogame consoles with the objective of protecting the world of Gamindustri. In Hyperdimension Neptunia Mk2, the four heroines are the younger sisters of the CPUs (Console Patron Units) from Hyperdimension Neptunia. Once again, fans can indulge in the mysteries and adventures found within Gamindustri!

About Hyperdimension Neptunia Mk2:

Return once more to the world of Gamindustri, where the Criminal of the Free World, Arfoire, has defeated the four CPUs of Gamindustri. It is now up to their younger sisters to free them from captivity.

Nepgear, the CPU Candidate of Planeptune and younger sister to Neptune, sets out on her quest with IF and Compa to regain Gamindustri’s prosperity, stop the syndicate of evil that Arfoire created, and set her sister free! During her travels across the world, Nepgear will encounter friends new and old, meet the other CPU Candidates, and take care of any monsters that stand in her way in this classic JRPG tale of good versus evil! 

Features

• All-new free-roaming style battle system offers more strategic combat.
• Streamlined combo system that allows faster combo executions.
• New item synthesis system to craft items and weapons.
• A Coliseum to test your might and face powerful opponents.

Hyperdimension Neptunia Mk2 will be available in March 2012, exclusively for the PlayStation 3.

Haarlem, The Netherlands – 23 November 2011 – Publisher Iceberg Interactive in conjunction with GamersFirst have revealed the European packshot of the Special Edition retail version of the upcoming blockbuster APB Reloaded. The highly anticipated MMO is set for retail release in the UK, Benelux and Nordic Territories on the 10th of February 2012 (and the 17th in Germany). 

Game information

APB Reloaded is a Free2Play massively multiplayer online third-person shooter game, taking place in the modern-day fictional city of San Paro. This open-world environment challenges players to find their way through a city in a state of near anarchy. Players can take up the role of either a Criminal or Enforcer to commit or stop petty crimes and gain notoriety within their own organizations in order to control the city. Be it on foot or from the driver’s seat, APB Reloaded melds player-on-player combat within the immersive city teetering on the edge of total chaos. Powered by Epic’s Unreal 3 engine, APB Reloaded features a robust set of customization tools second to none, providing gamers the ability to create the exact look of their in-game avatar, personalized symbols, clothing, vehicles and in-game music.

Special Boxed Edition contents

The boxed Special Edition retail version of APB Reloaded that will be released by Iceberg Interactive in Europe, will include more than € 35 worth of in-game items, including a permanent in-game high-performance vehicle, a permanent in-game weapon and 30 days of premium access that provides increased cash rewards, reputation gains and a 20 percent in-store discount.

 Key Game Features

•    Fun and engaging online action in a highly detailed interactive city
•    Revolutionary customization system – players create their own avatars, music and vehicles, and can modify them extensively
•    Unique game play mechanics with each “action district” supporting two rival factions, 100 players in 25 teams, 250 cars and 1,000 NPCs
•    Each game world handles 10,000 players

APB Online Facts

APB Reloaded is currently in open beta and has already attracted more than 700,000 online players in less than three months of testing and nearly 300,000 “Likes” on Facebook.  To get up-to-date information on GamersFirst and APB Reloaded’s Community and Fan Pages, check out the following links:

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/APBReloaded
Development Blog – http://apbreloaded.blogspot.com
Website – http://www.gamersfirst.com/apb/     
Twitter – @APB_Reloaded @GamersFirst
Iceberg page – www.iceberg-interactive.com

First Racing Game Ever for the Multi-Million Unit Selling Franchise

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – 25th November 2011 – D3Publisher (D3P), a publisher and developer of interactive entertainment software, and Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) today announced BEN 10 Galactic Racing is now available across EMEA and Australasia on the Nintendo DS™ system, Wii™ system from Nintendo, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. BEN 10 Galactic Racing will also be available on the Nintendo 3DS™ system early 2012. The game is also currently under development for the PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system, planned for release in 2012, and will take advantage of many features the platform has to offer.

The first racing game in the multi-million unit selling BEN 10 franchise, BEN 10 Galactic Racing allows fans to enjoy a BEN 10 multiplayer experience like never before. Players will be able to compete in several epic races as some of their favorite characters from the BEN 10 series, including Ben, Kevin or one of 13 aliens. They’ll zoom through more than 25 exhilarating and challenging Grand Prix tracks in a race to the finish line!

Each character in BEN 10 Galactic Racing has special abilities they can use on the track, and Ben can transform into different aliens mid-race. In addition to the wide selection of Grand Prix tracks, players can choose from more than 30 karts, each with its own unique handling abilities.

BEN 10 Galactic Racing lets players use offensive and defensive attacks themed to each character’s abilities as well as unique Omni-Node Pick-Ups, including a special Ultimate power that unleashes a super-charged, race-changing boost of speed, for those who fall too far behind. Players can race with or against friends in any of the various game modes where up to four players can compete on the same screen at one time. These modes also allow players to win Galactic Grand Prix trophies from each of the circuits or race their favorite tracks in an attempt to set record-breaking times in Time Trials mode.

BEN 10 Galactic Racing introduces the character Fasttrack, one of Ben’s new aliens making his video game debut on Xbox 360, the Wii™ system from Nintendo, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and the Nintendo 3DS™. Nintendo DS™ players can play as Diamondhead, another popular alien hero from the series, who uses one of his mighty fists to shoot shards to block other racers!

BEN 10 Galactic Racing for Nintendo DS™ is developed by Tantalus. All other versions are developed by Monkey Bar Games. For more information on BEN 10 Galactic Racing, please visit: http://www.namcobandaigames.eu

SYDNEY, Australia. – November 25, 2011 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that EA SPORTS™ has signed the world’s top footballer, Barcelona and Argentina superstar Lionel Messi, to a multi-year endorsement contract that will see him become the global face of the EA SPORTS FIFA franchise. The biggest transfer deal this football season sees the FIFA Ballon d’Or 2010 winner transfer to EA SPORTS and make his debut in March, 2012 on the cover of FIFA Street.

“Our FIFA franchise is the number one selling sports videogame franchise in the world, and Lionel Messi is the number one player in the world, so this agreement is a true partnership of superstars,” said Matt Bilbey, Vice President and GM of Football, EA SPORTS. “With Messi on our team we have the world’s best and most exciting player to help EA SPORTS maintain its global leadership in the years ahead.”

“I want to be part of the team behind the best sports football game in the world and be associated with the great EA SPORTS name,” said Messi. “EA SPORTS is a brand that shares my values of creativity, excellence and social responsibility.”

Playing for FC Barcelona, Messi received the prestigious FIFA Ballon d’Or 2010 award as the top footballer in the world, was UEFA Champions League Top Goal Scorer the past three years, is the three-time La Liga Player of the Year, and has made the shortlist for the 2011 FIFA Ballon d’Or. At just 24, Messi has scored over 200 goals in all competitions and currently sits second in the rankings of Barcelona’s all-time leading goal scorers. He has scored 27 goals and 14 assists in 29 games this season in all competitions.

The multi-faceted partnership will see Messi become an EA SPORTS Football Ambassador. He will become the cornerstone of marketing and advertising campaigns, featured on packaging, and utilized in social media activities around the world for the critically acclaimed FIFA franchise. EA SPORTS will also team up with the Leo Messi Foundation to support social, educational and health care related initiatives for children around the world.

The EA SPORTS FIFA series, now in its 19^th year, sold a record-breaking 3.2 million copies of FIFA 12 in the first five days after launching to become the biggest launch in the history of sports videogames.

EA SPORTS is one of the leading sports entertainment brands in the world, with top-selling videogame franchises, award-winning interactive technology, global videogame competitions and breakthrough digital experiences. EA SPORTS delivers personal access to the emotion of sports through industry-leading sports simulation videogames, including Madden NFL football, FIFA Soccer, NHL® hockey, NBA JAM basketball, NCAA® Football, Fight Night boxing, EA SPORTS MMA, Tiger Woods PGA TOUR® golf , and EA SPORTS Active. For more information about EA SPORTS, including news, video, blogs, forums and game apps, please visit www.easports.com to connect, share and compete.

They are a mix of games for young and old and will sit well under any gamers’ tree. If you’re looking for party fun on Christmas day, consider Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Plus don’t discount the fun of most of the dance games coming out including Just Dance 3 that was released in October. Gamers have been spoilt for choice in the last quarter of 2011, with some of the best games seen yet to hit our consoles. Here’s a small sample, but Gametraders recommends asking your gaming retailer for advice on what games suit your friends and family.  

1. Modern Warfare 3 – a must have for anyone who combat based first person shooters. This is probably going to be the biggest selling game of 2011. Available on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 and Wii with a separate version for the Nintendo DS. Rated M – Violence.
2. Battlefield 3 – while gamers are sometimes split into two camps – Battlefield versus Modern Warfare, the truth is both games are amazing fun. Both feature a great single player adventure and excellent online gaming. Available on PC (Vista edition and later) , PS3 and Xbox 360. Rated MA 15+ Strong War Violence and Coarse Language.
3. Elder Scrolls V : Skyrim – is the role playing game of 2011. This is an action/role playing game that revolves around the players efforts to defeat the Nordic Dragon god Alduin. Amazing graphics and in-depth game play makes Skyrim a must for those who love adventure role playing. on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360. Rate MA 15+ for Strong Themes and Violence.
4. Assassins Creed: Revelations – This is another role playing game where the player takes on the role of Ezio for most of the game and will experience an amazingly detailed world. Wandering along the country side, towns and cities and interacting with game characters all contributes to an immersive gaming experience that is one of the most enjoyable of 2011. Rated MA 15+ for strong violence.
5. Gears of War 3 on Xbox 360. Amazing graphics and gamelay but only for adults as there is animate violence. This one has a great storyline, multiplayer fun and has intense third-person shooting action. Rated MA 15+ for Strong violence, blood and gore and coarse language.
6. Batman: Arkham City on 360, PS3  and PC. This is one super hero game that works well as a game. Amazing game play and graphics with some fun use of Batman’s weapons. Rate M – Violence
7. Need for Speed The Run sees the player racing across the borders being chased by the police and a criminal organisation. So what’s a player to do? Get in the car and drive – fast. Rated PG for Mild Themes and Violence.
8. Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Only on Wii, from the amazing opening ceremony right through to the fun events, Nintendo have once again proven themselves the masters of this genre of gaming. Multiplayer fun sees you competing against friends and family making this the ideal Christmas Day game session. Suggested not to be played after too many celebration drinks as you will need your co-ordination to handle the Wii’s remote. Rated G and lots of fun.
9. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword – only on Wii. This is a must have game that has got top ratings across many gaming review sites and press. It’s a stunning game with beautiful visuals and the best sword play on any system yet. Get it. Rated M for Fantasy violence.
10. Super Mario 3D Land on DS. Perhaps more then any other release, this title really shows the power of the 3DS and the fun you can have guiding Mario around in a 3D world. It’s a platform game that features all the fun of Mario gaming. The 3D let’s the player jump more accurately, judge distances and depth and give new abilities to help get you through each level. If you have a 3DS you need this game. Rated G.

Sydney, Australia – November 24, 2011 – QVS announces the release of City Interactive’s upcoming highflying Combat Wings: The Great Battles of World War II” 

Arriving Q1 2012, Combat Wings: The Great Battles of World War II will be available on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC in Australia and New Zealand. Gamers will have the opportunity to pilot the most famous combat planes of the World War II and experience Arial Arcade Authenticity like never before. 

Piloting a wide range of aircraft, players engage in aerial dog fights and dangerous fighter missions across the major theaters of war during WWII.  Featuring realistic aircraft, Combat Wings: The Great Battles of WWII introduces cutting-edge flight dynamics with unprecedented arcade accessibility.

Sydney, Australia – November 24, 2011 – QVS, City Interactive’s exclusive distributor in Australia and New Zealand, has announced that Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2, the highly anticipated follow up of the top-selling shooter Sniper: Ghost Warrior is scheduled to launch worldwide Q1, 2012 on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. 

“We are very happy to be partnering with City Interactive as their exclusive distributor of Sniper Ghost Warrior 2 in ANZ“, said Paul Elliot – Managing Director, QV Software. “The excitement around the title is well warranted and we cannot wait to deliver it to gamers around the region.” 

“Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 is one of our biggest releases for 2012 and the sequel to our best selling Sniper: Ghost Warrior title. With more than 1.7M units sold and still growing we are sure to bring Sniper 2 to the next level”, said Martin Kwasnica, International Sales Director, City Interactive. 

Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 takes the bulls-eye precision of its best-selling predecessor to new and exciting heights. Powered by the legendary CryENGINE 3 engine, the missions of Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 are graphically stunning and more challenging as you once again step into the ghilliesuit of a special ops sniper to take down the enemy.

Sydney, AUSTRALIA – NIS America is excited to announce that Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland will hit local shores in Winter 2012 for the PlayStation 3!

Atelier Meruru is the latest installation in the fan-favorite Atelier series. Atelier Meruru follows the story of spunky Princess Meruru, who finds herself entranced by alchemy and vows to become Totori Helmold’s apprentice. With new and updated game systems and returning characters from Atelier Rorona and Atelier Totori, Atelier Meruru will once again capture the hearts and minds of all the Atelier fans out there.

About Atelier Meruru:
The tiny kingdom of Arls, located on the northeastern border of the Arland Republic, is where Princess Meruru calls home. Ever since she was exposed to alchemy by famed adventurer Totori Helmold, all she could think about was becoming an alchemist. With Totori’s guidance, Meruru sets out to develop her home kingdom of Arls using the power of alchemy. On her way, Meruru will encounter new adventures, obstacles, mysteries, and friends, and discover what life is like outside the castle walls. How you choose to guide her through the advancement of her land will determine the final outcome in the tale of Atelier Meruru.

Game Features
– New “Development” system: develop new areas and facilities in Arls to gain access to even more lands to explore!
– Developing new areas and facilities will change the appearance of the in-game world! How you develop the kingdom will alter the outcome of the story.
– Classic turn-based battles feature a Time Card turn system, making the battles even more strategic!
– Master item synthesis with the help of the ever-popular Homs!
– Fan-favorite characters from previous Atelier games return with more stories and mysteries to uncover!