Targeted Line-up Includes Call of Duty®: Ghosts, Destiny™ and Skylanders SWAP Force™ 

Australia – 10 June, 2013 – Activision Publishing, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI), is ushering in the next-generation of gaming at the 2013 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3 Expo) taking place at the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 11 – 13, 2013 with a blockbuster lineup that features some of the industry’s biggest franchises.  On display at Activision’s booth #647 in the South Hall, the company’s slate includes Call of Duty®: Ghosts, Destiny™ and Skylanders SWAP Force™.   

“This is obviously a big year – not just for Activision, but for the entire industry,” said Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing.  “There’s a console transition coming and naturally, everyone wants to see what new possibilities that will unleash in the games.  We remain laser focused on delivering the things we know our gamers care about most: great gameplay, immersive worlds, and cool innovations.  And that’s what our amazing lineup at E3 this year will deliver.”

Activision’s E3 Slate Includes:

Call of Duty: Ghosts – Developed by Infinity Ward, the studio that created the original Call of Duty® and the critically-acclaimed Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® series, Call of Duty: Ghosts is the next generation of Call of Duty and a stunning leap forward for the franchise.  The game delivers an all-new world, setting and cast of characters, all powered by a new, next-generation engine. For the first time, gamers play as the underdog, fighting as part of a single squad against an enemy that has superior numbers and firepower.  Call of Duty: Ghosts’ next-gen engine delivers gameplay innovations throughout the entire game, including several new multiplayer features that will be unveiled in the coming months. The game is expected to release on 5 November, 2013 for the Xbox 360® games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and Windows® PC.  (Developed for Xbox One®, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, Xbox 360, PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®3 system and Windows PC; not yet rated by the ACB.)

Destiny – Activision in partnership with Bungie, the creators of Halo®, will showcase Destiny, the next evolution in interactive entertainment that brings first-person action gamers together in a shared, persistent online world filled with sweeping adventures.  Destiny casts players as Guardians of the last city on Earth, who will traverse the ancient ruins of our solar system from the red dunes of Mars to the lush jungles of Venus.  Able to wield incredible power, gamers must battle humanity’s enemies and reclaim all that was lost during the collapse of mankind’s Golden Age.  In a story-driven universe, Destiny’s saga unfolds through grand tales and epic adventures by immersing players in a bold new universe filled with cooperative, competitive, public, and social activities, all seamlessly connected.  (Developed for the PlayStation 4 system, PlayStation 3 system, Xbox One and Xbox 360; not yet rated by the ACB.)

Skylanders SWAP Force – Activision’s Skylanders SWAP Force continues to build upon the success of the award-winning franchise’s signature gameplay and collectible toy experience with the introduction of an innovative feature – dynamic swapability.  Kids and gamers will have unprecedented levels of choice in how they explore Skylands and battle Kaos by swapping the top and bottom halves of the toys to transform 16 SWAP Force^TM characters into more than 250 unique combinations. Set in a richly detailed world of next generation visual fidelity, Skylanders SWAP Force takes kids on an all-new adventure with 32 never-before-seen heroic characters that each offer unique powers and personalities.  The game also features new abilities – such as flying, climbing, and teleporting – which can be used in special areas of Skylands.  Additionally, fans can play with their entire collection of 100+, forward-compatible toys from both Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure^® and Skylanders Giants™.  Skylanders SWAP Force is set to release in North America on October 13, Australia on October 16 and Europe on October 18.  Fans can pre-order Skylanders SWAP Force Starter Packs worldwide beginning on 7 June; all games pre-ordered at participating retailers worldwide also will come with a free Skylanders toy. Developed by Vicarious Visions for the PlayStation 4 system, PlayStation 3 system, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and the Wii U™ system from Nintendo; the Wii™ from Nintendo version is in development by Beenox; the portable Nintendo 3DS™ version is in development by n-Space; not yet rated by the ACB.

Acclaimed Kojima Productions/PlatinumGames epic heads to Windows PC soon

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH is to release a digital download version of the stunning METAL GEAR RISING: EVENGEANCE for Windows PC.

Developed by Kojima Productions and PlatinumGames, METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE takes the renowned METAL GEAR franchise into exciting new territory with an action experience unlike anything seen before. The game brings together two of the world’s most respected development forces, and unites them with a goal of producing a fresh experience that combines the best elements of pure action with epic story-telling set within the expansive METAL GEAR universe.

METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE introduces Raiden as its central character. Raiden is a former child soldier transformed into a cybernetically enhanced killing machine, fuelled by revenge, and equipped with a high-frequency katana blade that can cut through anything. The game combines famed elements from the METAL GEAR series with all-new aspects, including:

• The latest      METAL GEAR experience: Featuring an all-new style of frenetic      action gameplay and central character: Raiden, a cyborg ninja who uses his      high-frequency blade to cut through anything that stands in his path!
• A new      experience: Uniting development powerhouses Kojima Productions      and PlatinumGames, METAL GEAR RISING:      REVENGEANCE offers fast and fluid gaming centered on katana-based      combat within the METAL GEAR universe.
• Advanced      technology: The in-game technology will push the boundaries of      graphics, style and lightning-speed action at a blistering 60fps on most      modern PCs
• ZanDatsu      Cut Mechanic: Take advantage of “an all-encompassing      cutting plane in real time”. Cut what you want, when you want, how you      want.

 Dracula and Satan duke it out as KONAMI showcases stunning addition to Castlevania series

Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH today unveiled a new trailer for the eagerly awaited Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 title.

The new game is set for a Winter release, and will be available for PlayStation®3, Xbox 360® and Windows PC. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 picks up where the first game left off, with a resurrected Dracula left weakened by his ordeal, and yearning for release from his immortal bonds. Besieged from all sides, Dracula is also threatened by Satan, who has returned to walk the Earth in a quest to bring about the apocalypse as an act of final revenge for his defeat.

Thus, the weakened Dracula must regain his lost powers in order to make a pact with Death to defeat the Devil and gain eternal rest. However, the famed Belmont clan are also intent on slaying the Vampire, and unlocking the truth behind their mysterious ancestry. Thus, the fight between good and evil comes to a dramatic close, as Dracula faces his nemesis in Satan, and the Belmonts’ unyielding quest for revenge. 

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2’s highly anticipated blend of action and adventure will also be playable for the first time at the KONAMI booth (#2401, South Hall) at E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo). Set in a modern day world, fans of the series will play as Dracula for the very first time and sample a key part of the shocking conclusion to the Lords of Shadow saga. The new trailer can be viewed by visiting http://events.konami.com.

Legendary action-RPG series coming to PlayStation^™ 3 and Xbox 360^®

Reserve your copy now to receive exclusive in-game Infernal Helm; select retailers offering additional preorder bonuses 

IRVINE, Calif.—June 6, 2013—A new legion of heroes will soon rise up and take a stand against the Lord of Terror. On September 3, Diablo^® III will make its console debut on the Sony PlayStation^™ 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360^® in the U.S., Canada, Spanish-speaking Latin America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

In preparation for the upcoming launch, select retailers in these regions are now taking preorders for the PS3^™ and Xbox 360 versions of the game, which will be available at a suggested retail price of $89.95 AUD. Both console versions of Diablo III will be fully localized in English, German, French, Latin American Spanish, European Spanish, Russian, Italian, Polish, and Brazilian Portuguese. Further release details, including retail availability in Brazil, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia, will be announced at a later date.

The console versions of Diablo III have been custom-tailored for gamepad-driven action, with a dynamic camera perspective that puts your hero front and center, as well as an all-new user interface and an intuitive control system that make vanquishing evil feel like second nature. Players can take on the vile denizens of the Burning Hells alone or in a party of up to four via same-screen local cooperative play or online over PlayStation Network^™ or Xbox LIVE^®. In addition, the game supports parties composed of both local and online players. Once gamers experience the rush of Diablo III’s unique brand of hack-and-slash gameplay from the comfort of their couch, Sanctuary will never be the same.

Players who preorder either console version of Diablo III will receive an exclusive in-game item: the Infernal Helm, which grants an experience point boost to any character who wears it, accelerating their progression as they rise in power. Certain retailers will also offer limited-edition preorder bonuses—check with your local retailer for further information.

“Playing Diablo III on a big screen with your friends brings a whole new level of intensity to the game, and with all of the control and interface adaptations we’ve made, it’s extremely fun to play on PS3^™ and Xbox 360,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “In addition to the fine-tuning we’ve done for the console versions, we’re also including major content and design updates we’ve made to the PC version over the past year, so players can expect an epic Diablo gaming experience when the PS3^™ and Xbox 360 versions launch in September.”