The Wildcats are back in the third and fabulous High School Musical instalment, with the release of High School Musical 3: Senior Year – Extended Edition, available on Disney DVD from 8 April 2009!

Watch never-before-seen footage in this extended edition, only available on Disney DVD, as Troy (Zac Efron), Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens), Sharpay (Ashley Tisdale), Chad (Corbin Bleu) and the gang are joined by a new crop of Wildcats as they prepare to graduate from high school.

The first High School Musical film to be released in theatres (High School Musical 1 and 2 were Disney Channel original movies), High School Musical 3: Senior Year follows the group in the final stages of their ‘junior’ days. The gang, having experienced so much, must prepare and face being ready to move on from East High School and into their college years.

To celebrate the final few weeks of being together before they graduate, our East High friends do what they love to do best, stage a high school musical!

With incredibly catchy all-new song and dance numbers, Troy and Gabriella dance their way through the final basketball game of the season, senior prom and of course graduation.

The extended edition, with never-before-seen footage, is only available on Disney DVD. High School Musical 3: Senior Year – Extended Edition is a must-have Disney DVD for the entire family to enjoy, for all High School Musical fans and as a great gift this Easter!

High School Musical 3: Senior Year Extended Edition will also be available in a 2-Disc Blu-ray and DVD release.

FUEL up – the largest multi-terrain racing environment is coming to consoles and PC, Q2 2009. CGI trailer video now available from www.fuel-game.com

– Wednesday 21st January– Set to get gamers pumped this Autumn, Codemasters® today released the CGI trailer for FUEL™, Asobo Studios’ epic-scale open-terrain multi-vehicle racer. Showcasing FUEL’s stunning environments and created using in-game models and vehicle handling physics, the CGI video is now available to view and download from www.fuel-game.com.

The video introduces FUEL’s immense landscape and astonishing no-boundaries playfield that, at 5,000 square miles (14,000+ km²) in size, delivers the world’s largest racing environment. With ultra-competitive races at break-neck speed and huge jumps, the trailer’s dramatic race captures the spirit of FUEL perfectly. The video also previews the game’s extreme weather effects, including violent twisters that tear across the landscape.

FUEL is set in an alternate present where the catastrophic affects of global warming have driven the population from great swathes of the United States. Now, these ravaged wastelands play host to a new breed of racers as they compete in heart-pounding, no-holds-barred races. Bringing the vast, varied and open-ended landscape to life is a full day and night cycle and a dynamic weather system. Snow, rain, destructive tornados, sandstorms, thunderstorms, lightning strikes, and blizzards – players will need to react quickly and adapt racing strategies in the blink of an eye to cope with everything the world of FUEL throws at them.
 
It’s every man for himself as these adrenaline junkies to go head to head with each other and Mother Nature in this beautiful, yet perilous, environment. Trucks, buggies, quads, muscle cars, scramble bikes, road bikes and more participate in hundreds of on and off-road events across the game world’s 100,000 miles of tarmac, tracks and trails.

Complete with the ability to explore this massive world in free-roam, or go online and compete in hundreds of multiplayer challenges, FUEL is coming Q2 2009 for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft® and Games For Windows® LIVE. To fill up with FUEL and download the trailer video, visit www.fuel-game.com.

VIEW: http://uplay.uk.ubi.com/videos/2kb5r7p0-tenchu-shadow-assassins-trailer-rikimaru-is-a-to.htm

DOWNLOAD: http://static2.cdn.ubi.com/emea/videos/download/all/Tenchu4_RikimaruKilling_pegi_Download_720p.zip

OFFICIAL SITE: http://www.tenchu4game.com

http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pressreleases/200901/012009RTMP.html

SYDNEY 20 January 2009 – In Australia alone, the Xbox 360, Microsoft’s high-definition gaming console, has driven more than 4.2 million downloads and 24 million hours on the Xbox LIVE social entertainment network during 2008. 

With local sales reaching half a million consoles prior to Christmas, Australians are jumping on to the robust and proven online component of Xbox to connect with family and friends across town or around the world through messaging, chat, shared photos, video, music and game play.

Downloads include games, songs, demos, upgrades, exclusive content and trailers, to name a few.  Worldwide over 28 million Xbox 360 consoles have been sold and over 17 million people are connected to Xbox LIVE.  In Australia, this has been a ground-breaking year for the platform with more than 50 per cent of Xbox 360 owners connecting online. 

Kimberley Francis, Xbox Marketing Director said, “We expect people to continue to stay at home more in tough times.  People seem to be pulling back on some luxuries but spending more on goods that make the home a more enjoyable place. Australians really get the online component that sets the Xbox console apart and enables a richer, more connected experience.”

Starting at a recommended retail price of $299 AUD, Xbox 360 is the lowest-priced product of its kind with the most games available. “2008 is the year we’ve really been able to open up our market and reach beyond early adopters.  There’s fun for everyone, added Ms. Francis. “Our current favourite is the new singing game Lips®, which takes karaoke to a whole new level.”

Local facts*

·         500,000 Xbox 360 consoles and 4 million Xbox 360 games sold at retail in Australia to date

·         More than 50 per cent of Aussie Xbox 360 owners are connected to Xbox LIVE

·         Australian Xbox LIVE membership increased by 88 per cent on 2007

·         There are over 17 million members on Xbox LIVE worldwide

·         Australians made 4.2 million downloads from Xbox LIVE in 2008

·         Aussies spent over 27 million hours on Xbox LIVE in 2008

·         Xbox 360 owners have an average of nearly 8 games for their console

·         63 per cent of the 500 games available for Xbox 360 are rated G or PG

·         46 per cent of Australian gamers are female**

Dawn of War II is the biggest thing set to hit PCs in the coming weeks, and there’s been no shortage of interest in the beta testing that’s opening up this week to fans of the series.

To help answer questions about the Dawn of War II beta and recent gold release announcement, a Q&A has just gone live on the Dawn of War II community site (http://community.dawnofwar2.com). The questions were fielded by producer Mark Noseworthy.

The direct link for this Q&A is: http://community.dawnofwar2.com/blogs/?p=471

– Tuesday January 20th – It is with great pride that Io Interactive unveils their latest videogame creation in a brand new game – MINI NINJAS™, due for release Spring 2009 on Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, PC Games for Windows and PlayStation 3.

Prepare yourself for a Ninja adventure like you have never seen before! Join Hiro, the smallest hero on the biggest adventure, as he embarks on an epic and electrifying quest to restore harmony to a world on the brink of chaos. Use your skills and mighty Ninja training to battle a magical army of evil Samurai. Harness the power of your Kuji magic and utilise the special skills of your Mini Ninja friends as you travel through a perilous world to reach the final confrontation with the Evil Samurai Warlord in his Fortress of Doom.

“Mini Ninjas represents a truly special game for us,” said Niels Jørgensen, General Manager of Io Interactive. “The whole team is very excited about it, because it is unique in so many ways. From the art style to the characters and the depth of the game – Mini Ninjas has that exceptional appeal, which is sure to keep both young and old very entertained.”

Atari Australia is the exclusive distributor for Eidos Interactive in the country.
Visit www.minininjas.com or www.atari.com.au for trailers, screenshots and information.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Jan. 20, 2009 — Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced the Adobe eLearning Suite, a content-authoring solution for learning professionals, educators and trainers. The suite will allow users to create rich learning experiences that can be delivered via the Internet and desktop. The eLearning Suite boosts productivity by integrating a major new version of Adobe Captivate®, enhanced eLearning versions of Adobe software including Adobe Flash® CS4 and Adobe Dreamweaver® CS4, and other Adobe Creative Suite® 4 applications.

The new features of the eLearning suite powered by Adobe Captivate® 4 allow users to do the following:

·         Create powerful scenario-based trainings, simulations and quizzes.

·         Use more than two dozen new features including text-to-speech conversion, in-line caption editing and a drawing toolbar for simple graphics.

·         Capture feedback from users and students regardless of operating system.

·         Add a customisable table of contents to classes or eLearning sessions that can be automatically updated.

·         Polish and edit sound recordings through Adobe Soundbooth® CS4.

Adobe eLearning Suite and Adobe Captivate 4 are immediately available through Adobe authorised resellers and the Adobe Store. Estimated street price for Adobe eLearning Suite is US$1799 and US$799 for Adobe Captivate 4. Upgrade and education pricing for both products is also available.

QUOTES:

“The new Adobe eLearning Suite is a unique and highly integrated set of tools designed to help professionals author, enrich, review and publish rich eLearning content all within one environment. By leveraging different applications and streamlined workflows, learning professionals can be truly innovative and reach learners in new ways anytime, anywhere and through any medium.”

Naresh Gupta, senior vice president of the Print and Publishing Business Unit at Adobe

“I’ve watched Adobe Captivate evolve into an eLearning development powerhouse. With the release of Adobe Captivate 4, Adobe has taken a great product to a new level. The overhauled PowerPoint import feature—that lets users seamlessly update slides in both Adobe Captivate and PowerPoint—alone makes this a slam-dunk purchase for ‘tire-kickers’ and a ‘must upgrade’ for existing users.”

Kevin A. Siegel, Founder & President, IconLogic, Inc., Riva, Md.

“With the Adobe eLearning Suite, Adobe didn’t just bundle products together for use in a specific discipline, it delivers a complete, integrated workflow for eLearning content creation and delivery. For example, now with Adobe Captivate, users have the ability to easily incorporate mobile-based content by taking advantage of Adobe Device Central CS4.”

Mark Fletcher, Training Manager, WebAssist, Encinitas, Ca.

“The Adobe eLearning Suite increases my productivity by nearly 80%. Having this combination of software together in one suite, with a similar interface, makes it easy to move from one application to the next to quickly create engaging eLearning content.”

Renaldo Lawrence, Advanced Skills Teacher, St. John the Baptist School, Kingfield, Woking, UK

LINKS:

Getting started guide – http://my.adobe.acrobat.com/gettingstartedwithels/

eLearning Suite eSeminar:  http://my.adobe.acrobat.com/introducingels/

Product Evangelist RJ Jacquez’s Blog – http://blogs.adobe.com/rjacquez

Adobe Introduces New eLearning Suite and Captivate 4 http://www.adobe.com/aboutadobe/pressroom/pressreleases/200901/012009AdobeELS.html

About Adobe Systems Incorporated

Adobe revolutionises how the world engages with ideas and information – anytime, anywhere and through any medium. For more information, visit www.adobe.com.

© 2009 Adobe Systems Incorporated. All rights reserved. Adobe, the Adobe logo, Adobe AIR, Adobe Captivate, Acrobat, Acrobat Connect, Dreamweaver, Flash, Photoshop and Soundbooth are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. Microsoft, Windows and Windows Vista are either registered trademarks or are trademarks of Microsoft in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners

Xbox 360 gamers worldwide won’t have to wait until March 13, 2009 to get their hands on the highly-anticipated “Resident Evil 5.” The next installment of the landmark survival horror franchise from Capcom will take action to a new level with a two-level, playable demo available exclusively on Xbox 360 for one week beginning Monday, January 26.  In the demo, players will have a first glimpse of the fear they will never forget, as “Resident Evil 5” makes daylight just as terrifying as darkness. Additionally, a new exclusive high-definition trailer of the game, shown only at the past Tokyo Game Show in October of 2008, will be made available for download on the Xbox LIVE service on Friday, Jan. 16.
 
Fans will have the opportunity to experience “Resident Evil 5’s” revolutionary new features early, including two-player co-op with voice chat along with new characters, weapons and environments. The demo is set within two stages from the beginning of the game – Assembly Place and Shanty Town — featuring plenty of co-operative action, shooting, hordes of bloodthirsty infected Majini enemies and a few puzzles to round out the action. The demo has three levels of co-op play: single-player with AI support, two-player split-screen on a single Xbox 360 and two-player across Xbox LIVE.
Xbox 360 gamers will also be first to take on the new enemies in battle, including an army of weapon-wielding infected Majini, the gigantic hooded Majini Executioner and even the dreaded Chainsaw Majini. Players can also choose between the classic “Resident Evil”-style controls or switch to the newer “Action” controls inspired by games like “Gears of War 2” and “Halo 3.”
In this hotly anticipated new title coming on March 13, Chris Redfield returns as the “Resident Evil” hero and heads to Africa where the latest bioterrorism threat is literally transforming the people and animals of the city into mindless, maddened creatures.  Joining forces with a new partner, Sheva Alomar, the two must work together to discover the truth behind this evil plot. Utilizing the new co-op mode, players will be able to assume control of either Chris or Sheva and experience “Resident Evil” in new ways.

Sydney, Australia, January 15, 2009 – ASUS, worldwide technology leader in component and notebook design and manufacturing, unveiled an abundant array of products at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Focusing on the main theme of “Access Life with ASUS”, the rich assortment of products exhibited at CES 2009 aims to simplify users’ lives in the new digital age of today, and beyond tomorrow.

Livin’ the Eee life – Eee Tree
The first Eee PC released in 2007 paved the way with its “Easy to learn, work and play” concept and pioneered the netbook generation. Petite and portable, shockproof design for open-air computing and the ASUS-exclusive Super Hybrid Engine (SHE) makes the Eee PC super-centric on all levels. The latest Eee PC offering showcased at CES 2009 – the Eee PC S101 and Eee PC S101H (hard disk version) – is stunningly styled for the fabulous fashionista. Eee PC S101 launched in Australia December 2008, Eee PC S101H to launch in Australia early February 2009

Extending on the Eee range, ASUS also unveiled the:

§       Eee Box – a compact, power-saving 1L-sized desktop PC that provides low-power computing with a minimal footprint; launched in Australia mid 2007

§       Eee Keyboard – a fully-functional PC and multi-media center enabled by ultra wideband HDMI which also serves as a wireless hub; TBA

§       Eee Stick – a Plug and Play full motion wireless gaming controller for the PC platform; TBA

§       Eee Top – an all-in-one touchscreen computer that boasts full regular desktop PC functionality; to launch in Australia end January / early February 2009

§       Eee PC T91 and T101H – efficient and elegant touch tablet portable computing. To launch in Australia early second half 2009
With the latest Eee range, ASUS is making convenience computing Eeeasy.

Substance and style – S121
The new S121 notebook is a versatile mobile companion for individuals who view technology as a tool of the trendy trade – computing that complements a get-up and a diverse lifestyle. In combining innovative technologies and a cutting edge design similar to that of the successful Eee PC S101 netbook, the S121 is a notebook that provides extensive multi-tasking capabilities and mobile performance that breezes through any occasion. Be it in the office or on the town, the S121 commands charm and permits productivity anywhere. To launch in Australia end first quarter / early second quarter 2009

Gaming as a force – G Series
Specifically designed for gamers, the ASUS G71 offers full-tilt performance as the leading Intel® Quad Core™ gaming notebook. Packed with extreme graphics capabilities and an emphasis on audio clarity and stunning graphics performance, the G71 delivers a total gaming experience in a highly portable package. As a dedicated gaming notebook, the G71 sports an impressive range of high performance components that delivers uncompromising multimedia entertainment and games, while on the move. Another G Series gaming notebook is the G50Vt which includes extreme performance graphic cards to offer vibrant visuals, as well as built-in ASUS-exclusive features such as Direct Messenger – a second display that lets users keep updated on emails and instant messages, or system information including CPU loading while game. G71 launched in Australia fourth quarter 2008, G50Vt TBA

Digital sports driving with Lamborghini
Whether you are looking for breakthrough mobile computing, or you are a poseur who stands out from the rest, the Lamborghini VX5 offers uncompromised style and superior performance. The latest offering in the ASUS Lamborghini Series is crafted using exceptional materials and details to make it look, feel and run like a supercar, taking users to another realm where power, speed, strength and beauty all complement each other perfectly. Packaged in the same sleek paint finish and subtle golden shimmer reminiscent of the iconic automobile, the Lamborghini VX5 comes in elaborate yellow for the flashy or modest black for the simple. In addition to the classic, yet structured lines of this fine piece of machinery, its pièce de résistance is the legendary Automobili Lamborghini logo. With its beautiful detailing and advanced performance, the Lamborghini VX5 is the ultimate machine impassioned by the Lamborghini’s soul – fast and fierce. To launch in Australia early second half 2009

Motherboards running riot
The ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) Rampage II Extreme is the motherboard for muscle gaming and holder of several world records for overclocking. Keeping in line with ROG’s commitment to producing cutting-edge, boundary-breaking products for serious gamers and overclockers, the ROG Rampage II Extreme incorporates the latest innovations and components into its architecture. Pushing the boundaries of the new Intel Core™ i7 platform to the limit, the ROG Rampage II Extreme allows for continuous improvements to existing overclocking world records. Other innovative features such as the ROG Extreme Engine and the premium Multilayer type Polymer Capacitors (ML Caps) push it to the limit with blistering speeds and performance, gratifying gamers the world over. Launched in Australia November 2008

The other mother – motherboard that is, is the new M4 Series which supports the latest AMD® processors. Consisting of a brand new motherboard design built from the ground up, the M4 Series motherboards feature a revolutionary 8-Phase power design to fully complement the next generation processor. To launch in Australia early February 2009

CES 2009 AWARD WINNERS

Silence is not golden – sound off
The Xonar HDAV1.3 Deluxe audio card features Protected Audio Playback Systems (PAPS) and full Advanced Access Content System (AACS) certification for non-down-sampled Blu-ray audio. It is capable of decoding Blu-ray movies and takes full advantage of lossless digital audio formats such as Dolby® TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio™ for professional, high-fidelity 24bit, 96-192Khz sounds. Equipped with a proprietary AV200 audio processor, HDMI1.3a certified Splendid HD video processor and an embedded HDMI port, the Xonar HDAV1.3 Deluxe delivers high definition audio and video for excellent entertainment, designed specifically for next-generation home theatre PCs (HTPCs). Launched in 2008

The P4-P5N9300 barebone PC is designed to be a user’s companion in daily life. It supports the latest graphic technologies including hybrid SLI, PhysX, and CUDA from NVIDIA; and an HDMI interface with HDCP for Full HD 1080P visuals. Fulfilling its role as a media center, the ASUS P4-P5N9300 is an attractive system designed to enhance a user’s digital lifestyle. TBA

The ASUS TW100-E5 Quadro FX470 workstation caters to the needs of professionals and power users alike by providing professional-grade and certified graphics solutions for graphics-intensive applications such as AutoCAD and Adobe. Not only can it expand users’ screen space for Quad-Display functionality, it is designed with the environment in mind and helps save energy, thereby reducing total cost of ownership (TCO). Recently launched in Australia

About ASUS
ASUS is a leading company in the new digital era. With a global staff of more than ten thousand and a world-class R&D design team, the company’s turnover for 2007 was 6.9 billion U.S. dollars. ASUS ranks among the top 10 IT companies in BusinessWeek’s “InfoTech 100”, and has been on the listing for 11 consecutive years. ASUS was also selected by the Wall Street Journal Asia as No.1 in quality and service in Taiwan. For more information, visit www.asus.com.au.